Entrepreneurs looking to take their business skills to the next level will benefit from a weekly training program scheduled to begin Aug. 10 at Enterprise-Ozark Community College and later in September at the Greenville Chamber of Commerce.

The 10-week program, called NxLeveL Business Start-Up Training, is designed to teach the practical business skills needed to start, develop, and strengthen business ventures, according to Janet Kervin, Director of the Small Business Development Center at Troy University, one of the sponsoring agencies. “The strong point of NxLeveL is that you learn things at each session that you can apply to your business the next day,” Kervin said. “NxLeveL will show you how to build a comprehensive business plan.”

The program was developed by the Western Entrepreneurial Network at the University of Colorado at Denver and the curriculum and training materials are based on feedback from entrepreneurs in 48 states and 9 countries who have taken similar courses. “The fee for NxLevel is usually $500, however, we have received a grant from the Small Business Administration Defense Economic Assistance Program to offer the training a greatly reduced price,” Kervin said.

The training in Enterprise will feature: John Buck, owner of Sanbuck Insurance Agency in Enterprise, speaking on different types of insurance needs in the commercial arena; Chad Tindol, a partner with Marsh, Cotter and Tindol, addressing legal issues; Barbara and Ben Mozo, owners of CEP, Inc. in Enterprise, sharing their entrepreneurial success story; and, David Leonard, chief of lender marketing, oversight and training with the U.S. Small Business Administration of Alabama, presenting the requirements and procedures for the SBA loan programs and guaranty financing.

In addition to the Small Business Development Center, NxLeveL is sponsored by the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Ozark Community College, the Enterprise Coffee Geneva Economic Development Corp. and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays in Enterprise from 5:30-8:30 p.m. in TA 130 on the EOCC campus. Call the Small Business Development center at 334-670-3771 to register and inquire about the program schedule for Greenville.

The cost of the program is $150, which includes the cost of the textbook, workbook and resource guide. Seating is limited and reserved for the first 25 registrants.