Chautauqua County Executive Gregory Edwards announces the First Chautauqua County Veterans Small Business Seminar will be held Saturday, May 30 at the Chautauqua Suites Meeting & Expo Center in Mayville. The event is designed for current Veteran small business owners, those who wish to become future small business owners, and is also open to the general public.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. with light refreshments offered as the Exhibitor Showcase opens. Exhibitors will be on hand to discuss economic development incentives, business planning, tax credits and abatements, loan financing, franchising and support, site location assistance, and hiring. The Exhibitor Showcase will continue until 1 p.m.
Throughout the morning three workshop sessions will be offered simultaneously at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:30am: “From Boots to Business – Business Planning 101,” provided by the Small Business Development Center; “Show Me the Money – Loan Programs,” provided by the New York Business Development Corporation and the Small Business Administration; and “Franchising Basics” featuring three segments: Franchise Support provided by Andy Klie of International Franchise Association, VetFran, and Franchise Development & Marketing Group with a discussion about “franchising,” pros and cons, and things to consider; Franchise Experience provided by Victor Tarana, owner and proprietor of three Tim Hortons and one Cold Stone Creamery discussing his experience entering the franchise business and lessons learned; and Franchisor Experience provided by Ken Jezioro, President, Shield Security Systems discussing his experience as a franchisor and “how to decide which type of franchise is a ‘good fit’ for you.”
