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Business & Tech

How to Write a Successful Business Plan

BizLaunch holds small business seminar at Arlington Central Library.

On Tuesday night, BizLaunch of Arlington Economic Development (AED) held a free small business seminar for local area residents in the auditorium of the Arlington Central Library, titled "Writing a Successful Business Plan." 

The event was a how-to seminar on writing a successful business plan, but for the 53 attendees, it also served as an introduction about what it takes to start a small business.

The main speaker at seminar was Deric A. Mims, a Senior Vice President of SunTrust Bank.  Mims has been a volunteer instructor and guest lecturer at small business seminars for more than 15 years. 

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"Not everyone is cut out to be a successful entrepreneur," Mims candidly said at the onset of his presentation. "What this seminar is intended to do is show you how to take your vision, develop a strong business plan, and then decide if taking the next step and applying for a loan is something you really want to do."

In 2009, there was an increase in the number of Americans who decided to take that step and start a small business. According to figures from the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, more entrepreneurs launched new businesses in 2009 than at any other point during the past 14 years in the United States.

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Rebeca Blanco is a Business Consultant for Arlington's BizLaunch and helped organize Tuesday night's seminar. She said that in 2009, BizLaunch helped more than 600 small businesses and this year is shaping up to be even busier for the organization.

"In addition to hosting these seminars, we provide individual counseling and technical assistance, and we have seen a huge increase. We have back-to-back appointments all day long," Blanco said.  "A lot of people have gotten tired of looking for a job and recognize that they have connections and skills, and that entrepreneurship is a real option."

The seminar's attendees ranged in ethnicity, as well as age with some in their early thirties and others in their late fifties. One of the younger attendees was Julia Karell, who is at the beginning stages of starting a children's bookstore in the Arlington area.

"I have worked in local bookstores for a long time and I'm a librarian, and there's a real need in the community for a children's bookstore," said Karell. "This is my first BizLaunch event and I've heard good things about the organization."

Fausto Garces, owner of the successful Don Churro Café in Chantilly, also attended the event.  He said that it was always good to get a refresher on marketing and new technology, like the internet.

BizLaunch, as it is described on the AED website, is "your one-stop-shop for everything you'll need to know about starting or growing a business in Arlington."  Their next scheduled seminar, "Financing your Business," will take place on Oct. 26, at the Arlington Central Library.   

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