Staff report

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new free, self-paced online business course, “Native American Small Business Primer: Strategies for Success,” is now available to American Indian entrepreneurs to help them determine if they are ready for business ownership and to help them start their business.

The course provides an overview of basic business principles, and helps make American Indians aware of the programs and services available from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Karen Mills, the SBA’s administrator, said the course will enhance her agency’s efforts to provide important resources for emerging American Indian entrepreneurs.

“Our ultimate goal is to help create jobs and stimulate economic and business development in our Native American communities,” Mills said. “This course is an essential business development tool for the entrepreneur’s toolbox.”

The course emphasizes the need for business planning and market research before going into business; informs American Indian entrepreneurs about the legalities of starting a business, including the type of ownership (legal structure) and licensing; and provides key information on seed money for starting a business, raising capital, and borrowing money. There is also a section on how to estimate business start-up costs that can help assess the financial needs of going into business.

The course is available on the SBA’s Online Small Business Training web page under Online Courses for Starting Your Business at http://www.sba.gov/content/online-courses-starting-your-business.

Those completing the online program can earn a certificate from the SBA. The certificate includes the individual’s name, date and course title.

The Native American Small Business Primer course is one of about 30 online tutorials offered by the SBA’s Online Business Training site at www.sba.gov/training.