Wiregrass Georgia Technical College announces the Virtual Fall Guardian Bank Entrepreneurship Academy starting in October, free for current Wiregrass students and alumni. The UGA Small Business Development Center at Valdosta State University is partnering with Guardian Bank and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College to deliver six courses with 12 hours of total class time.  The business topics to be discussed include: writing a business plan, money finance and accounting, marketing, human resources, and strategic planning. The courses will have knowledgeable speakers in specialized business areas, self-evaluation, and opportunities to participate in question and answer time with guest speakers. The UGA SBDC will also provide one-on-one consulting for participants.

This Entrepreneurship Academy is made possible thanks to the generous pledge of $50,000 over a 5-year period by Guardian Bank. “This provides a wonderful opportunity for many of our students who have career goals of starting their own business,” shared Wiregrass President Dr. Tina K. Anderson.  “Any graduates who are looking to start their own business, the Entrepreneurship Academy can provide valuable knowledge.” 

“Guardian Bank is proud to financially support a viable community partnership which provides strong support for those individuals wishing to enter into the small business arena,” added Guardian Bank CEO Parrish Clark. “We were especially interested in touching the lives of those who possess a creative spirit for owning their own business and becoming an integral part of the local economy. Guardian Bank looks forward to a productive relationship with Wiregrass Technical College and VSU’s Small Business Development Center.”

The dates of the classes are October 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4, and 11.  All classes begin at 1:00 pm and end at 3:00 pm.  The classes will be held at virtually, students will be able to “tune in” live at 1 pm to interact with the facilitators or view the recorded sessions. 

If you are seeking to learn strategies to start or grow your business, visit georgiasbdc.org/wiregrass, or call 229-245-3738 or 229-333-2124.  There is special pricing available for the public to attend the Guardian Bank Entrepreneurship Academy at Wiregrass, those interested would need to register with the UGA Small Business Development Center at Valdosta State University at 229-245-3738.