Special to
L’Observateur

RESERVE — A 10-session successful-business training workshop is available for small and emerging businesses in St. John Parish at cost of $10 a session. 

The St. John the Baptist Business Training Center invites all to participate in the second FastTrac training program, which starts Sept. 10.

FastTrac consists of 10 sessions aimed at providing the tools necessary for managing a successful business.

Interested participants can attend a free overview and registration session from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 27 or Sept. 3.

Organizers said FastTrac is a nationally recognized entrepreneurial-training program developed by the Kaufman Foundation, a recognized leader in entrepreneurship.

The program begins Sept. 10, with classes being held on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

All classes will be held at the St. John Business Training Center, 181 Regala Park Road in Reserve. 

Organizers said at a value of $1,125, the cost is $100 to local businesses or $10 per session.

Three critical outcomes of the FastTrac program are:

PERSONAL — to experience a planning process to build confidence and understand business ownership.

INTERNAL — to ensure alignment of all aspects of the business.

EXTERNAL — to communicate goals to external parties.

Through FastTrac, participants will have the tools to respond to changes that can impact their business and to build an actionable business plan.  

During the program participants will receive a practical business education to build a profitable and sustainable business, a program workbook, lifetime access to online FastTrac toolkit, an assigned business coach during the program and free, unlimited assistance from LSBDC business consultants.

Upon completion of the program, participants will have a completed business plan, be eligible to apply for a business loan with the Louisiana Federal Credit Union and be eligible to apply for funding assistance for selected managerial and technical assistance projects.

Interested participants can contact Dr. Mike Cusack, Fastrac program manager, at 504-352-0230 or mcusack@lsbdc.org.

The Business Training Center is a partnership of St. John the Baptist Parish Economic Development, Louisiana Eco-nomic Development, Louisiana Small Business Development Center and the South Central Louisiana Technical College.