This class is eligible for the City of Austin Business Skills Certificate and provides a clear path forward for getting your business started. By the end of the session, you’ll know what paperwork needs to be filed with the state, how to evaluate your competition and assess the market, and what you need to consider for getting started. In addition to logistics like location, hiring, and insurance, we’ll cover something important you might not have thought about: the best mindset for running your own business. If you are a freelancer, a creative or consultant considering an official launch of your own independent business, this class is a good fit for you too. Founders are encouraged to invite key stakeholders and partners in the business as well. Participants will also get a free toolkit - a collection of helpful resources, templates, forms, worksheets, guides and sofware to help you hit the ground running after class.

*Earn A Business Skills CertificateThis workshop is eligible for the City of Austin Business Skills Certificate program. Participants who complete six different eligible courses in the program are recognized in a public awards ceremony & reception with other local business and community leaders. View eligible classes here -- http://bit.ly/AustinSkillsCertificate

Hybrid - Virtual Participation Option This class will be held in-person at the City's Small Business Training Room, Suite 300. We have added the option to participate virtually, as needed. We understand that there are some difficulties with attending in person classes, because of childcare and other challenges. We strongly encourage in-person attendance - so much happens in the classroom, and there is great networking to be had with other participants, in the room. But if virtual is the best option for you, you are welcome to register using that ticket option. You will get instructions for how to join the class virtually via email.

Where is the Small Business Training Room?The Economic Development Division is localed at 5202 E. Ben White Blvd.Austin, Texas. The easiest way to access the Small Business Training Room for this class is to park on the Southeast side of the building in the large parking lot. (lower right in the image below) Then enter the building through a glass door marked Suite 300. The classroom is right there.

The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request - including translation and interpretation services. For assistance, please contact the Economic Development Department at 512-974-7819. The City receives and accepts Video Relay Service (VRS) calls from people who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing through Relay Texas 7-1-1.