Date: Thursday, February 3, 2011
Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm
Location: Palo Alto
Instructor: Nicole Winkler-Schaefer
Cost: $50

The Confident Entrepreneur is an interactive class in which students learn and practice techniques to increase their confidence in presenting their services/products, and thereby grow their business. Students will be coached to determine what makes them stand out apart from their competition and how to leverage their edge. Students will also gain greater clarity on who their target audience truly is, develop an 'elevator pitch' that allows them to communicate their vision to potential partners and customers, and learn surprisingly simple methods to build rapport and expand business contacts.

Dates: Thursday, February 3, 2011
          Thursday, February 10, 2011
          Thursday, February 17, 2011
          Thursday, February 24, 2011
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Palo Alto
Instructor: Carolina Miranda
Cost: $200

Participants will develop their business plan during this series of 4 classes. This fast-paced series will introduce participants to the importance of the business planning process and the elements of a business plan, including developing the business concept, conducting market research and developing a financial plan. All participants will be provided with a business plan template and work will be required between sessions.

Date: Monday, February 7, 2011
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Palo Alto
Instructor: Tom Gilmer/Y.K. Ho
Cost: $50

This course is for employees who are paid on a straight commission basis.  Participants will learn how to claim unreimbursed employee expenses as a deduction on their personal tax returns, how to treat expenses reported to the employer, and what to expect if audited.  There will be an extensive discussion of the tax treatment and special conditions applicable to common business deductions (vehicle mileage expense, meal & entertainment expense, office in the home expense, and travel expense).  Comprehensive instructions on keeping adequate records to support business deductions and a simplified system for these filing records will be presented.  The final topic will be whether or not to use a professional tax preparer, what services to expect if one is used, and how to minimize the cost of using a tax professional.

Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am
Location: Palo Alto
Instructor: Tom Gilmer/Y.K. Ho
Cost: $50

Participants will learn how the IRS computes the income of a sole proprietorship and how this information is reported on a personal tax return. Particular emphasis will be placed on how social security taxes are handled. There will be an extensive discussion of tax treatment and special conditions applicable to various common business deductions (vehicle mileage expense, meal & entertainment expense, office in the home expense, travel expense, and contract employee expense). Comprehensive instructions on keeping adequate records to support business deductions and a simplified system for these filing records will be presented.  The final topic will be whether or not to use a professional tax preparer, what services to expect if one is used, and how to minimize the cost of using a tax professional.

Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Palo Alto
Instructor: Kirsten Weiss
Cost: $50

In this 2-hour class participants will learn about the types of risk faced by entrepreneurs, how to assess their own risk tolerance, and how to mitigate risk through insurance.  They will also learn how to calculate, track, and manage their business’s burn rate.  The class will conclude with a discussion about long-term financial planning for the entrepreneur and how to develop the business’s exit strategy.

Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Palo Alto
Instructor: Carolina Miranda
Cost: $50

Participants in this 2-hour class will be introduced to the basic process of developing a business plan. The class is designed for busy people who are looking to develop their own business plan. We will discuss the importance of the business planning process and review the elements of a business plan, including conducting market research and developing a financial plan. All participants will be provided with a business plan template and additional resources.

Date: Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Time: 9:30AM - 11:30AM
Location: Palo Alto
Instructor: Tom Gilmer/Y.K. Ho
Cost: $50

This course covers the issues business owners encounter when hiring an employee or using an independent contractor.  Participants will learn about the tax and legal implications of hiring an employee versus engaging the services of an independent contractor.  Students will be instructed on workman compensation insurance requirements, necessary IRS and EDD paperwork, and the risks of “under the table payments” to non-employees.  Payroll rules, reporting requirements (including EFTPS), and types of payroll services will be discussed.

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