Have you been thinking about starting or expanding a business venture? Take advantage of the next Mountain BizWorks Foundations Business Planning Course, beginning Tuesday, May 7, at the Mill Spring Agricultural Development Center in Mill Spring.

Foundations is designed for entrepreneurs with the vision and passion to start or expand a business idea.

In this eight-session course, participants write a business plan while learning about start-up and overhead costs, profit goals, cash flow, marketing plans, and licensing and record keeping – all while receiving direct, supportive feedback from the facilitator and other participants.

Local entrepreneur Suzanne Strickland of Stone Soup Market & Cafe took the foundations course in Polk County nine years ago, knowing she wanted to start her dream business: a local and fresh foods marketplace and deli in Landrum.

“I love to entertain, but always had to travel outside of my community to find the interesting ingredients and dishes I was looking for.”

The foundations experience provided Strickland with the basic business tools to get her business off the ground – but her customers have shaped the business from day one.

“I put a suggestion box out by the deli and the overwhelming responses were for us to become a full-service restaurant. We knew if we were going to succeed, we would have to give our customers what they wanted,” she said.

It’s this personal touch that has made all the difference.