Northeast Oregon Economic Development District will offer a free six-week workshop series to help entrepreneurs and small-business owners build the basis for a successful enterprise.

The courses will be taught Thursdays at Wallowa Resources, 401 NE First St., Enterprise, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25 and Nov. 1. Another set of courses will be taught in Baker City and La Grande.

Registration closes Sept. 21. Class sizes are limited.

Call 541-426-3598 or 800-645-9454 or email kristyathens@neoedd.org. Preference is made to people with low to moderate incomes; income verification is required.

Lisa Dawson has taught the Business Foundations program for more than 10 years, and her students — existing and aspiring entrepreneurs in Baker, Union and Wallowa counties — continue to give her rave reviews.

This hands-on class covers the basics of running a successful business: overhead and inventory costs, goal-setting and sales projections, marketing, taxes and licensing, and other considerations and brings it all together in a business plan.

Thanks to a Community Development Block Grant from city of La Grande, the classes are offered free.

Workshop topics include the following:

• Gaining Perspective: Consider your business concept.

Laying the Foundation: Define line of business and analyze financial essentials from overhead costs to break-even point.

• Getting into the Flow: Cover the financial essentials of cash flow, sales forecasting, and financial documents.

• Mission and Markets: Revisit mission, discuss market research, and identify competitors in order to align with target markets.

• Get the Word Out: Discuss creative marketing strategies and give peer feedback on marketing materials.

• Goodbye and Good Luck: Present business plans, share final pitch and plan for next steps.