Sometimes people need a little push to make their dreams into a reality. That push comes in the form of Project Open Doors, which offers entrepreneurs a chance to learn everything they need to know about launching their own businesses.

Modeled after the U.S. Department of Labor’s Project GATE (Growing America Through Entrepreneurship), Project Open Doors is a collaboration between Southern Maryland. Partners include Rural Maryland Council, College of Southern Maryland, Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and, of course, Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (TCCSMD) and Southern Maryland JobSource.

For four years, Project Open Doors has targeted long-term out-of-work people who want to open their own business in the state. The idea is to boost economic development in Southern Maryland.

Every year between five and 10 business owners are selected to participate in the hands-on business development intensive on the campus of the College of Southern Maryland. Business owners are taught the SBDC Strategic Growth Plan, which develops the five planning phases to make DOORS: affirming Dreams (goals); understanding Obstacles and Opportunities; identifying Resources and outlining Steps with a critical path.

Project Open Doors is offered four times a year. Participants receive a scholarship to participate, but before they are accepted, they are given a short online assessment to see how far they are in their business concept. Then they have a phone interview with SBDC counselors.

Pam Wilkerson, Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland and project lead with Project Open Doors, describes the program as a college-level course to help these new entrepreneurs how “to understand what it takes to launch your own business A to Z.”

Entrepreneurs learn how to learn to build a profitable business and to learn how to avoid the common first-time business owners pitfalls. Classes offered during the most recent session included how to write a business plan; small biz marketing on a shoestring; QuickBooks; legal and records management; financing your small business; buying a franchise; and government procurement.

Wilkerson said “it’s so much fun. It’s lighthearted, but it’s practical. People come out really surprised about they get out of this program. They get all the necessary tools all that business people need but they also learn a lot about themselves. They also get a lot of hands-on resources right at their fingertips for online community resources. It opens them up to a plethora of resources.”

At the end of the program, participants can then file for incorporation with the State of Maryland. And the SBDC consultants will continue to help in all phases of your business growth and development.

“You literally be ready to stand your business up with the tools you were able to ascertain through this phenomenal program,” Wilkerson said.

The program also shows that it’s successful with four to six out of 10 entrepreneurs setting up their business and continued to work with a counselor.

For more information about Project Open Doors, please contact Pam Wilkerson at pwilkerson@tccsmd.com.