LANGLEY, Whidbey Island, WA (June 21, 2017) – Goosefoot is continuing to offer workshops to assist entrepreneurs in getting their businesses off the ground, and to help established businesses in specialized areas. Classes have been scheduled through July 2017, and while no workshops take place in August, a new series of workshops will be offered starting in September 2017.

Workshops are free and take place at the old Bayview School Building, 5611 Bayview Road, Langley, in the upper-level classroom. Full details can be found at www.whidbeykitchen.org. There is also a commercial kitchen survey accessible on the website which Goosefoot encourages anyone interested in using a commercial kitchen to fill out.

Goosefoot is currently working with the Port of South Whidbey to establish a full-service commercial kitchen on South Whidbey, and some workshops may be of particular interest to food entrepreneurs, such as Introduction to Food Business Licensing Requirements and Costs. In this workshop, participants will not only learn about licensing requirements for different products and costs incurred before even stepping into a kitchen, but also about locally available small business resources and loans. Please note that this workshop has been rescheduled from Tuesday, July 25, and will instead take place on Thursday, July 27. All other details remain the same.

The majority of the workshops can apply to any small business. Goosefoot offers classes on business planning, marketing, pricing your product, writing business plans, and using social media. Goosefoot has partnered with the staff of both the Island County Economic Development Council (ICEDC) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Mt. Vernon to offer these opportunities.

Goosefoot, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission includes local economic development, is currently working with the Port of South Whidbey to further develop and expand an existing commercial kitchen currently existing at the Island County Fairgrounds.

Goosefoot encourages those needing a commercial kitchen now to contact the following facilities available for rental to food businesses: Island County Fairgrounds Kitchen, JW Desserts, and Lavender Wind Farm.

To register for the workshops (all free of charge), please email marian@goosefoot.org or call 360-321-4145.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Each workshop is repeated at least one time.
Workshops are listed first chronologically and then by workshop titles and dates offered.

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST

Pricing Your Product
Tuesday, June 27 from 6 to 8 p.m.

How to Start a Business
Monday, July 3 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Building a Marketing Plan
Monday, July 10 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

YouTube, Twitter, & More
Wednesday, July 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Introduction to Food Business Licensing Requirements & Costs
Thursday, July 27 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

LISTED BY TOPIC

How to Start a Business
Learn why business planning is important, and receive an overview of critical things to consider before you ever apply for a business license. Led by Ron Nelson, executive director, Island County Economic Development Council.
Monday, July 3 from 1  to 3 p.m.

Building a Marketing Plan
Increase the effectiveness of your marketing by laying out a plan with goals, a schedule, and measures of success. Led by Sami Postma, Program Director, Island County Economic Development Council.
Monday, July 10 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Introduction to Food Business Licensing Requirements & Costs
Learn about the licenses and permits you’ll need to get your food business going. Led by Marian Myszkowski, director of programs, Goosefoot.
Thursday, July 27 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Facebook & Instagram
Learn how to navigate the ad system, the differences in attracting users, and some creative applications to make these tools work for your business. Led by Sami Postma, program director, Island County Economic Development Council.
Wednesday, June 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Pricing Your Product
In this workshop, examine pricing strategies that maximize your value and income. Led by Tony Salas, certified business advisor, Small Business Development Center.
Tuesday, June 27 from 6 to 8 p.m.

YouTube, Twitter, & More
Learn how a small business can put social media to the best use, and how you can tell your story and connect with potential customers through a successful strategy. Led by Sami Postma, program director, Island County Economic Development Council.
Wednesday, July 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.