Center invites entrepreneurs to conference

The Flory Small Business Center Inc. will host a full-day conference on “Start, Manage and Grow Your Business” Saturday at the Manassas Park High School.

Sponsored by the City of Manassas Park, the event will focus on information and materials to help entrepreneurs start, manage and expand in spite of today’s economy.

The city has a federal grant to help economic development in their community and is sponsoring this program as the third in a series of conferences discussing topics of interest to small business owners and prospective owners.

Mayor Frank Jones will serve as master of ceremonies for the event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Twenty speakers will discuss a variety of topics helpful to those starting a business and those already in business.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear Peter Farrell of Peter Farrell Supercars discuss “Creating or Reinventing Your Company Image.” He will be joined by a panel of four — Nancy Good, Temporary Solutions; Donna Flory, the Flory Small Business Inc.; Sarah Harrover, The Matrix Group; and Cindy Brookshire, writer and editor.

Why and how to write a business plan will be discussed. The moderator, Marie Leibson of Sonabank, will talk about the need for a business plan in order to finance for business growth. This will be followed by Linda Decker of The Flory Small Business Center Inc. on “Business Plan Narrative” and Bob Clark with the center on “Business Plan Financials” and a presentation from a successful business owner on the importance of completing and using a business plan.

Moderator Peter J. Pokorny, an attorney with the Interface Financial Group, will talk on “Selecting Your Business Entity.”

Rick Hendershot, CPA of Hendershot, Burkehardt and Reed and dean of academics at Strayer University, will give a presentation on “Internal Controls-Critical to Success.”

Among others, additional panelists for the segment are Clark “The IRS Calendar, Using Quickbooks;” and Martha Jones, “A Perfect Balance and When You are Ready to Outsource.”

The fee for the conference is $25 and includes breakfast,  materials, breaks and a seated and served catered lunch in the school’s atrium. Registration is required by calling 703- 335-2500.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.