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The New Jersey Redevelopment Authority (NJRA) this week announced the launch of a new small business initiative that aims to help Garden State entrepreneurs grow and succeed.

The program kicks off Sept. 12 with an inaugural session, Small Business 101: Wellness Check – How to Evaluate the Health of Your Small Business, that is designed to equip small business owners with knowledge and skills that will help to assess the overall health and performance of their businesses.

The session, hosted via the NJRA’s Training Institute, will be held virtually from 10 a.m. to noon. Pre-registration is available here.

Speakers for the session include:

• Rose Marie Iskowitz, CEO and digital revenue strategist at ClickStartBiz
• Alex Rivera, director of the Center for Economic & Workforce Development, Innovation, & Social Entrepreneurship at the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research
• Wayne Staub, chief business relations officer at the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA)

“Our mission extends beyond revitalizing communities; it’s about empowering the very engines that drive these communities – small businesses,” said Leslie Anderson, president and CEO of NJRA, in a press release. “’Small Business 101: Wellness Check’ is a testament to providing entrepreneurs with the tools they need to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.”

Remaining sessions in the program include: Getting Your Financial House in Order; Digital Marketing/Advertising Resources to Build Your Business; and Workforce Analysis and Economic Outlook.

NJRA says that throughout the course, participants will be introduced to a wide range of key performance indicators (KPIs), methodologies and best practices that effectively evaluate the health of small businesses.

By the conclusion of the course, the Authority boasts that participants will be equipped to:

• Grasp the significance of business health in driving success;
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of their businesses, considering financial, operational, marketing, and customer satisfaction aspects;
• Identify industry-specific KPIs relevant to their business models;
• Analyze and interpret financial statements to gauge financial stability;
• Implement strategies for better cash flow management, cost reduction, and increased profitability;
• And much more.

More information about the training institute and upcoming workshops is available here.

Another new resource

Atlantic Cape Community College’s new Cape May County bizHub will offer free and low-cost services to support business owners and those interested in growing their skillset or starting a business. Click here to learn more.

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