FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

BEDC OFFERING TWO ENTREPRENEUR WORKSHOPS IN JUNE

BROOKLYN, NY-May 25, 2001-Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is offering two workshops in June for entrepreneurs and individuals interested in starting their own business.

The first workshop Owning Your Own Business: Dream or Nightmare will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday June 7. The second workshop, The Business Plan will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 21. Both sessions will be presented at BEDC's office, 175 Remsen Street, Suite 350, and participants have the option of enrolling in one session or both. The fee for one session is $25 and the fee for two sessions is $40.

Owning Your Own Business will examine the following: why most small businesses fail; essential functions of a business; participant's strengths, weaknesses, and goals; profile of the entrepreneur; impact of starting a business on family, friends, finances, and lifestyle, and the importance of a business plan.

The Business Plan will examine the following: why it is essential to have a business plan; the mission, goal and objectives of the business; identifying opportunities, competitors, customers, and resources; developing an overview of the industry; advantages and disadvantages of the business in the market place, and elements of a business plan.

The workshops will be presented by Brooklyn entrepreneur, Irene LoRe, co-owner of Aunt Suzie's Restaurant, which has been in operation for 14 years in Park Slope. Ms. LoRe is an adjunct professor of management and entrepreneurial policy at Pace University, Graduate School and a management consultant to small and medium-sized companies in entrepreneurial strategies, management and sales training, marketing, speech writing, and coaching. Since 1982, Ms. LoRe has been a principal in six entrepreneurial ventures surviving interest rates of 16 percent, three mayors, two recessions, and labor gluts and shortages.

In addition, Ms. LoRe is chairperson of Community Board Six in Brooklyn, serves on the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and the Business Committee of the Prospect Park Alliance, and is a member of the Fifth Avenue Merchants Association. She received a BS degree from St. John's University, MA degree from Teachers Colleges, Columbia University, and MBA from Baruch College.

BEDC, a private, nonprofit organization, was established in 1979 to stimulate Brooklyn's economy and create job opportunities for the borough and its residents. BEDC has evolved into a multi-service, business-consulting agency, serving more than 1,000 clients annually and offering comprehensive economic development services. BEDC also offers a number of loan programs to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

To register or for more information, please contact Michael Sharp at 718-522-4600, ext. 17, or msharp@bedc.org. For more information about BEDC, please see www.BEDC.org.