Free Course Helps Aspiring Business Owners

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Some of the best innovations and new businesses come out of difficult economic times.

For John Gallagher, analyzing projects is his life’s work.

Gallagher recently worked for a business that was concerned with how road construction at Morse Road and Cleveland Avenue would affect them, NBC 4‘s Mikaela Hunt reported.

The road is exactly where Gallagher got his latest business idea.

“I was stuck in traffic on (state Route) 315 and realized I may have a niche,“ Gallagher said.

So he took his skills and attended the B.A.S.E. course at Columbus State Community College.

The class is free and guided Gallagher on how to broaden his business through potential speaking opportunities and DVD and downloadable lectures that could be accessed online anywhere.

“It’s a good, basic course that applies to any business you want to start. It’s a good reality check to find out if you’re ready,“ Gallagher said.

One of the eye-opening parts of the course: participants take a test to see whether or not they would be good at starting up a business.

“Would you spend your entire life savings starting a business? You know, depending on how you answer that question, it will put you in a category,“ said David Rivers, CSCC business consultant.

Rivers said that if you’re willing to take a risk, the course may be the road for you.

“How many times have people started a business? Failed? Started another? Failed? Started another? Success? It happens when you go after it again and again,“ Rivers said.

Gallagher said he now knows how to work his business plan and how to conduct market research.

He said he hopes that within a year, the free class will pay off many times over.

A new course begins at CSCC at the end of each month.

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