The Ferdinand HomeTown Competitiveness (FHTC) program, under the direction of the Entrepreneurship Pillar, has been focusing on how to encourage our present entrepreneurs and, perhaps, how to inspire the potential or budding entrepreneurs in our area.  The encouragement of existing and new entrepreneurship opportunities is crucial to the future vitality of our community.  Look around you…Best Home Furnishings was built by an entrepreneur.  Seufert Construction, Bettag’s Plumbing, Uebelhor Television…and that’s just a few!  Our town was quite literally built on the hard work of some very successful entrepreneurs.

Study after study shows that the success and survival of communities—small or large—depends on the retention and development of its entrepreneurial community.  We are here to support you whether you are a well established entrepreneur or are just curious about what it would take to bring your entrepreneurial initiative to life.

Entrepreneurial Mentor Support Group

Whether you are just starting out, just have an idea and want to run it past someone, or even if you’re more established, the FHTC Entrepreneurial Mentor Support Group is here to assist you if ever you have questions or concerns.  This group is comprised of local entrepreneurs from all walks of life—banking, insurance, accounting, marketing, etc.  This group has been there and done that and can be of extreme benefit to ANY entrepreneur.  We can help you fine-tune your ideas, so that they might be more favorably accepted.  Contact Jim Hagedorn to arrange a meeting with the Entrepreneurial Mentor Support Group at jkhagedor@psci.net.  

Entrepreneurship Playbook

Especially beneficial if you’re just starting out, this “playbook” breaks down the necessary steps to formulating a business plan, including links to online templates, etc.  This has been a wonderful tool and can be downloaded (in pdf format) by clicking here.

Four Seasons for Business Seminar Series

An ongoing effort, the Four Seasons for Business seminar series will host its third function on Wednesday, March 17, at the Ferdinand Community Center beginning at 6:30 p.m.  The event is free and is a very valuable networking function that allows time for potential, budding, and existing entrepreneurs time to socialize and learn best practices from each other.  Each Four Seasons for Business event also offers a marketing session with Tonya Brothers-Bridge, President of the locally-owned Transformation Team.  The March 17 seminar will feature a short speech followed by a question and answer session with local entrepreneur and inventor (Crane), John Schneider.

Previously, the seminars have featured Jasper Mayor Bill Schmitt (speaking on the importance of entrepreneurs) and Mike Johannes, sales director at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari (speaking on the importance of entrepreneurs to not only Holiday World, but the surrounding area).

Entrepreneur Development Guidelines Playbook

The Entrepreneurship development guidelines have been designed by the Ferdinand Community Entrepreneurship Pillar Team and the Ferdinand Chamber of Commerce in order to assist budding entrepreneurs as they work to take an entrepreneurial idea or dream and nurture it to an entrepreneurial reality within our community or surrounding area.