Media Release

Brad Rickelman, Assistant Director of the Center for Business Development (CBD) at Meridian Technology Center, will teach “Starting Your Business” at the Stillwater Public Library on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 10 a.m. This free two-hour class will equip new entrepreneurs with the information needed to get their startups off the ground.

Rickleman periodically teaches a beginning class at the library, covering core topics that can be especially challenging for new businesses. Those common challenges can include using market research, preparing financial estimates and identifying potential customers.

Rickelman also gives insights specific to current market trends. For example, according to Rickleman, the economy right now is strong, but that doesn’t mean that new businesses will take off quickly.

“The economy has been going great for a while now,” said Rickleman. “But I am starting to feel some softness in the market. Business startups need to be ready for a slower start and slower take-up by customers.”

Rickelman points out that despite recent closings of several local businesses during the last year, new businesses in the area can be successful. To do that, Rickelman says new owners must put in the work to understand who their business is targeting.

“If you have a solid, well-defined customer base, you should do fine,” said Rickleman. “But if the business is based on hoping to discover a customer base, it can be difficult.”

It is tips like this that have helped previous class attendees gain the confidence needed to move forward with their business plans.

According to former class participant Sarah Brown, Rickelman’s class provides participants with the information they need, but the positive environment at the program is equally important.

“Coming to the class helped me to see that others are in the same boat,” said Brown. “I would recommend the class because of the feeling of support and encouragement that I got.”

Attendees have the opportunity to learn about additional business education opportunities in the community, including those provided by the CBD and services through OSU’s Riata Center for Entrepreneurship, the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center and the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce.

“Starting Your Business” is free and open to the public. Registration is required but will be taken up to the day before the class. To register, visit the library’s website at http://library.stillwater.org, email askalibrarian@stillwater.org or call 405-372-3633 x8106.

For more information about Meridian’s CBD, visit http://www.meridiantech.edu.

Find information about Stillwater Public Library programs at http://library.stillwater.org.

The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.