Smcc

GODFREY LAKE, owner, Lake Electric. Incubator Student '06.

Many people dream of starting their own business but do not know the decisions that are necessary to insure success. SMCC's certificates in Entrepreneurship & Business Ownership focus on a business's start-up and early growth stages, and allow students to choose additional course based on background and interest, including marketing, new product and service design, financial accounting, principles of management, and advertising. 

SMCC’s student incubator program is a unique option for students who are starting a new business or wanting to grow an existing one. The business incubator program resides within The SMCC Entrepreneurial Center and is designed to support both emerging and active entrepreneurs. The Incubator program assists emerging entrepreneurs in building a solid foundation for their new business. We also assist active entrepreneurs in growing their business to the next level or getting a struggling business back on track. Students in the incubator program receive business coaching, rent-free office space in the Entrepreneurial Center and the use of office equipment. Our main goal is to help student entrepreneurs build and grow successful businesses.  

Students in the incubator program will:
•    Set clear business goals
•    Participate in business coaching to help achieve set goals
•    Network with other student entrepreneurs
•    Be referred to outside resources when necessary
•    Be provided a business space on campus to run their business
•    Receive help from business partners in their industry

If you currently own a business or have a great idea for a business, come visit us. We’d love to talk with you further about your business goals and to help you decide if the incubator program is right for you.

Business Start-up Certificate

The six-credit Business Start-Up Certificate offers two important "getting started" courses: Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Growing Your Business. The courses are ideal for students who are enrolled in the technical trades and hope to start their own enterprise in plumbing, computer science, construction technology, landscaping or many other trade areas. The courses will focus on the key elements of a business plan and even offer a limited opportunity for students to begin their business ventures on campus.

Certificate of Business Ownership

This 15 credit certificate aligns well with the business or general studies major who seeks more comprehensive knowledge of business ownership skills. Courses include Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Growing Your Business, Product Design, Marketing, Sales, Managing Your Money and more.

Non-credit Courses in Entrepreneurship

The Entrepreneurial Center offers non-credit courses for business start-ups on a regular basis. These courses are designed for both degree-seeking and non-degree seeking students who wish to develop various elements of their business knowledge

SMCC Incubator Students:

2009
MaryAnn Aresti, Children’s Bookstore
Paul Belanger, Lost Luggage Studios, www.lostluggagestudios.com
Lauryn Goyet, Singer
Will Harrison: Harrison Excavating
Tylor McKenzie, MacDaddy Productions
Chris Phillips, Portland Sustainable Horticulture
Rob Schreiber, Insurance
Colleen Spears, Colleen Spears Photography, www.colleenspearsphotography.com
Kathleen West, Walnut Hill Equestrian Center, http://walnuthillec.com/index.htm

2008
Michael Moran, Titan Vending (2008 KeyBank Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award)
Hannah Schulz, Southern Maine Aquatic Center
Bobbie Lee Russell, Colori Designs

2007
John LaFosse, Gardener Johngo (2007 KeyBank Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award)

2006
Laurie Reynolds, Blossoms of Windham (2006 KeyBank Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award)

2005
Godfrey Lake, Lake Electric (2005 KeyBank Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award)

For more information please contact:

Michelle Neujahr
The Entrepreneurial Center
mneujahr@smccme.edu, 207-741-5936