The Forge small businesses classes taking registration for Aug. 20-Oct. 1 session

For the eighth year, small businesses and entrepreneurs ready to turn ideas into action are invited to take part in The Forge Business Classes sponsored by Alluvial Private Wealth.

Marion Technical College will hold the weekly classes Tuesdays Aug. 20-Oct. 1. The classes are free to any small business owner with 50 or fewer employees or with those looking to start a business. The top students will compete for a $2,500 prize in a “Shark Tank”-style competition Oct. 8.

“It’s a great business incubator. I think new businesses should participate. You learn valuable info. There are a lot of benefits. And it’s free,” said Ana Griffith-Malone, owner of Busy B cleaning.

Malone was a participant of The Forge and a finalist in one of the Alluvial Private Wealth Forge competitions.

Other past participants include Attaboys, Ability Vending, The Explore-It-Torium Children’s Museum, Jordan Energy Alternative, Sights Unseen Travel Agency, PFM Fleet Service, Leading Ladies (now the Legacy Mentoring Group), Presidential Cleaning Services, Spruce and Sparrow and The Sweada Mae Art Café.

They have created dozens of new local jobs.

When business grows, the community benefits

“The Forge is awesome. It’s a great way for a new business. There’s so much to learn − from the start-up to marketing − there’s so much. It definitely helped me take my business to the next level,” said Jill Chitwood, owner of Sights Unseen. “They introduce you to contacts to help you make your business even better. We improved our business plan and were able to grow.”

“When small businesses start or grow and succeed, the whole community benefits,” said Mike Augenstein, director of Workforce Solutions at Marion Tech. “Please help us spread the word. We don’t want any businesses to miss out on this opportunity to level up.”

The 2017 Leadership Marion class of the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce founded the Forge after a study that showed Marion needed more small businesses, which are key to building wealth in a community.

For more information, including a list of past winners, go to TheForgeClasses .

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: The Forge small businesses classes taking registration for Aug. 20-Oct. 1 session