FLINT, Michigan — To support the growth and success of small businesses in the community,
100K Ideas is offering free monthly QuickBooks training sessions to local entrepreneurs. The initiative aims to equip business owners with essential financial management skills to better manage their finances and make informed business decisions.
According to 100K Ideas Space Manager, Kesten Coulter, 100K Ideas marketing specialist, “Financial assistance has always been a topic of conversation amongst the clients we serve, allowing us to see that it was a barrier for many entrepreneurs out there. When opening our 100K Ideas Startup Hub, which is a resource center for entrepreneurs to have a workspace with helpful amenities, an important component was providing access to some of our ecosystem partners who are professionals in their industry. With the
John L. Group being a partner in the financial field, we saw the potential to add this training as a huge benefit to our clients, as well as others from the community.”
The training sessions, which are held monthly at no cost to participants, focus on introducing business owners to the fundamentals of QuickBooks, a leading accounting software. These sessions provide an invaluable resource to those looking to streamline their financial processes, a crucial skill for any business, particularly small startups or independent entrepreneurs.
Many small business owners face significant challenges when it comes to financial management whether it's tracking expenses, managing cash flow, or preparing for tax season. A lack of financial literacy can hinder a business's ability to grow.
“One of the biggest mistakes small business owners make is putting their finances at the bottom of the priority list,” says Luther Brown, chief operating officer of John L Financial Services. “Many small business owners understand that they are making money and they also have to spend money, but they have no idea how much money they are really spending and making until they need to apply for a small business grant and need to show their financials.”
QuickBooks, as an easy-to-use accounting tool, can simplify many of these tasks, giving business owners greater control over their financial operations. This is especially important for businesses that may not have access to a dedicated accountant or bookkeeper.
“We believe QuickBooks is a great tool for financial management. We believe that when used correctly, it provides a clear, accurate picture of your organization's financial health,” says Brown.
Each training session offered by 100K Ideas is designed to be both informative and accessible. Whether participants are completely new to QuickBooks or have some experience but need a refresher, the program provides a structured approach to learning.
“During these sessions, Luther talks to each attendee about their needs, individually, and runs them through examples of how they would go about utilizing the program to better suit their needs,” says Coulter. “Some aspects of the program talked about are profit and loss, expenses, inventory, and more. Attendees are able to take this knowledge and bring it back to their businesses, either taking it on their own from there or attending future sessions to receive more assistance as they progress.”
Participants can expect hands-on learning opportunities where they are guided through key QuickBooks features such as tracking income and expenses, invoicing, and generating financial reports. The goal is to ensure that all attendees leave the training with practical knowledge they can immediately apply to their businesses.
According to Coulter, 100K Ideas continues to support the financial health of local businesses by offering additional benefits to
Startup Hub members.
“We offer a year’s subscription to QuickBooks for free to eligible members of our Startup Hub,” says Coulter. “The Startup Hub costs $29.99 per month and not only gives you access to this benefit, but offers a range of great amenities ranging from workspace, wifi, conference room access, access to additional resource partners, and more. With that, attending the training is open to anyone in the public; a Startup Hub membership is not required for attendance.”
John L Financial Services hosts QuickBooks training every second and fourth Friday of the month from 12 PM-1 PM at 100K Ideas, located at 601 S. Saginaw Street. To learn more about 100K Ideas, visit: 100kideas.org
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