The Center for Businesses in Transition (CBIT) has announced a lineup of new tools and virtual events to assist transitioning businesses.
CBIT’s new resources include a new website, a new guidebook for transitioning business owners, and a fall workshop series that covers topics relevant for transitioning businesses.
The six morning workshops will be hosted by partner organizations throughout the region and take place virtually via Zoom during the month of October. The first session, “Utilizing all of Your Transition Resources: Overcoming Common Obstacles,” will be held on Thursday, October 1st, from 8 to 9:15 am, hosted by Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Center’s new website, www.ownanorthcountrybusiness.com, is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to take over an existing business. It will highlight available ventures, local small business resources, as well as the region’s unique character and assets.
This month, the Center also published a guidebook for transitioning business owners — a localized how-to guide for navigating the multifaceted succession planning process. The document also highlights local free and low-cost resources to help business owners get started. The guidebook will be launched during the fall workshop series and is also available on the CBIT website.
Retiring business owners and entrepreneurs interested in taking over existing businesses are encouraged to register for some or all of the six workshops, which are free and open to the public. The sessions will also be recorded so interested business owners can view them at their convenience and as needed in the future.
Scheduled workshops include:
Thursday, October 1: “Utilizing all of Your Transition Resources: Overcoming Common Obstacles,” hosted by Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, October 8: “Your Best Possible Successor is Already Working for You, hosted by Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce”
Thursday, October 14: “Business Transitions Overview: Where Do You Start?,” hosted by Lewis County Economic Development/IDA
October 15: “Marketing Your Available Business,” hosted by The Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and The County of Franklin Economic Development/IDA
Wednesday, October 21: “Determining Value: Perspectives from Buyers and Sellers,” hosted by Hamilton County IDA
Thursday, October 27: “Not Just a Sale: The Role of Realtors in a Business Transition,” hosted by St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce
The first session, “Utilizing all of Your Transition Resources: Overcoming Common Obstacles,” will feature a panel of area resource providers including Carol Calabrese, Co-director of the Essex County Industrial Development Agency (IDA): Angela Smith, Certified Business Advisor for the SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Clinton Community College; Danielle Delaini, Business Transition Program Coordinator at ANCA; and Stephanie Donaldson, Business Counselor at the Adirondack Economic Development Corporation (AEDC).
Panelists will introduce their organizations and services and then be challenged by a “roll of the dice” to answer frequently asked questions from entrepreneurs and owners looking to transition into or out of a business.
North Country business owners looking to transition their operations to new owners or a new ownership model, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs looking to take over an existing business, are invited to contact the Center at transitions@adirondack.org or (518) 891-6200 for more information or to be connected with a community liaison. Information about the Center and its programs can be found on their website.
Photo of Owners Barb and Jerry Greer of The Circle Court Motel in Ticonderoga
Leave a Reply