POULSBO — Kitsap Community Resources’ Business Education Support Training program, or BE$T, will offer free “Get Ready For Business” workshops and orientations at 10 a.m. Jan. 22 at Poulsbo City Hall and 10 a.m. Jan. 23 at Kitsap Community Resources in Bremerton.

Classes begin on Jan. 29 at Poulsbo City Hall and Jan. 30 at Kitsap Community Resources. Classes meet for 2.5 hours for eight weeks.

It is the first time the training has been offered in North Kitsap.

“The City of Poulsbo is excited to be hosting the BE$T program here at our City Hall, and believe the citizens of Poulsbo and the greater North Kitsap area now have convenient access to the valuable business training that Kitsap Community Resources offers,” Poulsbo Planning and Economic Development Director Barry Berezowsky said in an announcement of the program. “We encourage all business owners, and those thinking of starting a business, to explore this opportunity.”

BE$T program manager Dayna Ebersole said the free orientation is offered to would-be entrepreneurs “to help them determine if this is time to start a business of their own and to help those with an existing business to build a better foundation.”

Some of the topics covered in the orientation include developing the business concept, understanding the customer base and target markets, finding the break-even point, and cash flow, taxes, and money management.

There is a sliding fee scale based on household income (go to www.kcr.org/best.htm). BE$T is an approved Self Employment Assistance Program for those on unemployment who meet the qualifications.

The BE$T program consists of four phases:

— The free 2.5-hour “Get Ready for Business Workshop and Orientation,” where participants generate a snapshot of their business idea. It is the entry point into the eight-week class. Program applications are provided at orientation.

— A 20–hour training class to introduce entrepreneurs to the basics of understanding how to start, launch and manage a business. This class meets once a week for 2.5 hours for eight weeks.

— A three-month business support group to those who complete the eight-week basic business training and who have their business idea ready for further development.

— An advanced support group which meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. This phase is for those entrepreneurs who are ready and capable of expanding their business and have completed the first three program phases.

Financial reviews and introductions to non-profit micro-loan organizations are available to those who are ready. A network of successful program graduates and local business professionals provide support and technical assistance to those in the advanced program.

To reserve a seat at the orientation, contact Ebersole at debersole@kcr.org or 360-473-2141.