“I believe this course would be a great starting point for military spouses who want to bring in extra income by starting their own businesses,”
Wagner’s innovative Business Money Matters for the New Entrepreneur course begins July 19, 2007 online. It’s the first cyber course that focuses strictly on the financial aspects of creating, launching and sustaining a new business. She’s offering a $100 discount to all active duty and military spouses to reach out to the community she still considers herself a part of.
“There are plenty of courses out there that give entrepreneurs a good, basic idea of how to get started, but without the right financial tools, it’s virtually impossible to start out and stay strong,” Wagner said. “In my other classes, I’ve found business owners usually are not very knowledgeable about creating a financial business plan and making wise choices with their money. That’s why I developed this new program.”
Wagner is focusing her course on how to create a financial business plan, bookkeeping, determine operating costs, startup costs, establishing business credit and other details that build the foundation of a strong business.
According to the Department of Defense, more than 65 percent of spouses work, and about 90 percent would like to if only they could find a job that fits the military lifestyle. That’s why launching their own businesses is so appealing to so many spouses. These entrepreneurs have ambition, talent and creativity on their side, but not the odds. According to the U.S. Small Business Association, only two-thirds of small business startups survive the first two years, and fewer than half survive the first four.
“Small businesses often fail because of lack of cash flow, lack of planning, not knowing who their competition is, how to price their product, how to establish business credit – the list goes on and on,” Wagner said. “Launching a new business is really brutal, but if you know how to organize your finances and plan for the long term, you can make it.”
Students who’ve participated in a preview of the longer course praise Wagner’s attention to detail, enthusiasm and thoroughness.
“Her insight to starting a new business has been invaluable. Dr. Taffy's style of teaching is modern and down-to-earth, with lessons that are easy to understand,”
Stephanie Fish, owner of BuckeyeVA, a virtual assistance business, agreed.
“As a new business owner, I came into this class knowing very little about business finances,” she said. “After successfully completing this class, I now feel confident that I have been given enough direction and information to get started on the right road in my journey to building a successful small business.”
The course will meet online for one hour every week for six weeks, and includes a workbook students can download before class begins. The course is limited to 30 students.
For more information, go to www.journeytowholeness.net.
About Taffy Wagner, DMin
Wagner enlisted in the Air Force after she graduated high school. Stationed at Peterson AFB, Colo., she worked in air cargo/air passenger for her first four years of service. After multiple promotions and recognition for her dedication to her co-workers, she retrained in information management to earn her bachelor’s degree. During her second enlistment, she earned a STEPS promotion to E-5 and worked at the headquarters of Air Force Space Command in the security police division. She separated from the military after 8 years with an honorable discharge.
Since then, Wagner has dedicated her career to supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and offering financial advice to help consumers. She founded Journey To Wholeness (www.journeytowholeness.net)
