Strategizing a Successful Business Plan 2026

The Entrepreneurship Council Presented “Strategizing a successful Business Plan.”  It was held March 26, 2026 at Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, 102 Jamestown Blvd, Dothan, AL 36301 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Dr. Richard Voss of the Sorrell College of Business Troy University Dothan Campus taught on the methodology and strategies for developing a successful business plan.

Participants learned that a business plan is the guidebook for running your enterprise, your business plan is the embodiment of your own organizing logic, put to paper. Certainly, much of what you plan to do is top of mind, but relying on intuition alone is hazardous. You need a roadmap to keep track of details, both as a reminder of what to do each day and as a guide for your business partners to anticipate your thinking and methods. Your business plan is for anyone who needs to understand how you run your business, including bankers, who will want to see your plan before deciding whether and how to help you with your financial needs.

Business plan templates abound online, to keep you from overlooking critical functions and to walk you through the thought process. However, drafting a business plan is more than just a matter of filling in the blanks on a form. In deciding how to address each function, you also need to strategize. This means positioning your business to succeed based on proven economic principles and using those insights to guide how you approach your decisions for each function. In this way, you can plan on growth over time rather than sinking into the process swamp. This workshop aims to prepare you for this.

Participants were able to ask questions and network with fellow business owners and those interested in starting a business.  Admission was FREE, but we ask for a donation of $10. Money raised will help the Entrepreneurship Council provide events like this in the community and help with other projects/programs provided by the Entrepreneurship Council. The Entrepreneurship Council is a 501 (c) 3 Organization.

This event is sponsored by Computer Printing Etc., and Troy University Dothan Campus Sorrell College of Business.

If you would like to attend a future event or be a part of Entrepreneurship Council, feel free to visit our site at www.entrepreneurshipcouncil.org or give us a call at 334-655-0417. The Entrepreneurship Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  You can donate by clicking below.

Setting Up A New Business
(What You Need To Know)

Most small businesses struggle with setting up and paying taxes sales tax and Payroll taxes.  If not setup correctly you will risk getting fined and even worse closed down.  On January 29, 2026 we had Mr. Nicholas Goosby & Ms. Sierra Shirah of the Alabama Department of Revenue Sales and Tax Division in the Dothan Taxpayer Service Center come and bless us with information to help us start and grow our business the right way.  The event was held at the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 102 Jamestown Blvd, Dothan, AL 36301. 

Mr. Goolsby and Ms. Sierra Shirah touched on topics including the following:

• Common types of businesses and entities
• Things to Consider When Starting a New Business
• Sales, Use, Lodgings, and Rental Taxes
• Sales Tax
• Filing Requirements
• Alabama Tax License

And much more.

Click to Download Slide 

Admission was FREE, but we accepted donations. Money donated helpes the Entrepreneurship Council provide events like this in the community, give back, and help with other projects/programs provided by the Entrepreneurship Council. The Entrepreneurship Council is a 501 (c) 3 Organization.

If you would like to attend a future event or be a part of Entrepreneurship Council, feel free to visit our site at www.entrepreneurshipcouncil.org or give us a call at 334-655-0417. The Entrepreneurship Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Dinner and Awards & Hairoglyphics Academy Graduation 2025

On October 18, 2025 the Entrepreneurship Council held it’s Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet at Troy University, Dothan Campus.  We also partnered with Hairoglyphics Academy to hold their first graduation ceremony.  The event is our final event of the year where we thank everyone for their participation and sponsorship throughout the year.  During the event we also honor one community member who has provided inspiration for others to become entrepreneurs with the Machroyce Corbitt, Sr. Inspiration Award.  This year’s recipient was Dr. Steve Turkoski.  Mrs. Nassandra Corbitt the Founder of Hairoglyphics Academy and the current instructor presented her students with their diploma.  Our speaker for the event was Mrs. Kerrie Farrell, owner of the Thirsty Pig.  Mrs. Farrell spoke about having a Why that is strong and that will help you continue when times get hard.  The Entrepreneurship Council donated $500.00 to Chrysalis A Home for Girls on behalf of Mrs. Farrell.  After the event we had Dinner and it was an opportunity for everyone to network and get to know one another.

Video from the event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU6UgSkrFFo&t=318s

Photos From Event

Christy Hayes Gill Speaks on Protecting Your Business & Family

On Thursday March 27, 2025, the Entrepreneurship Council hosted a workshop entitled “What you need to know… protecting your business & family from a legal standpoint.” In celebration of Women History Month, we celebrated Women in Business with our guest Speaker Christy Hayes Gill, Personal Injury Lawyer.  The event was held at the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, the event was sponsored by Computer Printing Etc., the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, Smart Bank, and the Sorrell College of Business.

Mrs. Christy Hayes Gill spoke on 5 areas:

1. Have a Written Plan
2. Choose the Right Business Structure
3. Get Proper Insurance
4. Keep Business and Personal Separate
5. Follow the Law

After the presentation, the members of the Entrepreneurship Council presented here with a certificate for her participation as a women owned business during Women in History Month and an Entrepreneurship Council pin.

Participants learned from the information and was able to network with Mrs. Gill and other entrepreneurs in the room.  Our next event will be in April.

If you would like to attend a future event or be a part of Entrepreneurship Council, feel free to visit our site at www.entrepreneurshipcouncil.org or give us a call at 334-655-0417. The Entrepreneurship Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Enterpreneurship Council Sponsors Youth Financial Literacy Training

On Thursday December 29, 2024, the Entrepreneurship Council sponsored a Youth Financial Literacy Program put on by Mrs. Carrie Wilson and CCW Financial Solutions.  The event was called “Financial Literacy Extravaganza.”  The Entrepreneurship Council sponsored $500 as a Platinum Sponsor of the program.  The provided training materials for kids who attended the program and other needs.  

Mrs. Carrie Wilson taught on the various types of financial institutions, what is credit, how to check your credit, and how to use your credit.  She also spoke on different types of lending options such as credit cards, bank loans, and more.  This included open credit lines, revolving credit, and straight line credit.  She spoke on interest and how it can add up if you do not pay off your loan in a timely fashion.

The students took a pretest to see what they knew before the training and then took a test afterwords to see what they learned.  There were also gifts given to kids for participation.  This included gift cards, phone chargers, speakers, and more.  Food was served as well.

The kids who attended the program left knowing much more than they did before.  The event proved to be a great teaching tool to help the youth understand finances and the importance of knowing what it is.

If you would like to attend a future event or be a part of Entrepreneurship Council, feel free to visit our site at www.entrepreneurshipcouncil.org or give us a call at 334-655-0417. The Entrepreneurship Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Photographs from Event

On Thursday, October 5, 2024, the Entrepreneurship Council hosted the Annual Dinner & Awards Night.  This was our first Award Ceremony since prior to COVID.  The event was held at Troy University Dothan Campus.

The purpose of the event was to provide a night of Awards and Dinner to recognize our members, our speakers, our sponsors, and more.

The M.C. for the Night was Dr. Walter Sims.  Our special guest speaker for the night was Izell Reese, CEO of RCX Sports & Former NFL Player.  The Entrepreneurship Council present several awards to our speakers, our yearly sponsors, and our event sponsors.  The Entrepreneurship donated $500 to RCX Sports Foundation to help with various programs they provide to youth in the community.  We also gave a special award to Dr. Myland Brown for his years of dedication and hard work in our community and abroad.  The award Dr. Myland Brown received was the Machroyce Corbitt, Sr. Inspiration Award.

Golden Coral was paid to provide food for the event after the ceremony in the Harrison Room.  Wine and Cheese was sponsored by Dr. Richard Voss and his Brother Roger Voss.  They also served and educated guests on the different types of wine and flavors.  Guest waiting room snacks was sponsored by Nassandra Corbitt of Hairoglyphics Hair and Beauty Salon.

Tickets were $45.00 per person.

The event was great, and the participants left knowing more about the Entrepreneurship Council and what services we provide to the community.  If you would like to attend a future event or become a member of the Entrepreneurship Council, feel free to visit our site at www.entrepreneurshipcouncil.org or give us a call at (334) 655-0417.

The Entrepreneurship Council is a 501(c)3 organizations.

Financing Your Business!

On Thursday, July 18th 2024 the Entrepreneurship Council hosted a seminar on Financing Your Business.  The speakers included Sarah Osmer from SmartBank, Brent McMahan from Small Business Administration (SBA), and Angie Sweatman from The Bancorp.

The different speakers covered what was available for start-ups and pre-existing businesses.  Sarah Osmer covered what SmartBank had to offer.  She also covered what banks are looking for and mentioned how they would partner with SBA and other lending agencies to help small businesses in need of financial support for working capital, equipment and more.  Brent covered various programs offered by the SBA to help with obtaining funds for small businesses which included the 7a program, 8a program, and more.  He also talked about micro loan programs and various programs available to help businesses with things like developing a business plan, training, and much more.  Angie Sweatman spoke on the 504 loan and how they worked with the SBA on Long term loans for buildings purchases and new builds as well as financing equipment in the loan.

There was over 30 registered participants.  The event was great, and the participants left knowing more than they came in with.  If you would like to attend a future event, feel free to visit our site at www.entrepreneurshipcouncil.org or give us a call at (334) 655-0417.

The Entrepreneurship Council is a 501(c)3 organizations.

Carrie Wilson Teaches Credit at Entrepreneurship Council Event