WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration and My Own Business, Inc., today announced a joint effort to provide a free, comprehensive online entrepreneurship course for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

The announcement was made at the Conference on Women Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century, a two-day event offering cutting-edge insights on the most pressing concerns of women business owners. Attendees at the meeting, held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, included women business leaders, owners and entrepreneurs.

The 11-session interactive course was developed by My Own Business, Inc., a non-profit firm founded in 1992 by a successful entrepreneur to develop and provide educational materials on entrepreneurship. The course includes audio sound bytes, quizzes, feedback and an online tool to create business plans, and will be added to the SBA’s online classroom at www.sba.gov/classroom.

"We are committed to providing the best resources to small business owners," said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto. "The SBA will continue to develop its online educational programs with innovative partners to make learning resources widely accessible."

"We’re thrilled to work with the SBA to foster entrepreneurship," said My Own Business, Inc., President and CEO Claudia Peters. "Too many businesses fail due to avoidable mistakes. This course focuses on the most important areas of business for start-up and already operating businesses to achieve success."

Each of the individual components of the virtual business seminar can be pursued in sequence, or independently. The 11 segments are:

1. Deciding on a Business
2. The Business Plan
3. Basic Computer and Communication Tools
4. Organization and Insurance
5. Location and Leasing
6. Accounting and Cash Flow
7. How to Borrow Money
8. E-Commerce
9. Buying a Business or Franchise
10. Opening and Marketing
11. Expanding and Handling Problems

For more information about all of the SBA’s programs for small businesses, call the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800-U-ASK-SBA or TDD 704-344-6640. Also, visit the SBA’s extensive Web site at www.sba.gov