The Nevada Small Business Development Center (Nevada SBDC) in the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno is hosting NxLeveL, an intensive 10-week course business training course, beginning on Aug. 23 at the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce. Classes are held every Wednesday through Nov. 1 from 5:30 p.m to 8 p.m. The course is specifically designed for new and existing small business owners seeking comprehensive guidance on how to effectively network and create a long-lasting business plan for their Northern Nevada small business.

Due to the generous support of First Independent Bank, the 30-hour class costs $120 for all attendees. Nevada SBDC aims to fill the class with 25 quality new and existing business owners from the Northern Nevada area.

The NxLeveL classes will be taught by Kathy Halbardier, an experienced Nevada SBDC business advisor in Reno, Nevada. With 25 years of experience in small business development in Northern Nevada, Halbardier’s areas of expertise include business plan counseling, marketing, strategic planning, economic development and business educational training.

“This practical, non-credit series of classes provides entrepreneurs with tools, strategies, and insights needed to successfully navigate the ever-changing business landscape; each week, attendees receive a short lecture about the topic and hear from a guest expert speaker,” Winnie Dowling, Nevada SBDC state director, said. “Participants will receive free and confidential assistance after the class is finished; though most attendees are not students, students at the University are welcome to sign up for this non-credit class.”

“The purpose of this intensive training, with follow-up business advising, is to help businesses create and support jobs, grow capital investment, create businesses and increase sales,” Dowling said. “In 2022, the Nevada SBDC provided in-depth assistance to 2,915 Nevada entrepreneurs and clients who supported 6,809 jobs; these clients affirmed that they created 154 new businesses and secured $46.7 million in capital last year.”

Business owners and entrepreneurs interested in taking their business skills to the next level and enrolling into the NxLeveL course should visit the Nevada SBDC website for further information.

The Nevada SBDC is hosted by the College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno; the Nevada SBDC is part of a large, national network funded by the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) with match provided by the University of Nevada, Reno and other economic development partners. Nevada SBDC also employs University of Nevada, Reno student interns that assist with marketing research and feasibility analysis.