Pearlie Goodman has taught school for more than 30 years, and to help her get a focus on what she wants to do after retiring as an educator, she participated in Entrepreneur Academy, a 10-session program offered at the Alcorn State University Vicksburg Expansion Center.

Goodman said she participated in the first session that Alcorn offered and though she has not started her business yet — feels like she benefited from the program.

“I got a lot from the sessions and it has given me a little bit of a start in what I would like to do,” she said.

Goodman added that she would recommend the program to others, and beginning Feb. 9 Alcorn’s second offering of the academy is scheduled.

The 10-session program includes instruction on how to develop a business plan, how to brand your business and what it takes to obtain permits and licenses, said Smith.

“I didn’t know how to set up an LLC (Limited Liability Company),” said Goodman, and during Entrepreneur Academy participants are introduced to the private limited company style business structure.

“Entrepreneur Academy is for someone who wants to start a business or for those that have just opened a business,” said Raneisha Smith, the technology assistant at the Vicksburg campus.

Question and answer sessions will be offered during the program along with hands-on projects and power point lectures, Smith said.

“Instruction in QuickBooks and how to pay employees will be covered during one of the sessions and business owners are scheduled to talk about their own businesses,” she said.

With aspirations of starting a catering business, Quincy Steed participated in the fall session of the academy and said hearing from local business owners was beneficial.

“Some people in the community came and spoke and they had lots of information to share,” Steed said.

Spring classes are held from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays and the registration fee is $25, which includes a binder and weekly handouts.

A small ceremony is held at the conclusion of the program and certificates are awarded to those who have participated, Smith said.

Entrepreneur Academy is also eligible for Continuing Education Units.

To register or for more information, call 601-629-3538.