COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) -- Aaron Washington has a way with scissors and can turn out a precision haircut in minutes.
That talent doesn't necessarily mean he knows all there is to know about how to promote his skills or those of his employees.
"The bottom line is you've got to continue to try to evolve. You've got to continue to try to grow because you'll never get there. Every edge you can get to grow your business you ought to be trying to do it," Washington said.
His journey begins with help from the Mississippi University for Women's SMARTbiz program.
MUW's Center for Creative Entrepreneurship offers the free seminar to give entrepreneurs a chance to connect with business experts and to learn about programs that will offer them assistance.
"There's a lot of information to be gleaned from these people who have been in business for so many years," Invitation Magazine Founder Rachel West said.
"You may learn how to do a marketing plan for your business. You may learn how to handle an employee issue with your business that you have no one else to talk to you about, so SMARTbiz becomes your board and your counsel when you don't have a board and a counsel," SMARTbiz Charter Member Cary Snyder said.
From marketing to the essentials of business finance to advertising-the bases are covered.
"Just having other people and places that can manage and market and point the business in the right direction that it needs to go. The meeting was really informative. I met some people and made some good contacts. Just seeing other people that was involved in the program and making me want to be a part of it," Washington added.
Entrepreneurs are offered regular coaching, marketing and financial advice.
