Abbi Whitaker, right, of the Abbi Agency in Reno, speaks with local businesswoman Patrica Sammons after a recent CEDA breakfast.
A series of classes to improve business owners is set for the Old Post Office, home of the Young Entrepreneurs Collective and the city of Fallon’s Co-Working Space.
Abbi Whitaker, who with her husband, Ty, own the Abbi Agency in Reno, spoke at the recent Churchill Economic Development Authority’s monthly gathering of business owners and leaders in Churchill County.
Abbi Whitaker Holtom, a Churchill County High School and University of Nevada, Reno graduate, has been assisting the city for six years by promoting Fallon and the surrounding area.
“One of our aims is to help businesses to grow,” she told about 60 people.
The program’s goal at an inaugural meeting was to introduce the YEC, a group bringing business owners and entrepreneurs together to collaborate on projects benefiting the community and entire entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“The city wanted to encourage small business owners and then offer them resources,” Whitaker said. “The city is there to help nurture and move along businesses.”
In months leading up to late March, Whitaker said the city created workspace, printers, computers and magazines for use and for other business people to work together and share expertise and ideas.
Whitaker said Reno has set up offices for sharing space, but nothing had been done for the rural areas until Fallon launched its YEC.
For the first six months, Whitaker said the cost to join is free with the city sponsoring individuals who are interested in using the facilities for the next six months.
The first major undertaking is offering classes in July that cover a wide range of topics:
Wednesday, July 1, 6:30 p.m. Email Marketing for Businesses
Wednesday, July 8, 6:30 p.m. How to Create a Business Website
Wednesday, July 15, 6:30 p.m. Design 101 for Businesses
Wednesday, July 22, 6:30 p.m. How to Write a Press Release
Wednesday, July 29, 6:30 p.m. Networking 101 for Business Owners
So far, Whitaker said each class, which will be held at the Old Post Office on North Maine Street, has 10 people enrolled.
Attendees will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the scheduled classes.
Whitaker said the value of each class is about $200.
To sign up for classes, email CityofFallon@gmail.com.
