ForumsStarting a Business

I am still a school teacher and I am located in Atlanta. My goal is to have the school open this may. I am working with the SBA on my business plan. The need is so great that the research is taking me a long time. I can get the license, it is just a training and since I am already certified that will open other doors for me.

Thank you so much for the referral. I will send the business plan as soon as we finish it.

I retired from several business and investment ventures about 5 years ago and now just help businesses connect to all the resources that CEO Space provides.

I found this site because Bank of America had a big ad playing on my home page on earthlink that looked interesting enough to click on.

If you can't get a dedicated facility donated, then another option to consider is finding temporary space to get the service started (and work up to the building).

My mom was a diagnostician, and when she retired from the school system, she did what you are planning by networking with community members to find space. I recall that a minister offered use of Sunday school classrooms during the week. A short time later, a daycare operator put her in touch with their landlord (who had a grandchild with special needs) and they bartered a deal where she used a defunct dance studio nearby at no cost.

Key people in the community got behind the idea, and they pushed for state and federal grants to open a facility that not only focused on early identification and learning, but on family training and support, plus other issues like inclusion and access. Although it took a few years, funding was eventually provided to renovate a neighborhood elementary school (that had been closed when schools were desegregated), and the child development center was realized.

Hopefully you can get your building more quickly -- but if not, this might be another way to start.

Best wishes.