Kelsey’s Place is looking to expand its reach to people in the community by helping to educate not just about finding a job, but also starting a business.

The introduction of an entrepreneurship readiness program is something Kelsey’s Place Vice President Tamera Hinton is personally overseeing and developing.

She hopes to start the program at Kelsey’s Place beginning in August.

“It’s something we’re definitely looking forward to,” Hinton said.

According to Hinton, the program will follow a similar model to the nonprofit organization’s job readiness program.

“It’s for people that are more leaning towards becoming their own boss,” Vice said. “I can help guide them through those steps.

The goal of the class would not only be to help residents start a business, but is also expected to be useful for those who already have a business in place but are looking for better ways to make it a success.

“There are many people out there that possess the skills to be an entrepreneur, but they just don’t know where to get started,” Hinton said.

Hinton is a certified business consultant and a business owner, so she has already been through the process and knows what it requires.

“A lot of people don’t realize when they start a business that it takes anywhere from two to three, sometimes maybe five years to see a return on your investment,” Vice said. “It takes time to build up, because you’ve got all the initial business expenses and overhead.”

According to Hinton, starting a business can be scary, but that fear should not be the reason why people do not go forward with the idea.

“They just simply don’t know, because it’s not something that they typically teach in school,” Hinton said. “A lot of people go get a job that they don’t enjoy because they’re too afraid to step out and start that business.”

She believes much of that fear can be eliminated with proper education about what to expect in the entrepreneurial process.