Small Business and Entrepreneurship Courses

small business owner and coffee shop employee

Upcoming Courses and Training

Professional Dog Grooming Certification Program

Get expert training, hands-on experience and industry knowledge you need to succeed in this growing field.

Equip yourself with essential grooming skills, from breed-specific techniques to coat care and health maintenance. With a combination of online learning and hands-on training, you’ll gain real-world experience in a professional salon setting.

Learn About the Dog Grooming Program

Start-Up and Operations Courses

Entrepreneurship & Business Without Burnout | $49

This 4-week group is all about creating more balance and ease in your business and everyday life. Together, we’ll focus on simple, practical ways to help you better support yourself and your business!

Each week, we’ll cover a different topic to help you start shifting out of burnout:
• Week 1: Organizing your days for success by playing to your strengths
• Week 2: Creating systems that make life easier instead of more stressful
• Week 3: Focusing on the tasks that move the needle forward
• Week 4: Learning how to set boundaries without feeling guilty

If you’re constantly feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or like your business is starting to feel draining… you’re in the right place.

And even if you can't make all of the classes, even 1 class will be worth your time and investment!

The goal is to help you feel more supported and focused, so you can enjoy your business more! So come, learn and get support with your current challenges so you can start shifting out of burnout right away!

#12112, Commercial Avenue, 7/8-7/29, Wednesday, 8-8:45 AM Instructor: Mary Okon

How to Start Your Own Business in Wisconsin | $79

Take the first step toward launching your business with confidence. In this workshop, you will learn how to turn your idea into a legally registered business in Wisconsin. You will identify your target customer, define your value proposition, and explore pricing basics. You will also compare business structures such as sole proprietorship, LLC, and corporation to determine what best fits your goals. Step-by-step, you will walk through registering your business, obtaining licenses and permits, and understanding startup financial considerations. You will leave with a clear action plan and the next steps to get your business up and running.

#12282, Truax-Protective Services Building, 8/2, Sunday, 9 AM-1 PM Instructor: Cindy Richardson

Creating a Successful Business Plan | $157

Turn your business ideas into a solid plan for financing and long-term success. Committing your idea to paper in the form of a business plan not only increases your chances of obtaining financing, but also in keeping your business strategically focused. You will work through all the major components of writing a business plan and emerge with your first draft in hand. Most importantly, you will have completed the first—and most difficult—step on the path to small business success.

Instructor Moderated or Self-Guided

Start Your Own Small Business | $146

Learn how to transform your passion and talent into a viable small business. This course will teach you about financing, marketing techniques, employee management, policy writing, and time management - everything you need to know to start your very own small business.

Instructor-Moderated (Asynchronous)

Accounting and Finance Courses

Accounting Fundamentals | $146

In this comprehensive course, you will learn the basics of double-entry bookkeeping, as well as how to analyze and record financial transactions. You will get hands-on experience with handling accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll procedures, sales taxes, and various common banking activities.

Instructor-Moderated
Also available as an on-demand, self-paced tutorial.

Accounting with QuickBooks Online Suite | $547

This comprehensive course will teach you the basics of accounting with QuickBooks Online, the most widely used accounting software for small business owners. You'll master the basics double-entry bookkeeping and get hands-on experience handling accounts receivable, accounts payable, sales taxes and other common financial activities. Course offered in partnership with Ed2Go.

Instructor-Moderated

Introduction to QuickBooks Online | $156

This QuickBooks course will teach you how to manage your business finances with QuickBooks Online. This powerful accounting software has helped millions of small business owners oversee their finances. Now that the cloud-based version is outpacing the desktop version, there's no better time to refresh your QuickBooks knowledge.

Instructor-Moderated
Also available as an on-demand, self-paced tutorial.

Marketing Courses

Graphic Design for Non-Designers | $205

Learn how to concept and design eye-catching logos, flyers, brochures, videos, social media posts and more for your workplace or small business with the user-friendly platforms Canva, Adobe Express and YouTube Studio.

Future offerings posted here

Small Business Social Media Marketing | $149

Learn how a marketing plan is constructed. Students will begin or refine your business or organization’s target audiences, develop strategies, and identify tactics in your organic and paid social media marketing efforts on various social media platforms. Students will also learn how to launch and sustain a content strategy and measure efforts.

Future offerings posted here

Kick-Start Biz with eCommerce | $49

How to get to market quickly with low cost, and start selling through your own online store? This fast-paced workshop provides information about how to start an eCommerce store and tactics to gain first and repeat customers. This class focuses on sales and distribution, not product development, supply chain or manufacturing.

Future offerings posted here

Becoming a Foodpreneur

Let Madison College help you create a plan to operate and manage an independent foodservice business! This program addresses mobile and stationary service models for entrepreneurs planning a food truck, cafe, catering service, coffee shop, popup restaurant, on-site culinary services, or festival vending. Foodpreneurs get in the kitchen to develop products and work through kitchen logistics. Receive hands-on training to practice appropriate kitchen conduct that optimizes efficiency and food safety. Students will conduct a market analysis, identify equipment and logistics needs, develop products and services, and create financial projections; all in the process of creating a business plan for a small business.

person inside a food truck giving food to customer

Becoming a Foodpreneur - Part 1 | $349

Let Madison College help you create a plan to operate and manage an independent foodservice business! This program addresses mobile and stationary service models for entrepreneurs planning a food truck, café, catering service, coffee shop, popup restaurant or festival vending. Foodpreneurs get in the kitchen to develop products and work through kitchen logistics. Receive hands-on training to practice appropriate kitchen conduct that optimizes efficiency and food safety. Students will conduct a market analysis, identify equipment and logistics needs, develop products and services, and create financial projections; all in the process of creating a business plan for a small business.

Watch for fall classes.

Becoming a Foodpreneur - Part 2 | $349

This 2 part course focuses on the application of business ideas including the practical realities of catering, festival vending, and operating a food truck or cart. Through our hands-on commissary you will learn methods in menu planning and production proven to maximize efficiency, food safety and profit, while developing and fine-tuning your dream.

watch for fall classes.

Three Ways to Register for Noncredit Courses

1. Register by Phone

Call us at 608.258.2301, Option 2

2. Express Registration

Complete our online registration form

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Center for Entrepreneurship

See how the Madison College Center for Entrepreneurship strengthens communities through education, innovation and collaboration.

Learn More About the Center for Entrepreneurship