Posted November 28, 2007

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee -- Officials with Chattanooga State Technical Community College and the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce have come together to deliver and promote a groundbreaking resource for entrepreneurs called BuildYourOwnBIZ.net. This new online resource is designed to provide small business owners with credible information they can use to strategically manage their business.

According to Dr. James Catanzaro, President of Chattanooga State, BuildYourOwnBIZ.net represents a pathbreaking program that will translate into a major boost for economic development in partner communities. "BuildYourOwnBIZ.net will enable the Tri-State area to become one of America's premier places for small business success," Catanzaro said. "Small businesspeople must wear many hats. Few people are experts in all of the areas necessary to succeed in business. That's why larger companies hire managers and employees in fields ranging from human resources to accounting to marketing. Most small companies don't have that luxury. That's where BuildYourOwnBIZ.net comes in."

The Web site is organized into a series of modules that focus on major business topics including marketing, finance, customer service, and human resources. Each module is designed to provide actionable information dealing with real-life business issues. For example, the module on hiring offers practical information about implementing a good hiring process, as well as checklists, sample interview questions and other resources that a businessperson can use as they encounter the need to add people to the employee roster.

In addition, businesses that subscribe to BuildYourOwnBIZ.net receive frequent emails that analyze how the news of the moment applies to their businesses. Subscribers can also submit business questions by email and receive an answer from a panel of experts within two (2) business days.

"BuildYourOwnBIZ.net utilizes video and cutting edge interactivity that's really engaging," said Ju-Hsin Lusk, General Manager of BuildYourOwnBIZ.net. "But what really sets it apart is that this tool was designed by businesspeople for businesspeople. BuildYourOwnBIZ.net delivers practical solutions to real life business challenges in a format that businesspeople can use as issues arise."

Chattanooga State, which developed BuildYourOwnBIZ.net as part of its mission to support economic development, has partnered with the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce to connect with the business audience that can make the best use of the tool.

"I'm very impressed with BuildYourOwnBIZ.net," said Tom Edd Wilson, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Chamber. "More importantly, feedback from our small business member-investors who've tried BuildYourOwnBIZ.net has been extremely positive. Supporting the success of small businesses is a cornerstone of our effort to create jobs. We see BuildYourOwnBIZ.net as a powerful new tool in that effort."

BuildYourOwnBIZ.net is available to members of the Chattanooga Chamber at a 30% discount. Anyone interested in trying out BuildYourOwnBIZ.net for free can do so by going to www.BuildYourOwnBIZ.net and clicking on the free demo button. For more information or to arrange a demonstration, call Ginger Duggan at 423-697-3230.