The Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation, in partnership with the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, will kickoff the Big Bad Business Series next week.

This free entrepreneur and mentoring program will give North Mississippi artists, business owners, inventors, and startup enthusiasts an opportunity to develop an idea into their own sustainable small business. Through monthly workshops and breakout sessions, participants will learn from some of the region’s most successful business executives, innovate with local artists, and receive business coaching from local development experts.

Whether manufacturing a prototype, developing a creative arts business, or starting a tech business, this program will connect you with the resources to turn your idea into an industry.

A kickoff reception will be held Jan. 28, followed by TEDx Talks at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts. The next session will be Jan. 30 with “Challenge Meeting: Getting Started/How to Write a Business Plan,” which covers stages of a business and legal structure.

To register, visit https://oxfordff.wufoo.com/forms/sppgbwn1sck1uq/