HOLLYWOOD — The Native Learning Center (NLC) will offer a free workshop geared toward Native Americans interested in starting a business and those who already own a Native business. Registration is now open.

The Indianpreneurship workshop will contain business courses that represent the challenges, experiences and opportunities for Native American entrepreneurs. NLC partnered with Oregon Native American Business and Entrepreneurial Network (ONABEN), the creators of Indianpreneurship, to offer the two-day workshop from March 5-6. According to their website, ONABEN provides curriculum, training and organizational consulting focused on developing entrepreneurship in Indian communities. Founded in 1991 by four Oregon Indian Tribes, ONABEN serves Indian business development organizations nationwide with a mission to increase self-reliance among Tribes.

“This particular curriculum is called ‘Growing a Business in Indian Country,'” said Veronica Hix, executive director of ONABEN and a Cherokee Tribal member. “I can’t say enough about continuous education, even if you’ve been in business for 10 years.”

Indianpreneurship instructors will pull the most important concepts from the course’s manuals and will touch upon business planning, marketing, financials and government contracting. Hix said the workshop is interactive, featuring many classroom activities.

“You’re working together with your facilitator, as well as with the participants,” she said. “You’re not being talked at; you’re being pulled in.”

 Preston Steele, director of Training and Technical Services at the NLC, said the center decided to offer the workshop because they knew Tribal members had an interest in the curriculum. The workshop, however, will be limited to 30 attendees to allow for more one-on-one attention.

“If there is something they’re interested in to sustain themselves and work for themselves, this is definitely a good way to do that,” Steele said. “I think it’s important for Tribal members to attend because [ONABEN] is an organization that’s very keen on the types of grants available and how to secure those funds.”

A portion of the workshop will discuss government set-asides available to minority-owned businesses, Hix said. She also mentioned that the workshop is a great networking venue and a great way to get some refresher courses in business.

“I think it’s important for aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners to be aware of who’s in their business area willing and wanting to help them with their business needs,” Hix said.

Anyone interested in growing his or her business or starting a new business venture is encouraged to attend.

For more information or to register, call 954-985-2315.