DUNCAN — Pushing the economy forward can start with just an idea, yet the skills behind that idea are vital to starting and continuing a business until it is a success.

Jackie Jacobi, business trainer at the Jerry D. Morris Business and Industry Service Center at Red River Technology Center, offers individuals with the entrepreneurship drive a training program to help them become successful.

Jacobi, who has been offering these services for five years, recently attended the Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s first conference for entrepreneurs, “Innovation Interactive,” held in Oklahoma City. She also will be at the Job & Career Expo on March 26, in hopes of getting information and resources into the hands of area individuals.

“Entrepreneurs are the underlying, underdriving force of our prosperity, for Oklahoma and the nation, and nations who grow those are wealthier,” Jacobi said. “They are our economic engine.”

And, as the economy continues its unknown trek this year, it’s possible more of the working force laid off will seek to start up businesses, yet Jacobi hasn’t seen that trend locally. Interest in the program is more steady and not so much in direction relation to the turbulent economy. The program is a free service and can last about two years.

Jacobi said that in 2006, small businesses in Oklahoma represented 97.4 percent of employers.

“I generally have about 100 clients a year and average three to five a week,” she said. Among those who have completed the program and ventured into the world of entrepreneurship are Magnolia Anderson (Maggie’s Cafe, about one year in business), Linda Nelson (Vine & Fig Tree, three years) and David and Lee Storey (Storey’s Carpets, two years).

The training program isn’t only for those who want to start their own business, but for all adults and even young adults.

“Entrepreneurship is definitely a 21st century skill,” Jacobi said. “It’s a way of thinking — that has the ability to recognize problems and analyze creative solutions, to focus on new opportunity and lead with a vision toward the future.”

She said an entrepreneur-driven person is someone who has ideas he or she wants to represent, shows innovativeness, is talented and has organizational skills and can take risks.

“So even if you don’t start your own business, you will be a much better employee if you have those entrepreneur skills. Your employer wants you to have those skills.”

Packaged in the program is some fun, she noted.

“You laugh at yourself because you will have lots of mistakes.”

The Job & Career Expo is a good place to start, she said.

“It’s a networking opportunity and offers motivation and inspiration for entrepreneurs who face many challenges in running their own business.”

Jacobi also describes entrepreneurs as those with a passion, good idea and even technical skills for starting a business.

“It’s the operational skills they have to learn if they are going to run a real profitable and successful business,” she said. There are many misconceptions about starting up a business and that’s one of the first issues Jacobi tackles with anyone willing to go through the program. She said if they think it’s a 9 to 5 job, they’ve got the wrong idea.

“It’s working 14 hours, two to five years, while you learn to build and manage the business, with zero income. It startles them to hear that.”

For those who do pursue their dream of being a business owner, and take advantage of the program, Jacobi finds them returning over and over even after they have completed the training.

“You can never stop learning. There are always new ideas and it changes whatever your business is.”

She said through trends, technology and economy, it’s a good bet that next year will be different. She said there are eight stages to a business cycle.

“I’m here to help with the “m-m’s” — the money management, marketing and overall management of the business.”

For information on the training program, call Jacobi at 580-255-2903, Ext. 271, or attend the Job & Career Expo at the Simmons Center.