On Tuesday, Sept. 14, the Sandhills Chapter of SCORE (Counselors to America's Small Business) will present the second in its "Business Basics" seminar series.

This seminar, titled "Great Beginnings," begins at 6 p.m. in room 103 of Van Dusen Hall at Sandhills Community College.

The "Business Basics" series of six seminars is jointly sponsored by SCORE and the Small Business Center of Sandhills Community College. To register for the seminar call the Small Business Center at (910) 695-3938. There will also be registration available beginning at 5:30 on the evening of the seminar.

"Great Beginnings" is designed to make the entrepreneur knowledgeable about the issues of starting a small business so that those first steps allow him or her to "move out smartly," a news release said. Subjects to be covered include Small Business Administration resources available, business plan essentials, accounting, record keeping, tax issues, legal structure options, financing options and risk mitigation (insurance).

The six seminars in the series are being presented on consecutive Tuesday evenings through Oct. 12 to accommodate the intended audience of current and prospective small business owners. Business owners who attend all of the five remaining seminars, Sept. 14 through Oct. 12, will be eligible to receive a $75 cash award from SCORE to apply to their advertising expenses.

SCORE is a nationwide nonprofit association of experienced business people who provide free, confidential business counseling to small business owners. The Sandhills chapter is active in counseling, mentoring and presenting free business seminars.

Anyone wishing to speak to SCORE counselors must first register as a client at www.edmisscore.org/0364.

In addition to counseling by appointment, the Sandhills chapter has drop-in service for those who have registered from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays at the Moore County Chamber of Commerce building on U.S. 15-501 in Southern Pines. The phone number is (910) 692-3926.

More information on SCORE's counseling activity and a complete description of each seminar can be found at the Sandhills SCORE website, www.sandhillsscore.org.