Evan Franca graduated from Binghamton University in 2007 with a vision: starting his own business.

The theater major has had to jump through many hurdles to reach his goal. But today, Franca is the owner of Cafe Oasis at 142 Washington St. in Downtown Binghamton.

“Fear of the unknown is a great obstacle, but you need to believe in your strengths, speak to people and do a lot of research,” said Rob Ruggiero, the co-founder of Cafe Oasis.

Have no fear, entrepreneurs.

BU’s Small Business Development Center is hosting its Small Business Training Program, a three-day event that runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 8, April 15 and April 22. The program is on the third floor in the Artco Building at 222 Water St. in Downtown Binghamton, above the lost Dog Cafe.

This 20-hour training session will include presentations and discussions categorized into three topics: “Basics of Owning Your Own Business,” “Developing Business Plans” and “Managing by the Numbers and the Making of Essential Decisions.”

Ginny Thompson, the coordinator of this program, said this program is offered to anyone who wants to create and own their own business.

“It is designed to let people have an understanding and the knowledge of how to lower the risks of entrepreneurship and also, to know tools needed to start a business,” Thompson said. “There will be a banker, an accountant and a lawyer to touch on the financial qualities and the development of business plans.”

People will also be able to learn information like what insurance coverage is needed to protect businesses and families, how to handle legal issues and make the right choice of business entity, how to overcome planning challenges and how to make decisions effectively.

“A young college student should not be intimidated by people who doubt his or her abilities when it comes to business but rather, they should go with their plan,” Ruggiero said.

To participate in this program and earn an SBDC certificate for completion, applicants must register and make a one-time payment of $60 for all the sessions. Class size is limited, so registration should be done as early as possible. Checks must be made payable to The Research Foundation of SUNY by April 3, 2009. The checks can also be mailed by the same date to Small Business Development Center, Binghamton University, P.O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902.

Applicants can also call program coordinator Ginny Thompson at (607) 777-4026 or (607) 777-4024 with registration questions.