SELMA — People who run small businesses or want to start a small business sometimes run into overwhelming issues, and they might stop.

The Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce wants businesses to succeed. Chamber members want to reach out to others to reinforce the business community .

The chamber will hold a free business and education workshop for people who need to cope with the licenses, fees, mission statements, finances and other issues. The workshop is set for Wednesday, March 17, 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., at the Selma-Dallas Public Library in the Vaughan Room.

Jimmy Coleman, a member of the chamber Board of Directors, said the organization picked up the idea for the workshop because some small businesses are not getting mainstream money because those owners don’t have the proper paperwork — business licenses, for example — or complete financial records.

“These things are standard procedure,” Coleman explained, “but some small businesses do not have them, especially minority businesses.”

The chamber leadership held some of these workshops several years ago, Coleman said, and they were successful.

Now the chamber has more tools to offer small businesses and the chamber leadership expects better results with stronger entrepreneurs.

Chamber Director Sheryl Smedley said the chamber offers the opportunity for individuals to start a business with assistance from the chamber. “We’ll take you from nothing through helping you prepare for the financing,” she said.

The tools and resources are at the chamber, so the program is free. Some of the items covered include how to write a mission statement, how to keep motivated, how to work with the chamber, how to finance your business and how to network with other business people.

Smedley pointed out the business that has a sound business plan likely will experience success.

For more information or to register for the workshop, call the chamber at 875-7241.