Nicole Young Potvin, left, with the Michigan Small Business Development Center, talks with business owners at the first "Project Point: Guiding Businesses to Success" workshop in Escanaba. The second session will be Wednesday, March 11, at the Escanaba City Hall from 3 to 5 p.m.

ESCANABA — Several downtown Escanaba business owners will share their experiences starting and developing businesses during the next Project Point workshop this Wednesday in Escanaba.

The event is the second session in the “Project Point: Guiding Businesses to Success” series, designed to help Delta County entrepreneurs learn from local business leaders. The free workshop is sponsored by the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority and the Delta County Economic Development Alliance.

This month’s panel includes Ryan Brayak of Lake Effect Distillery, Ian Pelter of the Peljacq Group, Matt Sviland of Swanee Incorporated, and Nicole Wycoff of Neveah. Escanaba Planning and Zoning Administrator Joey Walker will also participate.

Brayak also serves on the DDA Community Development Committee.

“In terms of the format, it’s not going to be a presentation,” Brayak said. “We’re going to have a conversation and include audience participation. If you have questions, you can ask them during the discussion, and afterward we’ll have time for networking.”

The workshop will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers on March 11. The session will be followed by a DDA Business Partners meeting.

Brayak said the workshop is open to anyone interested in starting or expanding a business.

“We want this to be very inclusive,” he said. “If you’re interested in the topic but don’t know very much about it, this is a great place to learn.”

Project Point: Guiding Businesses to Success is held the second Wednesday of each month, except July and August, with a different business topic featured each session.

More information is available at escanabadda.org.