Arizona Daily Star Nov 6, 2000

Ex-doughnut mogul puts start-up secrets online
A retired Southern California businessman is expanding his efforts to help would-be entrepreneurs by putting his free training course on the Internet.

Myownbusiness.org features an 11-session course that provides basic information for people interested in starting an enterprise.

The site features a downloadable business plan format as well as instruction in e-commerce, accounting and cash flow, borrowing money, buying a business or franchise, and marketing.

There are no advertisements at myownbusiness.org, nor anything else that could produce income. Because of that, CEO Phil Holland said one of the questions he is asked most frequently is, "What's the catch?"

"There is none," replies Holland, who founded the Yum Yum Donuts chain. Holland developed the material, which he has presented in a classroom format since 1993, with help from a group of business leaders including business attorneys, certified public accountants and sales and marketing experts.

"This course can be a stand-alone course, but it's not the total answer," said Holland. For example, if you doesn't know the basics of accounting, the course instructs you to take a course at a local community college.

The Web site went live about a month ago. Holland runs the company with one staff member, but is hoping to recruit a full-time staff now that the site is up.

"I have more fun giving money away doing this than I ever had making money in a business," Holland said.

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