Entrepreneurship is the American Dream. Unfortunately, of the 1 million businesses started each year, most of them eventually fail. The one common theme may be lack of planning.

If you are considering the possibility of starting a business, the free seminar. Building the Foundation for Your New Business, will provide information that may help your business be among the 20 percent that survive and thrive. The seminar will be held Wednesday, August 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at New College Institute in Martinsville.

Prepare to start a successful business by evaluating your entrepreneurial abilities, marketing strategies, financial resources, legal form of organization, and receive tips to prepare and present your business plan.Speaker will be Kelvin Perry, regional consultant, Longwood SBDC.Co-sponsors of the seminar are Longwood SBDC, George Mason University, Virginia Small Business Development Center, U.S. Small Business Administration, and New College Institute.For information, call (434) 395-2086.