Do you have a business idea, but don't know if it would work?

If so, the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation is challenging you to follow your dreams.Beginning at 6 p.m. Oct. 7, CCEDC will host the first Build Your American Dream Challenge, an eight-session challenge aimed at helping budding entrepreneurs with business ideas work through the process of starting a small business.Kathy Henderson, director of economic development, said the challenge will help determine if the business idea will be feasible in the county, and if so, how to make it successful.Sessions include steps to creating a business plan, the legal side of owning a business, finances, marketing and more.The final session, set for Nov. 13, 14 and 15, will be "The Guppy Tank," which is similar to the television show "Shark Tank."Henderson said the participants will be whittled down to five entrepreneurs who will go in front of a panel comprising local banks and lending institutions as well as private investors to pitch their idea in the hopes of securing funding to start the business.Registration for the challenge opens Sept. 12, but seating is limited and participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.There is a $50 fee that can be paid online or via check.For more information, visit

http://carboncountychamber.org or call CCEDC at 610-379-5000.