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JAMESTOWN, N.C. – Dozens of small business owners and aspiring owners learned skills for success at the 2010 Small Business Summit.

The day-long event at GTCC's Jamestown campus was packed with words of wisdom from experts whose aim was to help businesses survive and thrive in a struggling economy.

"I came here to learn a little bit more about what a small business owner, what it takes for a small business owner to take his company to the next level," said Kenneth Bain, owner of New Experience Entertainment.

Bain and other summit-goers took in presentations on a wide range of subjects many small business owners will need to master including marketing and human resources.

"The human resources was great because neither one of us knows anything about that, what you need for employees, legally what type of paperwork you need to have”said Brad Jenkins of A Travel Pillow.

And there was a class on legal structure, helping business owners to decide whether to form a corporation, partnership or limited liability company.

"There's a lot of options out there that people can do to limit their own personal liability, so that if they form their own business and something goes wrong they don't lose their home or their car," said Abigail Peoples, an attorney.

The latest government figures show 85,000 people across the country lost jobs in December, which was much worse than expected.

Summit organizers say that's why starting a small business can be a smart move.

“In times like this when jobs are becoming scarce, one thing you can count on is yourself,” said Kathy Elliot, vice president of entrepreneurism and small business development for the Greensboro Partnership. “A lot of larger companies are farming work out now, so it's a wonderful opportunity for the small businesses to grow and prosper."

Businesses like the graphic design and web development company, ACreativeMind.com.

“I started my small business due to a layoff,” said the business' Vickie Hall. “I had been laid off twice within two years and I just decided that if I had all these skills that major companies were paying me to do for them that I could do it for myself."

For Hall, starting her own business was a life changing experience.

She urged anyone with a dream to pursue it.

“I don't know if I would ever go back to corporate America,” said Hall. “I like what I do."

Sponsors of the small business summit included the Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship, local chambers and the Small Business Center.