Are you a person looking to own your own business one day?

The Workforce Solutions Center is partnering with the West Texas Innovation Network to help people in Abilene become entrepreneurs.

On Thursday, local business owners will provide guidance and advice to those looking to start-up a business.

Thomas Oliphant is an entrepreneur who's been in the food industry for many years. He hopes to own a barbecue sauce company and down the road even open his own restaurant in Abilene one day.

"I want to begin with a great BBQ sauce that eventually grows into a website," Oliphant said.

He's tested many different sauces in his own kitchen. Family and friends always ask for his "famous" sauce.

"When [his daughter] comes home its with the expectation that dads going to give me half-gallon of sauce to take back," Oliphant said.

What really helped him get on track? He took classes with the West Texas Innovation Network who partnered with the Workforce Solutions Center to create a business plan.

He said it's made a difference.

"A few of us came in with a business idea," Oliphant said. "This program taught us the nuts and bolts of starting and growing a business."

He plans to open his online BBQ sauce business by early next year.

If you would like to learn more from other business owners here's more information about the event on Thursday.

The mentor forum will be located at the Workforce Solutions Center on Oak Street from 6-8 p.m.