After some amazing former co-workers of mine at my old paper were either laid off this week or are now ramping up their job search as a result of said layoffs, I’ve decided to devote another post to business. Entertainment stuff will resume soon enough.

Network for Work is a volunteer organization that supports professional networking and career development through networking forums — online and off. The group has scheduled a free seminar at the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19, titled “From Employee to Entrepreneur.”

The session will basically help participants determine if they should try to start their own business and then give them the resources they need to do so successfully, including discussing format options, selecting business options and financing.

Maybe you’ve been considering breaking out on your own but you don’t know where to start. Or maybe your job circumstances, like so many people in this current economy, have suddenly changed. This could be an opportunity to go after your dream of being your own boss.

Sound good? Did I mention it’s free? Sound better?

I thought so. Check out the details here.

I saw Up in the Air last night and it was a pretty solid reminder of the uncertainty of both the current economy and life in general.

It’s difficult to find anyone who has been entirely insulated from the recession, and many excellent writers I know are trying their hand at freelancing to get by. But it can be difficult to get a freelance career off the ground from your own home — too many distractions.

That’s why I think it is incredibly awesome of Float Left Labs in Manchester to open Archimedes Space, which gives freelancers and small companies a space to work, connect and mentor students of Float Left Labs.

Freelancers can use the space for free until Jan. 14, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Membership after that is quite reasonable, but it’s a good opportunity to check out the space and see how well you can work in it.

The economy has been in the toilet these days, which is probably why you’ve come poking around here. I am certainly not here to judge.

If your own small business is struggling or you just want to make sure it stays afloat, be sure to mark your calendar for Monday, June 29. U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen will be hosting a small business fair at Southern New Hampshire University, from 8:30-11 a.m. at the Small Gym Athletic Complex off North River Road in Manchester.

The day’s focus is the various lending options available to small businesses, including new provisions that have been enacted to specifically help small businesses in this difficult financial climate.

Participants include the U.S. Small Business Administration, the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, the Small Business Development Center, members of the New Hampshire Bankers Association, the USDA Rural Development, the Women’s Business Center and more.

If you’re struggling to start or maintain a small business in the Granite State, you probably don’t want to miss it.

The event is free, but make sure you register here.