It enables participants to make or reject a commitment to business ownership. In this short class participants explore business idea feasibility, entrepreneurial styles, personal goals and basic business language. This 10-week class enables participants to prepare a bankable business plan. Preparation of a plan to commercial banking standards requires understanding and immediate use of selected business concepts, including but not limited to several from marketing, finance, accounting and operations planning. The third class in the series is a year-long practicum in which advanced business skills are developed.
Participants get help solving the real-life problems they encounter as their businesses grow.
Each student is assigned a business counselor that assists them individually with their business plans or business issues. Successful completion of the planning process is rewarded with additional services including assisted access to capital , marketing networks and opportunities , and supplementary technical assistance.