Small Business Mentors Needed for MicroEnterprise Project

May 19, 2010 - PRLog -- The Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise project is seeking mentors who would like to help local residents start their own businesses. Mentors should be successful current or former small business owners who are interested in giving back to the community and helping other entrepreneurs to grow and prosper.

The Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise project is a partnership of several organizations that provides training for individuals with low-to-moderate income and/or other disadvantages to start their own businesses.  At the end of the program, some participants may be eligible to receive microloans.  Program participants will complete a 10-week training course, made up of weekly three-hour classes. Mentors will work directly with participants to help these potential small business owners prepare a business plan.

Persons interested in becoming mentors for the Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise project may call (239) 995-2106 ext. 219.  More information is available online at http://www.swflmicro.com and http://www.goodwillswfl.org/microenterprise.htm.

The SWFL MicroEnterprise Project is administered by Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. and is funded through the Southwest Florida Community Foundation.  Other program partners include the Southwest Florida Enterprise Center, SCORE, and ACCION USA.  

The Southwest Florida Community Foundation is now actively seeking financial supporters for this project. Supporters of the Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Project help to strengthen small businesses, which are the backbone of our local economy, and help to put people back to work at the same time.  If you are interested in financially supporting this project, please call the Southwest Florida Community Foundation at 239-274-5900.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. serves Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties, and helps people with disabilities and other disadvantages overcome their barriers to employment and independence.  Programs supported by Goodwill include Job-Link, career training and placement, the L.I.F.E. Academy Charter School, income-subsidized housing for senior citizens and people with disabilities, and others.  More information is available at http://www.goodwillswfl.org.

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Goodwill operates 24 thrift stores in SW Florida to support its mission of removing barriers to independence. Programs include income-sensitive housing, career placement assistance, the L.I.F.E. Academy Charter School, Four Wheels for Work, and others.