Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Project Celebrates Fourteen Graduates

Aug. 17, 2010 - PRLog -- More than a dozen Southwest Florida entrepreneurs are one step closer to becoming their own bosses, after graduating from the Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise project on Thursday.  The fourteen students completed a ten-week curriculum designed to prepare them for small business ownership.

“I thought I knew all about small business,” said graduate Vanessa Patterson.  “But this program taught me exactly what it is and what it will take to sustain it.”

The graduation ceremony was held at the Southwest Florida Enterprise Center on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.  John Gamba, a self-described “serial entrepreneur” from Naples, delivered the commencement address.

The MicroEnterprise graduates range from future consultants and event planners to landscapers and artists.  Many plan to polish their business plans and apply for funding from a microlender that specializes in business startup loans.

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.  Mentors work directly with participants to help these potential small business owners prepare a business plan. More information is available at http://www.swflmicro.com.

Graduate Tracy Romak addressed her classmates at the ceremony.  “In this economic climate,” Romak said, “it’s imperative to hit the ground running.”

We have a real entrepreneurial spirit here in Southwest Florida,” explained Julia East, CEO of the Southwest Community Foundation, one of the MicroEnterprise project’s partners. “We hope this will be the first graduating class of many.”

The next MicroEnterprise session begins on August 28 and will run through October 28.  The program is still enrolling students for this upcoming session.  Students may apply at http://www.goodwillswfl.org or get more information at (239) 995-2106 ext. 215.

The Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise project is also seeking mentors and financial contributors 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.  

Persons interested in becoming mentors for the Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise project may call (239) 995-2106 ext. 215.  Potential funders and contributors are encouraged to contact the Southwest Florida Community Foundation at (239) 274-5900.

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.

More information is available at http://www.swflmicro.com.

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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.