MicroEnterprise Project Celebrates Nine Hendry County Graduates

Dec. 20, 2010 - PRLog -- Nine Southwest Florida entrepreneurs are one step closer to becoming their own bosses, after graduating from the Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise project on Thursday.  The students, comprised primarily of LaBelle and Clewiston residents, completed a ten-week curriculum designed to prepare them for small business ownership.

Raul Arriz, Letty Balderas, Sylvanis Brice, Patricia Desomond, Donald LaBonte, Karen LaBonte, Joseph Thompson, Corrina Vasquez, and Debra Woodard celebrated their graduation at the Nature Center at LaBelle’s RiverBend Motorcoach Resort on December 9.  Graduation speaker John Gamba discussed lessons learned from a life as a self-proclaimed “serial entrepreneur.

“Love what you do,” Gamba offered during his graduation address.  “And do what you love.”

The Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise project (http://www.swflmicro.com) 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.

The LaBelle MicroEnterprise graduates range from bakers to construction workers, some of whom have already begun work with their own businesses.  Other graduates plan to polish their business plans and apply for funding from a microlender that specializes in business startup loans.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is one of the MicroEnterprise program’s founding partners.  At the ceremony, Goodwill President/CEO Tom Feurig congratulated the students for taking a daunting first step:  “You are starting a journey down a path that has both challenges and rewards.”  Feurig added, “You are to be commended for that.”

Graduate Letty Balderas, a LaBelle salon owner, spoke at the graduation ceremony, and offered words of encouragement to her classmates.  “I’m proof,” she said. “You really can start a business in this economy.”  

The MicroEnterprise project is planning future courses throughout Southwest Florida.  Students may apply at http://www.swflmicro.com 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 Hendry County Economic Development Council, the Southwest Florida Enterprise Center, SCORE, and ACCION USA.  

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

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About Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc.:
Goodwill operates 25 thrift stores in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties 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.