Senator Richter Delivers Keynote to MicroEnterprise Graduates

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Sept. 9, 2013 - PRLog -- The Goodwill Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute graduated four hopeful entrepreneurs on September 5.  The ceremony was held at the Naples Chamber of Commerce (2390 Tamiami Trail North, Naples). The session marks Collier County’s second graduating MicroEnterprise class. Classes have previously been held throughout Lee and Charlotte Counties.

The Goodwill Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute is a training program to help emerging entrepreneurs start new ventures and grow small businesses. Graduates complete a 12-module business and management training course over six weeks and work with mentors who are successful businesspersons.

Delivering the keynote address was Senator Garrett Richter, who was elected President Pro Tempore of the Senate in November, 2012.

“You are on a journey pursuing the American Dream,” Richter told the graduates. “It is directly in your path.”

Graduates Michael Doody, Mark Gionfriddo, Pamela Schmidt, and Alex Terronez were all on hand to receive the certificates symbolizing their completion of the small business training course.

“This is absolutely a tremendous program,” graduate Schmidt told the crowd. “Terrific speakers. Subjects from marketing, insurance, all people who answered our questions about starting our own business.”

Session facilitator Joanne Show and session coaches Bob Murray and Julie Pekrul also attended the graduation and received certificates of appreciation. Sherri Lange also served as a coach but, was not on hand for the event.

The next MicroEnterprise session starts September 10 and will be held in Port Charlotte. To apply visit www.goodwillswfl.org/microenterprise.

The Goodwill Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute is administrated by Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida and is part of Goodwill’s mission to help people with disabilities and disadvantages overcome their barriers to employment and independence. To learn more about the SWFL MicroEnterprise Institute, please visit www.goodwillswfl.org/microenterprise or (239) 995-2106 ext. 2219.

For more information about Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, visit www.goodwillswfl.org.