SBA Training Initiative Deadline Nears
FRESNO - The SBA Fresno District Office is seeking small business owners for its third round of the Emerging Leaders Initiative.
“SBA has reauthorized this nationally acclaimed Jobs Growth curriculum in Fresno to take another group of Fresno small businesses to the next level of growth and success,” said Fresno SBA District Director Carlos Mendoza.
In 2011 and 2012 SBA collaborated with many local business development partners to implement this “mini-MBA” opportunity, which was brought to Fresno as the result of the City being designated a Strong Cities, Strong Communities City. During the 2012 Fresno initiative, 12 small business entrepreneurs graduated from the program and several of these business graduates have already experienced job creation and growth in revenue. Graduates in the first round received similar results.
Participation is free to qualifying small businesses with SBA picking up the tuition. The curriculum is administered by the well-respected non-profit Interise of Boston (http://www.interise.org/) and is patterned after its signature StreetWise ‘MBA’program. Criteria for participation include having been in business for a minimum of three years, having one paid employee separate from the owner and gross annual sales of at least $400,000. Preference will be given to businesses located in the city of Fresno.
The eight-month training includes approximately 100 hours of classroom time per participant and provides the opportunity for small business owners to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and financial communities.
Classes are scheduled to begin April 17, 2013 and will be held in the evenings at the SBA Fresno District Office at 801 R Street in downtown Fresno. Deadline to apply for the program is this Friday, March 22.
For additional information on participation criteria and nomination forms visit the SBA website atwww.sba.gov/ca/fresno, by email at lupe.cota@sba.gov or by telephone at (559) 487-5791.
