Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. 100% of individuals complete business planning course have a business plan <br />. 1 out of every 10 individuals attending the business planning course (16) starts their business <br />within 12 months <br />. 50% of individuals who graduate from course (40) experience an income increase <br />. 60% of graduates (48) are able to reduce their reliance on public assistance <br />. 50% of graduates who start a business (8) are still operating three years later <br />. 50% of graduates who start a business (8) will grow that business large enough to hire additional <br />employees <br /> <br />In addition to the free self-assessment sessions and the business plan development course, The Future <br />Business Owners Program will develop a plan for supporting those individuals that go on to establish <br />their microenterprise. These supports will include: <br /> <br />Mentorship Program: Initially mentors will be recruited from community small business owners and <br />members of SCORE. As the program develops a track record of success, graduates who have gone on <br />to develop their own businesses will be afforded the opportunity to mentor new students in the program. <br />The mentorship program will have a formal structure and each team of mentor and program graduate will <br />be asked to develop a list of goals, a consistent meeting schedule, and a plan for accomplishing goals. <br />Providing structure for this program will increase its benefit and ensure that the results of the program <br />are more easily documented and evaluated. <br /> <br />Peer Support Group: As individuals begin to develop their businesses a regularly scheduled session will <br />be developed for budding entreprenuers to come together and share struggles, successes, and <br />knowledge. These sessions will also afford the staff the opportunity to obtain feedback from clients as to <br />how useful the courses were and what additional needs the clients have. Information gathered in this <br />forum will be used to make improvements and additions to the overall program. <br /> <br />Advanced Classes: FBOP will develop a partnership with SCORE such that a selection of their <br />advanced classes can be offered to program graduates. These will available at a low-cost. <br /> <br />Networking/Businesses Fairs: Events will be coordinated in order for the program graduates to <br />network with business-to-business providers as well as to promote their own products and services to the <br />community. Cost for participation in these events will vary based on the content, location, and size of the <br />event. As with all other events, participants will be asked to complete an evaluation so that future events <br />can be improved as needed. <br /> <br />Page 4 of 4 <br /> <br />EXHIBIT A <br />