Is entrepreneurship right for you?
WEB offers three programs designed to take aspiring entrepreneurs from initial concept to a detailed plan to business launch and even expansion. See our latest schedule and locations.
Small Biz 101 provides a 90 minute overview of the rewards and demands of starting and operating a small business, including the risks, time commitment, etc. Delivered to the public at no cost in communities throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area, Small Biz 101 also explains WEB's continuum of assessment, training, and coaching services as well as the admission criteria and application process for our intensive business training programs.
RIGHT START a six-week program that guides students through a structured evaluation process to decide whether business ownership fits their professional needs and personal expectations. In the program, students decide:
- Is my business idea viable?
- Do I have the necessary skills to succeed and how do I acquire additional skills? What resources are available to me?
- What are the practical challenges and realistic financial rewards of owning my own business?
- What are the next steps to starting my own business?
RIGHT START is a good fit for individuals with little or no business experience
Our twelve-week READY TO WRITE program takes aspiring entrepreneurs through a step-by-step process for creating and sustaining successful businesses. Participants :
- Refine their business concept
- Analyze their target market and pricing strategies
- Learn business management basics - financial management, licensing, and business computing
- Set realistic revenue and expense projections
- Develop a detailed business plan
- Hear from community experts and so much more.......
To ensure the sustainability of WEB-built businesses, graduates receive three months of free technical assistance, access to WEB's computer lab, and mentoring from WEB's staff and extensive network of volunteer business professionals.
By combining one-on-one support, intensive business training, and ongoing technical assistance, WEB has achieved success rates that exceed national averages. After three years, 71% of WEB-built business are still thriving compared to the national average of 56%.*
* 2007 Aspen Institute Program Impact Study