Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Coaching available for businesses

Attention business owners in Lincoln Park, West Duluth, Morgan Park, Central Hillside, and East Hillside neighborhoods

Businesses with storefronts in key neighborhoods are eligible to become a part of a special group to receive coaching on how to build their performance and grow. The Northeast Entrepreneur Fund in conjunction with The Greenstone Group and Duluth at Work is offering a new program, “Be Strategic. GROW your Business,” starting in October.

The program seeks business owners with established businesses in the Lincoln Park, West Duluth, Morgan Park, Central Hillside, and East Hillside neighborhoods who are committed to building their business performance and to growing their revenue.

Participants in the program will form a selective business strategy group of eight to 12 entrepreneurs from non-competing industries. Between October 2010 and March 2011 the group will meet for eight three-hour evening Growth Sessions led by a professional facilitator to develop strategic business plans with strategies and objectives for growth; address marketing, sales, finance, and management issues to develop goals and strategies for the future; and gain access to experts to move their business forward. Participants will also have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a Northeast Entrepreneur Fund business consultant for support and guidance as they move toward their goals.

To be eligible, business owners must have been in business for at least two years in the Lincoln Park, West Duluth, Morgan Park, Central Hillside, or East Hillside neighborhoods of Duluth. In addition, they must be committed to growing their business revenue by 25 percent over the next three years.

The program is provided at no cost to eligible business owners.

A free sample Growth Session will be held in September. All business owners interested in learning more about the program are encouraged to attend. For more details on the program and to register for the sample session, contact Mike Lattery at 218-623-5734 or michaell@entrepreneurfund.org.