The Community Colleges of Spokane Center for Workforce and Continuing Education and the Avista Center for Entrepreneurship jointly created and delivered its first Small Business Boot Camp this spring. The 8-week evening program provides an accelerated, non-credit curriculum specifically designed to help prepare entrepreneurs for launching their businesses as well as helping existing businesses grow and be sustainable.
This affordable program meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30pm – 8:00pm over an 8 week period. Of the 15 individuals who enrolled in the pilot program, which just wrapped up on June 4th, 12 have launched their businesses or intend to launch in the near future. The program is designed to help determine the viability of a business idea, establish start-up costs and cash flow projections, identify customers, and learn from local subject matter experts. It’s a hands-on course designed to have individuals work through the critical elements of their idea or business throughout the 8 week program. Ideas and plans from the first program ranged from lifestyle oriented to high growth businesses.
The pilot program was very successful, and the Community Colleges of Spokane have decided to continue offering the program three times throughout the calendar year. Following is the upcoming Small Business Boot camp schedule through mid-2016:
Fall quarter September 28, 2015 – November 19, 2015
Winter quarter February 2, 2016 – March 24, 2016
Spring quarter April 12, 2016 – June 2, 2016
Individuals who complete the small business boot camp program and present their business plan on the final evening are eligible to apply for the Avista micro-enterprise loan, which allows for a one-time loan up to $15,000 for qualified individuals.
The Small Business Boot Camp fills a necessary education gap in our community for individuals who are interested in learning the skills and tools necessary to start and/or grow their business. To learn more about the Small Business Boot Camp, or to enroll, please click here
