Program objectives
Training and Skill Development
Improve Access to Capital and Financial Resources
Training and Skill Development
Entrepreneurship Workshops:
Offer a series of workshops that cover business planning, financial literacy, marketing strategies, customer acquisition, operational efficiency and more.
Digital Literacy and E-commerce Training:
Provide training on digital tools to help entrepreneurs reach a wider audience and compete in the digital economy
Entrepreneurship Workshops:
Offer a series of workshops that cover business planning, financial literacy, marketing strategies, customer acquisition, operational efficiency and more.
Digital Literacy and E-commerce Training:
Provide training on digital tools to help entrepreneurs reach a wider audience and compete in the digital economy.
Job Skills Training: Focus on providing skills that are relevant to both entrepreneurs and their employees, such as customer service, sales techniques, and technical skills.
Mentorship and Networking
Improve Access to Capital and Financial Resources
Training and Skill Development
Mentorship Programs: Pair entrepreneurs with experienced mentors from various industries who can provide guidance, advice, and valuable connections.
Networking Events: Host regular networking events where entrepreneurs can meet potential collaborators, investors, and customers.
Industry Partnerships: Build relationships with established b
Mentorship Programs: Pair entrepreneurs with experienced mentors from various industries who can provide guidance, advice, and valuable connections.
Networking Events: Host regular networking events where entrepreneurs can meet potential collaborators, investors, and customers.
Industry Partnerships: Build relationships with established businesses to create opportunities for partnerships and knowledge exchange.
Improve Access to Capital and Financial Resources
Improve Access to Capital and Financial Resources
Improve Access to Capital and Financial Resources
Microloan Partnerships: Identify organizations and collaborate with financial institutions to provide microloans, grants, and low-interest funding options for entrepreneurs who may have limited access to traditional financing.
Pitch Contest & Business Showcase: Selected participants compete for seed funding, micro-grants, and in-kind busi
Microloan Partnerships: Identify organizations and collaborate with financial institutions to provide microloans, grants, and low-interest funding options for entrepreneurs who may have limited access to traditional financing.
Pitch Contest & Business Showcase: Selected participants compete for seed funding, micro-grants, and in-kind business support, while all presenters gain confidence, connections, and recognition as contributors to local economic development.
Local Market Engagement
Community Awareness & Engagement
Improve Access to Capital and Financial Resources
Local Business Partnerships: Facilitate collaboration between small businesses and local organizations to increase market access.
Buy Local Campaigns: Promote local entrepreneurship through community-wide campaigns that encourage residents to support small businesses in Natchitoches.
Pop-Up Markets and Events: Organize pop-up markets and f
Local Business Partnerships: Facilitate collaboration between small businesses and local organizations to increase market access.
Buy Local Campaigns: Promote local entrepreneurship through community-wide campaigns that encourage residents to support small businesses in Natchitoches.
Pop-Up Markets and Events: Organize pop-up markets and fairs where new businesses can showcase their products and services to the public.
Community Awareness & Engagement
Community Awareness & Engagement
Community Awareness & Engagement
Community Education Campaigns: Launch initiatives to raise awareness of the importance of small businesses in Natchitoches, highlighting job creation and local economic growth.
Celebrating Success Stories: Highlight successful entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities to inspire others and demonstrate the impact of inclusive economic development.
Supportive Infrastructure
Community Awareness & Engagement
Community Awareness & Engagement
Affordable Business Space: Work with local real estate developers and property owners to create affordable workspaces that entrepreneurs can use to launch and grow their businesses.
Incubators and Accelerators: Establish business incubators and accelerators that provide startups with the infrastructure, resources, and guidance needed for success.