The Center for Women and Enterprise Partners with Central Falls to Run RI Foundation Funded Retail Boot Camp and Mentoring Program
The Center for Women and Enterprise Partners with Central Falls to Run RI Foundation Funded Retail Boot Camp and Mentoring Program
CENTRAL FALLS, RI –The Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE) has partnered with The City of Central Falls to bring the RI Foundation funded Retail Boot Camp and Mentoring Program to the city. The free eight-week program starts in March and aims to prepare serious Rhode Island entrepreneurs for the opening and operation of their brick-and-mortar retail establishment. The program also welcomes online, pop ups, established, and start-up businesses. If you are interested in this once in a lifetime program you can apply on their website; space is limited. The application deadline is February 13, 2019 and the program starts on March 4, 2019. Classes will take place on Monday evenings from 6-9pm; location TBA.
During the two-month program, participants will be educated on brick-and-mortar regulations, location selections, marketing, technology, pricing and inventory, and more. Participants will have the chance to compete in a pitch contest with a judging panel comprised of lenders, entrepreneurs and community partners. After successful completion of the program, participants will receive six months of mentoring which will be one session every two weeks. Mentoring will include one-on-one support with industry experts to help tackle specific business challenges in preparation for launching their businesses.
“I was fortunate enough to find CWE’s Retail Bootcamp Program at a time when I was looking to grow my business and take it to the next level,” said owner of “Celebrated” dessert shop, Becky Morris. “It was an absolute pleasure being a part of the first group invited into the program. Over the course of 8 weeks, I was challenged to show up for myself, my business, and my fellow entrepreneurs, and I’m so glad I did! The program taught me the importance of defining my target audience, delegating, networking with professionals in their field of expertise, and creating a business model. At the end of the boot camp, I had gained the knowledge and confidence to pitch my business to a room full of prospective clients. I highly recommend the retail boot camp to anyone seeking the support and guidance in launching their business idea.”
“We want to prepare brick and mortar, pop-up shops, online, established and startup businesses in the Central Falls area to be successful because we believe there is a lot of untapped potential in the state’s smallest city,” said CWE Rhode Island Director Maryellen O’Mahony. “Many people have great ideas, energy and ambition but can benefit from the advice and training of business experts; that is where the Retail Boot Camp and Mentoring Program comes in.”
“The CWE Retail Boot Camp and Mentoring Program is a great way to ensure that new businesses in the City start off on the right foot,” said Mayor James A. Diossa. “This program also helps established businesses adapt to new commerce and marketing techniques to flourish in this climate. I am excited to have this available to our residents.”
For more information on this great opportunity please call, Nancy Vargas at 401- 277-0800 or email NVargas@CWEonline.org.
About Center for Women and Enterprise
The Center for Women & Enterprise is a nationally known nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people start and grow their businesses. CWE has worked with more than 46,000 Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont entrepreneurs since 1995. CWE also operates the Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England (VBOC of NE) that focuses on assisting veterans, active duty service members and their families with starting and growing their business.
About RI Foundation
The Rhode Island Foundation is a proactive community and philanthropic leader dedicated to meeting the needs of the people of Rhode Island. Founded in 1916, the Rhode Island Foundation is one of the nation’s oldest and largest community foundations. We are Rhode Island’s only community foundation and the largest funder of Rhode Island’s nonprofit sector.