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Want to Be Your Own Boss?

Finding a job you love can be difficult - so why not be your own boss instead? Goodwill's MicroEnterprise program provides aspiring small business owners with the skills they need to succeed as entrepreneurs and become more independent.

Services are offered to residents of Charlotte (including North Port), Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties.

 

What Is A Microenterprise?

Microenterprises are the backbone of our economy.

A microenterprise is any type of small business that has fewer than 5 employees and requires $35,000 or less to start-up, generally much less.

 

Did You Know?

• Microenterprises represent 90% of all businesses in the Southwest Florida.

• There are more than 26 million microenterprises in our country.

1 out of every 6 private sector employees in our country works for a microenterprise.

For More Information, Contact:

Sandra Plazas
Director of Community Education
(239) 995-2106, ext. 2304
sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org

Who Is Eligible?

Our MicroEnterprise program is designed to help individuals with low to moderate income levels and other disadvantages to start or stabilize their own businesses. If you have a great idea for a new business, the Goodwill SWFL MicroEnterprise Institute is available to aspiring small business owners who live in the Southwest Florida area.

An administrative fee may apply depending upon your income level. This pays for your course materials-but the rewards you reap will give you far more value!

Services are offered to residents of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and North Port counties.

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What Are the Classes Like?

Classes meet Monday and Thursday evenings for 6 weeks. In the Goodwill MicroEnterprise program, you will work with an instructor as well as a small business mentor who helps guide you through planning your business and shares their personal experiences. These classes will assist you in developing a feasibility plan that focuses on cash flow - the first and most critical step in creating a business plan. A strong business plan will help you not only run your business, but also apply for financial assistance.

After completion of the class and based on ability to repay, participants may be eligible to apply for a small loan through the Kiva Zip program, with Goodwill MicroEnterprise matching some funds.

In-person classes implement social distancing.

Available Classes

Cape Coral

February 20th - March 28th, 2024

May 13th - June 20th, 2024

August 5th - September 12th, 2024

Public Works Building (Community Room)
815 Nicholas Parkway East
Cape Coral, FL 33990

For application assistance or schedule information, contact:

Sandra Plazas
(239) 995-2106 ext. 2215
sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org

Counselors include SCORE representatives and experienced small business owners

Fort Myers

April 29th - June 6th, 2024

Southwest Florida Enterprise Center (SWFEC)
3903 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard
Suite 5
Fort Myers, FL 33916

For application assistance or schedule information, contact:

Sandra Plazas
(239) 995-2106 ext. 2215
sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org

Counselors include SCORE representatives and experienced small business owners

Naples

February 26th - April 4th, 2024

Collier Library
2385 Orange Blossom Drive
Naples, FL 34109

For application assistance or schedule information, contact:

Sandra Plazas
(239) 995-2106 ext. 2215
sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org

Counselors include SCORE representatives and experienced small business owners

Port Charlotte

June 17th - July 25th, 2024

Peachland Promenade Shopping Center
King's Highway CRC
24123 Peachland Boulevard
Port Charlotte, FL 33954

For application assistance or schedule information, contact:

Sandra Plazas
(239) 995-2106 ext. 2215
sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org

Counselors include SCORE representatives and experienced small business owners

Virtual

July 8th - August 15th, 2024

Computer & high speed internet required for this class

For application assistance or schedule information, contact:

Sandra Plazas
(239) 995-2106 ext. 2215
sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org

Counselors include SCORE representatives and experienced small business owners

More than 943 entrepreneurs have graduated from the Goodwill SWFL MicroEnterprise Institute, and many have successfully started their own businesses with education and other assistance from Goodwill and our partners. Please support our programs by supporting these businesses.

Funding Provided By

Major Funding Provided By:

Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation

• Bank of America

• Bank OZK

• BankUnited

• Charlotte State Bank

• CIT Bank

• City of Cape Coral

• City of Fort Myers

• City of North Port

• Comerica Bank

• Fifth Third Bank

• FineMark National Bank & Trust

• First Citizens Bank

• Regions Bank

• Synovus Bank

• TD Bank Foundation

• TIAA Bank Truist Bank

• US Department of Housing & Urban Development

• Wells Fargo Bank

• Zonta Foundation of SWFL

The SWFL MicroEnterprise Institute and its partners are mission-driven to help people become more independent

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc.'s registration # is 596196141. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free at 1 (800) 435-7352 within the state of Florida. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. 
PLEASE VISIT www.800helpfla.com FOR OFFICIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.