SandhillsSentinel

Sandhills Community Action Program (SCAP), The NC Community Action Association and The Entrepreneur/Small Business Outreach Program (ESBOP) have partnered to recruit aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to launch a new product or service. 

The aspiring entrepreneur with the best pitch will receive $10,000 to help launch their business. 

The Program is open to low-income residents of Moore, Richmond, Montgomery or Anson Counties.  Applicants will be screened and reduced to 20 participants. 

The deadline to apply is March 23, 2019 and the group meetings begin March 30, 2019.  Participants must commit to meeting one Saturday a month for 10 weeks, from 9 a.m. – 12 noon, at the Douglas Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Southern Pines.  The eleventh week (June 8, 2019) is the Pitch Competition.

Nina Walker, Executive Director of SCAP said “We want to encourage and reward the entrepreneurial spirit of low-income people.  This is an excellent opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs, who happen to be low-income, to launch their own business.  Entrepreneurs impact jobs & economic growth.  The $10,000.00 award will go a long way toward getting a small business off the ground and helping someone move past their current circumstances to change their future.” 

LeRoy Thompson, of ESBOP and the Program Facilitator, said “During the 10 weeks, participants will develop and fine-tune their business ideas, map out their next steps using real-time customer feedback, learn valuable management and marketing skills and receive constructive feedback from advisers, peers and local businesses.” 

By the end of the program, participants will have their own business plan and the eleventh week will culminate in a Pitch Competition where the best business idea wins $10,000 to help launch the business. 

On Saturday, March 23, 2019, from 10 a.m. – 12 noon, ESBOP and SCAP will host a Launch Event for the program at the Douglas Community Center.  The public is invited.

To enroll or to learn more about the program, visit the website at www.icare2dream.com; call LeRoy Thompson Consultants at (865)363-2004 or contact the SCAP Central Office in Southern Pines at (910) 947-5675.

 

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