East Hillsborough News

Lower-income individuals can receive no-cost entrepreneur and small business training to help them become their own bosses

Hillsborough County residents who want to work for themselves can participate in a series of no-cost collaborative discussions and one-on-one sessions with experienced business professionals to help get started.

The no-cost Self-Employment Workshop Program provides in-depth business training to lower-income individuals who want to be self-employed. Small-business consultants work closely with students throughout the program.

Sign-ups are underway for the 2022 fall workshop program, which begins in September. Candidates may apply through Aug. 19 and must show their income is no more than double the federal poverty level.

• Get more information and apply online or call (813) 204-9267.

The program focuses on practical skills - banking and finance, marketing, crafting a business plan - and general concepts such as thinking like an entrepreneur, choosing a business that's a good fit, and bracing for inevitable challenges. The idea is to give people who want to start their own business a clear vision of what they're getting into.

Students receive 38 hours of training over four months. Attendance is required and missed workshops must be made up to remain eligible for a monetary stipend provided at the program by Hillsborough County community partners.

Original source can be found here.