How WIBO Works
You start with
The business idea
WIBO helps you bring your business idea to life through our 16 weeks “How to Build a Growing Profitable Business” workshop. For 16 weeks you and others will be learning and putting into action the steps to start your business or improve an existing business. Participants in the WIBO 16-Week Workshop gain a solid foundation to start and grow a profitable business.
Instruction
Volunteer faculty model
- Workgroup leader – class facilitator responsible for homework review and leads first half of class; 16-week commitment
- Discussion leader – Subject matter expert that leads second half of the class; different instructor for each topic.
Class Format
- 3 hours
- 1 ½ homework discussion / 1 ½ new topic discussion
- Highly participatory
- Case study based discussion
What you will learn
Marketing & Sales
2.Identifying Your Target Market: The Message
3.Promoting Your Business: The Marketing Campaign
4.Searching for Customers: Prospecting
5.Helping People Buy: Sales
Break Even Analysis
7.Making a Profit: Costs
8.Making a Profit: Financial Decision Making
Financing Your Business
10.Financing Your Business Growth: Cash Flow Projections
11.Using Other People’s Money: Credit & Financing
Running Your Business
13. Business Presentation: Elevator Pitch
14.Controlling Finances: Recordkeeping & Taxes
15.Ensuring Lasting Success: Ethics and the Law
16.Ensuring Economic Independence: Personal Finance
Shreveport cohort will begin on Thursday, November 7, 2019
Registration for Fall 2019 is open, sign up by clicking the button at the bottom.
The fee to attend the WIBO workshop is $200.00. Your $25.00 non-rfundable registration fee is applied to the workshop fee. WIBO Shreveport have scholarships available. Inquire about scholarships during your interview.
Ready to Start Your Business?
Applying to WIBO is Easy. Start Now!
1. Complete the application
This will tell us a little information about your business and your interest in WIBO. This will help us assess your readiness for the WIBO 16-Week Workshop.
At the end of the application, there will be a $25.00 non-refundable deposit to complete your submission. Once you have submitted your application, you will be able to schedule your interview.
2. The Interview
This is where we get to know you and your business personally. This is also your opportunity to ask any questions about WIBO.
WIBO is a rigorous program designed for people with serious passion and purpose who are committed to being successful business owners. If after our discussion, we determine WIBO isn’t a good fit, no worries. We’ll suggest other resources that can be helpful. We certainly encourage you to come back to us once you have a solid idea and you are really ready to commit yourself to success. If WIBO is a fit, you move on to the next step!
3. Pay and Register!
Once you receive notification of your acceptance, your next step is to process a payment. The cost for the program is $200.00 however, we have need-based scholarships available.
Income-based scholarship
Patriots Program, a scholarship for veterans
Gutenstein Family Foundation Entrepreneurial Re-entry Program, a scholarship for people recently released from incarceration
Please let us know during the interview process if your income is below $35,000.00 or if you believe you are a match for one of the above scholarships.
We have scholarships available
As a nonprofit, we receive grants to help make the workshop affordable for participants. The Workshop fee ranges from $100.00-$350.00 based on household income. Once accepted, submit scholarship documentation and pay the workshop fee.
Additional Services Upon Graduation
WIBO plus our alumni association and our partners are here to assist you as soon as you complete the 16-week workshop. Here are some of the services you will have access to upon completion of the workshop.
WIBO Academy
WIBO Academy is our online learning platform where you can improve your entrepreneur knowledge and skills through our advanced courses. These courses are designed to help you grow your business past the initial start-up phase and get on the way to a successful growing company.
Free Financial Counseling!
At the Financial Empowerment Center operated by Restoration Corp while enrolled in the 16-week workshop. You can meet one-on-one with a financial counselor who can help you:
Free Business Center Counseling!
At the Brooklyn Business Center operated by Restoration Corp you can meet one-on-one with a business center counselor who can help you: