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Business Development Service Program/
Center for Women and Enterprise
About the Business Development Services Program
In cooperation with the Center for Women and Enterprise, the Economic Development Division has initiated several programs to simulate and support small business development especially among women and minority-owned businesses. These programs provide technical assistance to Cambridge residents who are interested in exploring business ideas, starting a new business, enhancing the viability of an existing business and/or learning to develop a business plan and developing a plan for financing a business. Workshops are offered free of charge in the fall and the spring for income-eligible Cambridge residents.
How to Start a Business Workshop
The workshop on How to Start a Business cover topics such as developing a business concept, the fundamentals of launching a small business, the risks and rewards of starting a business, choosing a for of corporate organization, assessing the market and assessing personal and financial readiness for entrepreneurship.
Business Plan Development
The workshop on Business Plan Development cover topics such as understanding the essential elements of a business plan, analyzing the market for a product or services, product and/or services competition, and creating simple financial projections to assess whether the business could be viable. Emphasis is more on whether the proposed business could be viable than on developing a polished written document.
Financial Literacy Training
Because of the high rate of business failures among small businesses, the Economic Development Division offers workshops concerning savings and financial management. Financial Literacy workshops cover topics such as the basics of financial management, savings plan development, budgeting, long-and short-term financial planning, understanding business financials, business capitalization and debt management.
For More Information
If you have questions about the Business Development Services Program or would like to receive more information, please contact the Center for Women and Enterprise, 24 School Street, Boston, MA 02108, www.cweonline.org at 617/536-0700.
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