Northwest Arkansas entrepreneurs who feel like they’ve hit a dead end with their new business, or who have an idea but don’t know where to start, can find months of free training and support through EforAll.
The NWA branch of EforAll, short for Entrepreneurship for All, is one of several across the country accepting cohorts of business owners multiple times a year, with services available in English or Spanish.
The year-long program begins with several weeks of intensive education on topics such as developing a business model, finding customer segments and marketing. During the full year, they’re also matched with local volunteer mentors with entrepreneurship experience and can win grants of hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
“We are here to help anybody who wants to start and grow their business to do so in a planned and well-structured way so they can have a greater chance of success in the future,” said Rodrigo Salas, executive director of EforAll NWA.
His organization’s support isn’t limited to specific industries.
“We focus on the person and how willing are they to bring this project to life and, more importantly, be successful with their business,” Salas said. “Somebody’s going to be looking after you, and they’re going to be willing to help you and support you and get you where you need to be.”
EforAll, which is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, focuses on fostering inclusive entrepreneurship for people of all backgrounds, Salas said. He’ll join Robert Burns, the foundation’s Home Region Program Director, to talk more about that mission on LinkedIn Live on Friday, Dec. 15, at 11:30 a.m.
Leslie Villanueva, who went through the program for her lingerie business, said the program’s availability in Spanish made a huge difference in her confidence.
“I feel that EforAll helped me believe in myself,” she said. “EforAll is a package of benefits that can help any business be successful and move forward and to have their own independence as well as contribute to the community of Northwest Arkansas.”
Register online for the Dec. 15 event or visit EforAll’s website to learn more.
