Microbusiness Empowerment
The Microbusiness Empowerment Program gives a hand-up to diligent Dominicans who
long to own their own business. Better than a bootstrap, the program not only puts
material resources into the hands of qualifying Dominican, but also provides them with
the business knowledge and supervision they need to maximize their chance for success.
The program consists of a unique six-week course taught by successful
Dominican entrepreneurs on how to start, run, and grow a small business.
At the conclusion of the course, merchandise, tools, and equipment are
supplied to the budding entrepreneurs in agreement with their business
plan. A three-month period of supervision in the field follows.
To donate to the Microbusiness Empowerment Program go to the Donate Online
page. For more information about the program, email us at info@dominicanadvance.ca
Pastor and successful
businessman Rafael Contreras teaches a Microbusiness Empowerment class to
future small business owners.
Four Steps to Microbusiness Empowerment
Interview & Approval
The candidate makes application based on the referral of his or her pastor.
At the time of application, the candidate is interviewed as to their business
plan, experience, and aptitude to start a new business. After the interview,
candidates are selected by a board based on how well they are positioned
to succeed at the business they want to start.
Attending the Course
Dominican Advance's microbusiness course is uniquely crafted to instruct,
inspire, and equip the budding entrepreneur for future success. Classes
include: "Sound Money Management", "Getting & Keeping
Clientele", and "Turning Your Business Over to God". Course
attendees are taught how to define their product or service, their market,
goals, and competition.
Setting Up the Business
At the conclusion of the course, each candidate receives their own business
mission statement and a certificate of course completion. Then, merchandise,
tools and/or equipment is delivered to the business sites and the new
entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to put into practice the principles
they've learned from the course.
Follow Up Stage
After the fledging business has "opened its doors" - there
is a three month period of follow up that reinforces what was taught in
the course. This maximizes the possibility of a successful business start.
During this stage, the candidate attends two follow up meetings before
being released to discover the joy of owning his or her own business!
Dominican Advance has a 90% success rate at the one year
milestone of the new businesses started by people who have gone through the
Microbusiness Empowerment program.
