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Inclusive Entrepreneurship
Inclusive Entrepreneurship
Build a Solid Foundation for Success
The inclusive entrepreneurship programs at Mercy Connections provide education and access for people traditionally excluded from the business world. Whether you are pursuing a side project, self-employment, or a scalable small business, we are here to help!
Description: Individualized business coaching is offered for all aspiring, new and established business owners who need specialized support and technical assistance moving forward with their business.
Each participant may access up to three 1-hour coaching sessions.
Registration Deadline: September 18
Coaching with Jacob Cribbs
Date: Mondays, October 07 - December 09
Time: 1-hour sessions by appointment between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections, online or by phone
Registration: Contact Jacob by email, or call 802-846-7390
Coaching with Claire Wheeler
Date: Tuesdays, September 17 - December 10
Time: 1-hour sessions by appointment between 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections, online or by phone
Registration: Contact Claire by email, or call 802-846-7081
Date: Tuesdays, September 17-December 10
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructor: Claire Wheeler
Description:
This class is for participants who are looking for community and support as they start their new business. Launch Pad is a supported, drop in, co-working space for folks actively working to start a new business. Participants work alongside other entrepreneurs to take action and get support on tasks to get their business up and running. The Inclusive Entrepreneurship program staff will offer help on everything from registering a business or setting up bookkeeping software, to building a marketing strategy.
Registration: Interested students must schedule a chat with Claire Wheeler before enrollment in order to survey each person's needs and ensure fit.
Registration Deadline: September 18
Date: Thursdays, September 19 - December 12
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Facilitators: Heather Gilbert & Vicky Tamas
Registration: Register online by clicking the button below or call/email Heather at 802-846-7294
Registration Deadline: September 18
Limited spots are available - a waitlist will be maintained if needed
Description: Crafters and makers are supported in a co-working environment to develop and create products to sell at craft and art fairs, including Mercy Connections' own "Mercy Marketplace" fair that takes place in November, 2024.
Participants work one-on-one with instructors to design and create products, hone time and project management skills and set sales goals for vending opportunities that they wish to pursue.
Date: Tuesdays, September 17-December 10
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructor: Heather Gilbert & Jacob Cribbs
Description: This course is for artists and crafters who have dreamed of selling their work. In this 13-week vendor training program, participants will apply project management skills to explore how to sell products to the public.
Students will learn how to assess the market for products and discover what makes their work unique. They will also learn how to create a budget, price products, how to work with customers and handle money.
The class includes a field trip to the Old Mill Craft shop at the Snowflake Bentley Museum on October 29th, and culminates in a marketplace experience held at Mercy Connections on November 23rd.
Registration: Select the button below to register online, or contact Heather Gilbert by email, or call 802-846-7294
Registration Deadline: September 18
Date: First and Third Wednesdays, September 18 - December 11
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructor: Jacob Cribbs
Description: Join this facilitated peer-to-peer support circle to discuss important issues and challenges unique to LGBTQIA2S+ business owners in the state of Vermont.
Topics include resource navigation, marketing, visibility, aspects of business ownership and management, finances, skill shares, and explorations of personal and interpersonal strategies for successful business endeavors.
Registration: Select the button below to register online, or contact Jacob Cribbs by email, or call 802-846-7390
Registration Deadline: September 18
Apply by August 21st
Cohort 68 Schedule
Start Date: Monday, August 26 (students gain access to the online classroom)
Zoom Classes Meet: Every Wednesday from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
First Class: Wednesday, August 28
Last Class: Wednesday, December 18
Description
Start Up is a semester-long business planning course for women, transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming adults.
The class has a 30+year history, and many local business owners have been through the course and gone on to operate successful businesses. The curriculum covers the fundamentals of business planning through three content areas in depth: marketing, finance, and operations, and is taught by instructors who are also women business owners. In addition to gaining expertise in these areas, we’ll connect as a group around the business planning process, personal wellbeing, and the realities of business ownership.
You’ll graduate knowing what you need to do to start and operate a successful business, and you’ll have completed a comprehensive, realistic business plan that you can use to guide you and to take to a lender if you decide you’ll need funding. This course is also great for people who are already in business and want to reinvent their business or take it to the next level.
Class size is intentionally small, so you’ll get lots of personal attention and form lasting bonds with your classmates. This cohort-based design adds incredible value to the learning experience and has been described as “life-changing” by many of our previous graduates. The class is designed to meet a variety of learning styles — you’ll be asked to review lessons each week in the online classroom before the class meets on Zoom, and in class we’ll review and cover new content.
All Zoom classes are recorded and slides used in class are posted so you can watch replays anytime. We use an online business planning tool that streamlines your writing and financial projections. You’ll also get regular time to check in with me to ensure satisfaction with your learning experience and business plan.
Tuition and Assistance
The tuition for the course is $2500, and mandatory fees include the $25 application fee and a $90 license fee for a dedicated LivePlan account for 6 months (online business planning software). We are grateful to partner with the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) to offer Advancement Grants to cover the cost of tuition for income-eligible students, and I can send you the application instructions after our interview.
For students who are not awarded a VSAC grant, we are pleased to offer flexible interest-free payment plans, and sliding scale tuition reduction. A 5% discount for full payment up front before the first class is also available.
Apply by August 21st
Date: Mondays, October 07 - December 09
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructor: Claire Wheeler
Description: In this introductory series, participants can learn about a variety of topics to support them in starting and operating a small business in Vermont.
Register once and attend all, or just drop in for the sessions that are of interest to you.
1. Design Your Business Model Using the Business Model Canvas - October 07
Design a one-page business model using the Business Model Canvas; a graphic business planning tool that displays nine interconnected core components of any business.
2. How to Register Your Business - October 21
Understand the process of registering a business in Vermont as well as how to get set up with state agencies, such as the Department of Taxes and Department of Labor.
3. Intro to Marketing and Branding - October 28
Define and understand the difference between marketing and branding and how to put together a simple marketing strategy for your business.
4. How to Create Your Own Website - November 04
Explore different website platforms, understand the content needed to develop a website, and learn about the behind-the-scenes functionality required to launch a website for a business.
5. Intro to Business Finance and Bookkeeping - November 11
Understand the basics of financial accounting, including the different accounting methods, categories, and reports. Participants will walk away with a solid routine for DIY bookkeeping.
6. Paying Yourself and Your Taxes as a Business Owner - November 18
Understand the different ways that one can pay themself as a business owner, as well as what to expect and plan for regarding income tax.
7. Managing Risk for Your Business - November 25
Evaluate the risks taken on in business, and the ways to limit our mitigate those risks including insurance, policies, procedures and contracts.
8. Time Management for Business Owners - December 02
Explore the multiple roles of business ownership and learn tricks and tools for managing time across those roles.
Registration: Register online by selecting the button below, or contact Jacob Cribbs by email, or call him at 802-846-7390
Date: Wednesdays, October 09, 16, 23
Time: 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructor: Jacob Cribbs
Description: This is a six-hour workshop that spans over the course of three sessions. Each session is two hours long. The workshop is designed to introduce aspiring adult entrepreneurs to self-employment and to assist with creating a vision and a plan for a path forward that incudes business ownership. Space is prioritized for new participants.
Registration: Register online by selecting the button below, or contact Jacob by email, or call 802-846-7390
Date: Wednesdays, September 25-October 30
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: Zoom
Instructor: Claire Wheeler
Description: LGBTQIA2S+ business owners are invited to gather in community to brush up on essential tools, tricks and skills required to run a business.
Register once and attend all, or just drop in for the sessions that are of interest to you.
1. Time Management - September 25
Explore the multiple roles of business ownership and learn tricks and tools for managing time across those roles.
2. Money Management - October 09
Revisit advice for maintaining a cool head and managing finances as a business owner.
3. Navigating Risk and Legal Compliance - October 23
Review business requirements and regulations to rest easy knowing that you are doing it right!
4. Revisiting Your Marketing Strategy - October 30
Refresh your marketing strategy by revisiting your initial ideas and updating them based on what you know; from ideal clients, to pricing, to marketing channels.
Registration: Register online by clicking the button below, or email Jacob Cribbs, or call 802-846-7390
Questions? Contact Jacob Cribbs, Inclusive Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator, at 802-846-7390 or jcribbs@mercyconnections.org
“This course came at a point in my life that challenged me to practice focusing, organizing my thoughts, and sharing what is deep down in my heart. It also gave me the space to be vulnerable and put my dreams out into the world.’
— Andrea DiMedio
Andrea DiMedio Photography