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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!
Session 1
Date: Wednesdays, January 22, 29 and February 05
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructor: Claire Wheeler
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 plan for a path forward that includes business ownership.
Space is prioritized for new participants.
Registration: Register online by selecting the button below, or contact Claire Wheeler by email, or call 802-846-7081
Registration Deadline: January 15
Session 1
Date: Mondays, January 27 - March 24
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructors: Claire Wheeler & Maxine McGowan
Description: This student-centered class introduces topics related to starting a business in Vermont, and is co-taught by instructors from the Inclusive Entrepreneurship and English Language Learning programs.
Each class will include vocabulary instruction and examples of cultural practices essential for exploring entrepreneurship. Students will have opportunities to practice open conversations and learn directly from business owners.
Registration: This class is designed for intermediate-to-advanced level English language learners. All interested students should contact Raquel Aronhime by email, or call 802-846-7162 to schedule a chat to review level of English prior to enrolling.
Registration Deadline: January 15
Date: Wednesdays, January 22 - March 12
Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: Online
Registration Deadline: January 15
Session 2
Date: Thursdays, April 10 - May 29
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Registration Deadline: April 01
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Explore the multiple roles of business ownership and learn tricks and tools for managing time across those roles.
Registration: Register online by selecting the registration button above for the session you would like to attend. You may also contact Claire Wheeler by email, or call 802-846-7081
Session 1
Date: Tuesdays, January 21 - March 25
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Session 2
Date: Tuesdays, April 08 - June 03
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. Contact Claire by email or call 802-846-7081
Registration Deadline: Ongoing
Session 1
Date: Thursdays, January 23 - March 27
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Where: In-person at Mercy Connections
Instructor: Heather Gilbert
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' Mercy Marketplace fair that takes place in November 2025.
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.
How to Register: Select the button below to register online, or contact Heather Gilbert by email, or call 802-846-7294
Registration Deadline: Ongoing
Session 2
Date: Wednesdays, April 09 - June 04
Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: Online
Instructor: Claire Wheeler
Description: Business owners are invited to gather in community to brush up on essential tools, tricks and skills for running a business.
Register once to attend all of the sessions, or just attend for topics that interest you.
Topics to be announced! Stay tuned.
How to Register: Select the button below to register online, or contact Claire Wheeler by email, or call 802-846-7081
Registration Deadline: April 01
Apply by February 15 to Join Cohort 71!
Date: Wednesdays, February 19 - June 04
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Online, with an in-person graduation ceremony
Instructors: Claire Wheeler, Ashley Sandy and Heidi Brown
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 will 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 $2,500, 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 to offer Advancement Grants to cover the cost of tuition for income-eligible students.
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.
How to Apply: Select the button below to register online, or contact Claire Wheeler by email, or call 802-846-7081
Application Deadline: February 15
Questions? Contact Claire Wheeler, Director of Inclusive Entrepreneurship, at 802-846-7081 or email cwheeler@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