Our MicroEnterprise program is designed to help individuals with low to moderate income levels and other disadvantages to start or stabilize their own businesses. If you have a great idea for a new business, the Goodwill SWFL MicroEnterprise Institute is available to aspiring small business owners who live in the Southwest Florida area.
An administrative fee may apply depending upon your income level. This pays for your course materials-but the rewards you reap will give you far more value! Services are offered to residents of Lee, Collier, Charlotte, North Port, Hendry and Glades Counties.
Classes meet Monday and Thursday evenings for six weeks. In the Goodwill MicroEnterprise Program, you will work with an instructor as well as a small business mentor who helps guide you through planning your business and shares their personal experiences. These classes will assist you in developing a feasibility plan that focuses on cash flow- the first and most critical step in creating a business plan. A strong business plan will help you not only to run your business, but also to apply for financial assistance. After completion of the class and based on ability to repay, participants may be eligible to apply for a small loan through the Kiva Zip program with Goodwill MicroEnterprise providing some matching funds.
In person classes with social distancing and Masks required during COVID
Held in-person at:
Public Works Building
Community Room
815 Nicholas Parkway East
Cape Coral, FL 33990
If you need assistance with the application or you would like to receive information on the schedule, please contact (239) 995-2106, ext. 2215, or email
annettewatkins@goodwillswfl.org
Counselors include SCORE representatives and experienced small business owners
Held in-person at:
Collier Library
2385 Orange Blossom Drive
Naples, FL 34109
If you need assistance with the application or you would like to receive information on the schedule, please contact (239) 995-2106, ext. 2215, or email
annettewatkins@goodwillswfl.org
Counselors include SCORE representatives and experienced small business owners
Held in-person at:
Hodges University
Kleist Community Room
4501 Colonial Boulevard
Fort Myers, FL 33996
If you need assistance with the application or you would like to receive information on the schedule, please contact (239) 995-2106, ext. 2215, or email
annettewatkins@goodwillswfl.org
Counselors include SCORE representatives and experienced small business owners
TBA
More than 943 entrepreneurs have graduated from the Goodwill SWFL MicroEnterprise Institute, and many have successfully started their own
businesses with education and other assistance from Goodwill and our partners. Please support our programs by supporting these businesses.
The SWFL MicroEnterprise Institute and its partners are mission-driven to help people become more independent.
Additional Resources Assistance
Goodwill SWFL MicroEnterprise Institute 2021-2022 Program Funders
