MicroEnterprise

Want to Be Your Own Boss?

Finding a job you love can be difficult - so why not be your own boss instead? Goodwill's MicroEnterprise program provides aspiring small business owners with the skills they need to succeed as entrepreneurs and become more independent.

Services are offered to residents of Charlotte (including North Port), Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties.

What Is A Microenterprise?

Microenterprises are the backbone of our economy.

A microenterprise is any type of small business that has fewer than 5 employees and requires $35,000 or less to start-up, generally much less.

Did You Know?

• Microenterprises represent 90% of all businesses in the Southwest Florida.

• There are more than 26 million microenterprises in our country.

• 1 out of every 6 private sector employees in our country works for a microenterprise.

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For More Information, Contact:

Sandra Plazas
Director of Community Education
(239) 995-2106, ext. 2304
sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org

Many thanks to Zonta Foundation of SWFL for their support:

The Zonta Foundation of SWFL provides small grants to empower Lee County women in business and help them to launch or strengthen their businesses.

The Zonta grants awarded through the Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute, are solely for graduates of the MicroEnterprise Institute.

For more information about the Zonta Foundation of SWFL,
visit zontasancap.com/zonta-foundation-swfl

Who Is Eligible?

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 Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and North Port counties.

What Are the Classes Like?

Classes meet Monday and Thursday evenings for 6 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 run your business, but also 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 matching some funds.

In-person classes implement social distancing.

English Application Form

Spanish Application Form

Available Classes

Cape Coral

February 10 - March 20, 2025

West Cape Coral Community Resource Center
1499 SW Pine Island Rd.
Cape Coral, FL 33991
(Located inside the Goodwill Retail Store)

For application assistance or schedule information, contact:

Sandra Plazas
(239) 995-2106 ext. 2215
sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org