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 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
February 5th - March 14th, 2024
Held at:
Public Works Building (Community Room)
815 Nicholas Parkway East
Cape Coral, FL 33990
If you need assistance with the application or would like to receive information on the schedule, please contact:
(239) 995-2106 ext. 2215 or email sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org
Counselors include SCORE representatives and experienced small business owners
February 26th - April 4th, 2024
Held at:
Collier Library
2385 Orange Blossom Drive
Naples, FL 34109
If you need assistance with the application or would like to receive information on the schedule, please contact:
(239) 995-2106 ext. 2215 or email sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org
Counselors include SCORE representatives and experienced small business owners
Held virtually
Computer & high speed internet required for this class
If you need assistance with the application or would like to receive information on the schedule, please contact:
(239) 995-2106 ext. 2215 or email sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org
Counselors include SCORE representatives and experienced small business owners
Location TBD
If you need assistance with the application or would like to receive information on the schedule, please contact:
(239) 995-2106 ext. 2215 or email sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org
Counselors include SCORE representatives and experienced small business owners
Stay tuned for future classes!
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
