Garner, NC—The Town of Garner has partnered with Wake Tech and a network of local partners to bring LaunchGarner to the community. This 10-week immersive entrepreneurial course is designed to help prospective entrepreneurs and current small business owners get in-depth knowledge on how to develop and execute a business plan. The program also partners students with a mentor, who for six months, will help the student gain further insights in to how to operate a successful enterprise. The program is now seeking 10-20 students for the inaugural class.
To qualify, students must meet the following requirements:
Live or Work in the Garner area;
Demonstrate a need for financial and business resources;
Consent to interview by the selection committee;
Complete in-person business training once a week for 10 weeks;
Develop a business plan and budget;
Meet and communicate regularly with an assigned business mentor for 6 months;
Those interested in the program can apply online at launchGarner.com no later than Saturday, July 31, 2021. The selection process will include an online interview that will be scheduled during August. Those interested in applying can also attend one of three information sessions on June 24 at 12pm, July 12 at 6:30pm, and July 22 at 6:30pm. To register to attend an information session, please go to www.launchgarner.com.
Selected students will be required to attend 10 weeks (one session each week) of a small business course as well as an in-person orientation and graduation ceremony. The courses will be held virtually and are provided free of charge to all LaunchGarner participants. Each class is three hours long and will be scheduled on Thursday evenings beginning in September.
After the training, students are paired with experienced businessmen and women who will act as mentors for another six months. Students will also receive a free one-year members to the Garner Chamber of Commerce.
LaunchGarner is aimed at entrepreneurs who have a great idea but are unsure where or how to begin as well as those who are already in business and need to learn how to progress to the next level. At the end of the 10-week course, students will graduate with a business plan, marketing plan, and a path to make success a reality.
This program would not be possible without the support of the following: Wake Technical Community college, the Garner Chamber of Commerce, Garner Rotary Clubs, the Town of Garner, Garner Economic Development Corporation, the Downtown Garner Association, and many other community partners.
For more information regarding economic development matters in the Town of Garner, contact Joe Stallings at 919-773-4431 or jstallings@garnernc.gov.