Empowered Women International

Entrepreneur Training for Success

Program Overview

EWI’s Entrepreneur Training for Success (ETS) is an intensive 4-month business incubator, mentoring and training program that supports low-income, immigrant, and refugee women artists and creative entrepreneurs in the DC metro area.

The 60 hour instruction curriculum includes 6 teaching modules:

• Business Plan Development (11 classes)
• Financial Empowerment (3 classes)
• Business Lab (3 classes)
• Business Plan Pitch (1class)
• Mentoring (ongoing in-class and one-on-one)
• Graduation and Business Showcase (after completion of all training requirements)

All students are required to participate in the business plan pitch at the end of the program, and the graduation reception and business showcase. One-to-one consulting and mentoring is available to students and graduates year round. Low-income women receive scholarships to attend the program.

Since its inception in 2005, 170 women have graduated from the program, launched their own businesses, and improved their lives and livelihoods.

The program involves 46 hours of business training and 5 hours of in-class and in-person mentoring services provided by talented successful entrepreneurs. Low-income women receive scholarships to attend the program. Additionally, EWI will offer 3 seminars of 4 hours each in social media, legal and financial services, and business incorporation. Financial literacy courses of 2.5 h/month are offered monthly. One-to-one consulting and mentoring is available to graduates year round.

Graduates complete the entrepreneurship course with: a resume, biography and job interviewing skills, a solid business plan reviewed and vetted by a panel of entrepreneur judges, a website/blog and social media skills, and a ready-to-go business. Graduates launch their businesses, and sell their products/services at the graduation reception and business showcase sponsored by EWI at the end of the training.

After the program, each graduate continues to receive mentoring, marketing and sales opportunities, and capital access to grow her business.

This year, EWI has partnered with Capital One to offer financial advice, business plan review and other support services to students approaching graduation from our program. We also have a solid partner in ECDC EDC, which provides students and EWI graduates with access to capital through micro-loans, car loans and tax preparation services.

Learn more about the qualifications below. If you are interested in applying, apply here.

If you know a woman that you would like to recommend, nominate her here.

The Students

EWI students are talented and promising low-income or at risk immigrant, refugee or American-born women, who need business

knowledge, mentoring and support network to start up a small business and market their products or services.

We specialize in working with women artists, artisans and creative entrepreneurs. Our women entrepreneurs launch businesses in the following categories: arts, photography, music, theatre, design, fashion, games, food, beauty, fitness, health and nutrition, massage, and beyond art (cleaning).

Strong candidates for this program are those who have:

-  A clear business or social venture idea
-  A product or service ready for the market
-  The energy, passion, and commitment to lead and succeed
-  The ability and willingness to do home study, work independently and complete all assignments
-  The capacity to build a business plan and develop a marketable product or service
-  The determination to attend all 12 classes, 3 business boot camps, and graduation reception and business showcase

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate and enjoy the benefits of being an EWI graduate member, all students must:

• Attend all classes in the ETS (maximum two absences allowed)
• Complete all assignments
• Develop and present their business plan at the end of the training
• Participate in the graduation gala and business showcase and launch
• Commit to provide 12 hours of service during the three-month training, and 10 hours service after graduation. (Type of service include, but is not limited to: mentoring other women, teaching or showcasing art, products or services through EWI, participating as an ETS graduate speaker.)

Benefits of ETS

This is a holistic empowerment program through entrepreneurship, that brings women together, nurtures their growth and encourages leadership and innovation. We provide mentoring in class and outside the classes, offer referrals and support services to students in need, and bring talented and accomplished volunteer speakers, entrepreneurs and mentors to work one-on-one with our students to build their confidence and businesses.

Graduates of ETS will complete the training with:

• A vetted business plan reviewed by bankers at Capital One and other experts
• Web presence through social media, blogs or websites
• Marketing materials for print and online promotion
• Ready to go business
• Access to micro-loans, car loans and tax preparation services through EWI’s partner, ECDC EDC
• Business incorporation and other business legal help

• Improved English and business skills
• Increased confidence, self-esteem and leadership skills
• A network of support and business connections to help women grow their ventures and stay engaged in the community and marketplace

Graduates of the program qualify to:

• Promote and sell their work at EWI’s Graduation Gala, Business Showcase and Marketplace
• Market and sell their goods through EWI’s Micro-Enterprise Program and Artisans Marketplace, online and at various events and shows throughout the year
• Be featured in EWI’s online graduates directory

Entrepreneur in Residence:

Each year, students participate in a Business Plan Pitch at the end of the training.

Graduates present their business plan to a visiting panel of professionals and one or more promising entrepreneurs will be selected by a panel of business professionals as Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) with EWI.

For one year, the EIR will receive 20-25 hours of free business coaching and support, networking opportunities and marketing services to accelerate the opportunities to grow their businesses.