Aspiring Entrepreneur Program ("A-Prog")

Rationale: Our country's economic system is called the "FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM" - which categorically states each American citizen's right to establish enterprises. As such, at any given time millions of Americans are on the lookout for "opportunities" to start their own business. Becoming a 'business-owner' (i.e., Entrepreneur) is, therefore, a very legitimate and important career choice for all of us in this 'land of opportunities'.

This is particularly true for people who are in a 'transitioning' phase of their lives and are seeking newer economic opportunities. Likewise, most established business-owners and investors are also constantly trying to identify investment or business 'opportunities'.

While the reasons for wanting to identify opportunities may be different for each person, very few actually know that there IS a systematic way of identifying and exploring business opportunities. The A-Program will enable you to systematically identify different possible business opportunities, and then to methodically filter these to zero in on the most viable one that suits your personal strengths, needs and limitations.

Target Market: This program is specifically designed for mature Persons-In-Economic-Transition, Professionals, Entrepreneurs/Investors who are seriously on the lookout for business opportunities, have the necessary willingness and determination, and would like to systematically explore, identify and pursue economic opportunities, and to then establish their own businesses.

Outline: The A-Program, made up of 2 five-month modules, is NOT a typical training program. During the first module three streams of activities happen in parallel: (a) the group meets every two weeks in a workshop environment, (b) each participant works on a 38-step Manual/Workbook (called the "Opportunity Notebook" specially designed for this program), and (c) each participant meets with his/her assigned 'personal coach/consultant' between workshop meetings to discuss progress on the O-Notebooks and emerging individual issues.

During the first half of this 10-month, participants work on their Opportunity Notebooks in consultation with their respective consultants.

In the second half, each participant is assigned an experienced business-owner to serve as his or her personal 'Mentor'. During this period participants finalize details of their Opportunity Notebooks, learn how to write Business Plan, and, with help of their Mentors, initiate steps to start their businesses.

ALSO, as part of the A-Program, during the 10-month period participants join in quarterly Business Networking events, attend additional subject-specific business seminars, participate in 'Expositions' and engage in other opportunities for enhancing confidence and ability to launch businesses and to become Entrepreneurs.

Majority of past participants were able to establish their own businesses even before formally completing the A-Program.