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OUR MISSION

BUSINESS TRAINING

Enterprise for Equity's mission is to ensure that individuals with limited incomes in the South Sound region have access to training, support, and financial resources to foster the growth of their own small businesses. We firmly believe in the transformative power of individuals who bring their unique strengths, initiative, and dreams to their entrepreneurial endeavors, and we take great pride in our contribution towards their success.

BUSINESS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 

We believe in providing spaces for communities of entrepreneurs. Almost all of our business development programs are taught in a classroom format (vs. one on one) as a way of bringing together people who are smart, strong, and resourceful to share and learn with and from one another along with our experienced trainers and mentors. Learn how to be a part of one of these powerful learning communities by joining us for an information session.

Micro-enterprise development works because it reduces reliance on public assistance, creates jobs, and raises the income, job skills, and assets of people who have historically been economically marginalized. The best national research shows that:

  • Limited-income micro-entrepreneurs reduced their reliance on government assistance by 61% with the greatest reduction in the amount of cash benefits received. Average benefits declined by $1,679.

  • 72% of limited-income micro-entrepreneurs experienced gains in household income over five years. The average change in household income was $8,485, rising from $13,889 to $22,374 over five years.

  • 53% of limited-income micro-entrepreneurs had large enough household gains to move out of poverty. The microenterprise business was a major source of earnings for households moving out of poverty.

  • Average household assets of limited-income micro-entrepreneurs grew by $15,909 over five years.

  • 49% of micro-enterprises owned by limited-income entrepreneurs survived after five years – a rate comparable to the national average.

  • On average, micro-enterprises create 1.5 full and part-time jobs per business.

  • Micro-enterprises also generate a wide range of social and economic benefits such as life-long skills development, further education and training, improvement in self-esteem and family relationships.

~ The Aspen Institute

For more research on Micro-enterprises by the Aspen Institute, visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/topics/microenterprise/