Congratulations to the Emerging 200 Initiative Graduates Continued….

  

Emerging 200 Graduation Ceremony                                Emerging 200 Class Members

 

The Emerging 200 (e200) training ran from June through December and participants met every other week for three hours. In addition this 80 hour time commitment – there was work to be assigned and completed. Each of the CEOs and small business owners produced a three-year strategic growth plan with benchmarks and performance targets for their individual business. The participants were trained further to target their business strategies to accelerate growth, explore financing, diversify markets and expand their networking. The educational program focused on topics such as organizational management, financial management, growth strategies, market development, and strategic planning. Participation in e200 was free to qualifying businesses and it was expected to be especially beneficial to firms that have been in business for a minimum of three years, have $400,000 or more in gross annual revenues, and are located with the geographic boundaries identified. Participation was limited to only 200 businesses nationwide.

 

The selection of Albuquerque as an e200 city was a prestigious one. There were 23 cities nationwide that applied to take part in this initiative. Along with Albuquerque, the other e200 cities were Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Des Moines, Memphis, Milwaukee, New Orleans, and Philadelphia.

 

Yashoda Naidoo, President & CEO of Annapurna’s Vegetarian Cafe noted that “I learned how to prepare a presentation to a bank; microlender; finance company, etc. on how to obtain finance for a small business. Having the panels at the classes gave valuable information to me on what these lenders look for in a package/loan request.” 

 

Other sponsors included: City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department, ACCION New Mexico, Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, Albuquerque Small Business Development Center at CNM, Albuquerque SCORE Chapter 67, American Indian Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Women Business Owners – Northern New Mexico Chapter, New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services, New Mexico 8(a) and Minority Business Association, New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership, South Valley Small Business Development Center, the Loan Fund, and WESST Corp.