Michigan Women Forward launches Small Business Technical Assistance Program

Michigan Women Forward launches Small Business Technical Assistance Program
Ana Jose. <strong> Courtesy Michigan Women Forward </strong>

West Michigan entrepreneurs can receive training, one-on-one financial consulting and bookkeeping services through Michigan Women Forward’s new technical assistance program.

Michigan Women Forward (MWF), which has offices in Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids, said Friday, Jan. 21, it is launching the Small Business Technical Assistance Program for West Michigan entrepreneurs with a $120,000 philanthropic investment from JPMorgan Chase. The program will provide 48 entrepreneurs with 12 months of technical assistance focused on the fiscal health of their businesses.

The classroom-model program will offer a four-week training to each entrepreneur. Classes will be held virtually from 9-10:30 a.m. starting Monday, Feb. 7. During each session, participating entrepreneurs will receive simplified tools to understand business needs, develop fiscal management skills, and create an individualized road map to help solve current or projected financial problems.

“Michigan Women Forward is proud to continue supporting entrepreneurs, thanks to philanthropic support from JPMorgan Chase,” said Ana Jose, MWF business development director. “Not only does this program provide strategies to assist entrepreneurs in building their organization’s capacity to operate efficiently and profitably, it also gives them the opportunity to reach new heights within their industry.”

After completing the training, all entrepreneurs will meet with a bookkeeper and certified public accountant to start the three- to five-month process of organizing their finances.

“Access to capital, technical assistance and financial health support are just some of the fundamentals needed for entrepreneurs and small businesses of color to succeed,” said Steve Abbott, executive director of middle market banking at JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. “Through partnerships like this, entrepreneurs will gain access to the tools and resources needed to grow and scale their businesses, build wealth and create jobs in their communities.”

Registration for the program is open online until Monday, Jan. 31.