THE SHOALS – The Shoals Chamber of Commerce will offer its second cohort of CO.STARTERS, a nationally renowned platform that helps communities grow local business on Tuesday, September 20, 2016.
The first cohort, led by Party Pros USA Owner Jackie Hendrix, graduated in August after pitching their business ideas to family, friends, and other Shoals Chamber members. The second cohort will be led through a partnership of University of North Alabama College of Business staff, including: Management & Marketing Professor Dr. Santanu Borah, Executive in-Residence Janyce Fadden, and Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Mitch Hamm.
The Shoals Chamber launched this nine-week program in June to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn business ideas into action. Unlike traditional platforms, CO.STARTERS applies the lean business modeling methods popular among high-growth startups to businesses of all kinds. “We are already seeing successes out of our first class,” said Caitlin Holland. “CO.STARTERS is an excellent course for anyone with entrepreneurial ambitions.”
CO.STARTERS came out of The Company Lab, a Chattanooga, Tennessee organization that offers programs and events to support local startups and innovators, acting as a catalyst for a healthy entrepreneurial community. The CO.STARTERS program has been adopted by more than a dozen entrepreneurial organizations in cities around the country, including: Phoenix; Cincinnati; Nashville, Tenn.; Lakeland, Fla.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; and Chattanooga.
The cost is $400.00 per participant and includes a one-year Chamber membership. To join CO.STARTERS in the Shoals, contact Caitlin Holland at (256) 764-4661 or cholland@shoalschamber.com.
