This past September, GROW Nebraska Women’s Business Center hosted the third cohort of the Business Plan: Snap & Boost. Snap & Boot is a 5-week training program that meets every Tuesday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm which aids entrepreneurs with the completion of their business plans, accesses and defines the business’s mission, vision and values and takes a deep dive into their budget and financials. This program was designed to take new businesses to the next level and was able to graduate 37 business owners this year.
Thanks to our partners at US Bank, Wells Fargo and the Omaha Community Foundation, the GNWBC was also able to present several matter experts and speakers to our participants. A special thank you to Mercedes Fonte of Thrivent, Leo Martinez with Nebraska Enterprise Fund and Brandi O’Malley and Scott Asmus with SourceLink and Theresa McClatchy with US Bank for presenting their knowledge of business development to our cohort participants.
Amanda Jones of Honey N Luv Bakery was one of many that were able to experience the Snap & Boost program. Amanda launched her bakery in 2020 so she could offer gluten-free baked goods to her community. Although she understands growth is a process, but feels she made some great connections. When asked what her favorite takeaway was from the Snap & Boost Amanda states, “Honestly, it’s been the connections in the community. Just realizing that there are so many of us on this journey and that even if we can’t collaborate now, we may be able to collaborate with each other at some future point. Also, that the difficulty of the entrepreneurial climb is not unique to me, it is something that 99% of entrepreneurs go through, whatever their industry is, especially if their business is product based.”
Along with the completion of their business plan, every graduating member of Snap & Boost received a stipend to assist them with business startup costs which is given in increments to foster relationships and trust. The Executive Director of GNWBC, Eden Butler states, “I really like building that individual relationship and finding out their needs when they come to pick up the installments. Businesses have used the stipends for things like baking goods to using the funds to create an LLC. Each business needs are a little different, but that money helps with whatever that need may be.”
GROW Nebraska Women’s Business Center will be launching its fourth cohort in January 2023. More information and program applications will be live on the GNWBC website in November.
Eden Butler goes on to say, “The business plan in a snap and boost is spot on with our mission. In 2022 the Snap and Boost program stats speak for itself 100% of participants were women, 97% were minority and 74% were low income. I love coming to work and everyday helping dreams come true of owning a business.”
Snap and Boost is the signature programing for the GNWBC due to the need. We wouldn’t be able to offer this very important training without our key partners, SBA, Sherwood Foundation, Omaha Community Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation and Nebraska Enterprise Fund. All our partners are so important in making the GNWBC and it’s services possible, please check out our partners on our website below!
About the GROW Nebraska® Women’s Business Center
The Grow Nebraska® Women’s Business Center’s mission since 2021 is to serve all Women, Cultures and Communities in achieving their Educational, Professional and Entrepreneurial goals. We believe in the potential of Women, Minorities, Immigrants and Families and choose to Educate, Train and help them obtain successful business ownership and employment.