TEN MORE ENTREPRENEURS EQUIPPED FOR BUSINESS
by Sheldon Good
sheldoncg@goshen.edu

NORRISTOWN, Pa. — Mobile oil change entrepreneur Michael Butler has always wanted to be in your phone book. "I have always dreamed of being an entry in the Yellow Pages," Butler said. "It has been my dream to own my own business." Butler is now equipped to pursue his dream.

Butler, along with nine other local entrepreneurs, recently graduated from the Business Design and Management Course offered by ASSETS Montco, a local service for self-employment training and support. "The wide variety of business concepts this group exerted is a testament to their creativity and ambition to take advantage of the wide world of business," said Jim Williams, ASSETS Montco's executive director. This was the 35th group to graduate from the 13-week training course.

Amidst our weakening economy and looming concerns about a recession, these ten entrepreneurs have taken business into their own hands. Their small business concepts, which will serve the greater Norristown area include janitorial services, jewelry store, mobile oil change service, biodiesel sales, cosmetic distribution, personal digital photography, chocolate studio and personalized greeting cards.

Jacueline M. Green, executive director of Philadelphia Parent Child Center, offered the keynote address at their recent graduation ceremony. She reminded the graduates to always serve their customers, not themselves. "Your number one desire should be to provide a service for the community," Green said. "Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. If you stick with it, things will happen."

The training course is uniquely designed to serve students by providing practical wisdom from established local businesspersons rather than traditional textbook knowledge. Some students enter the class, however, with some wisdom and experience of their own. Linda Flowers, who received the award for perfect attendance, is currently a personal distributor for cosmetic manufacturer Avon Products, Inc. "I delayed my MBA to do this program," Flowers said. "Each class showed me something I am not doing with Avon, which I can now incorporate with my HerbaLife line." Flowers plans to diversify her business by offering Herbal Life's highly regarded weight-loss and nutrition products.

While the 13-week course may be complete, Williams reminded the graduates to consider how they'll put into practice their newfound wisdom. "Its not just the education but the application of the education that counts."

Registration is currently open for the 36th cycle of the course, which starts September 4. For more information, contact us via email at biztraining4u@assetsmontco.org or call 610-275-3520.

JOB OPPORTUNITY WITH ASSETS MONTCO

Administrative Coordinator

Organization’s Core Purpose
Microenterprise training for low-income or disadvantaged persons

Job Purpose:  In support of the core program, the ASSETS Español program and the Youth Enterprise program, the Administrative Coordinator is responsible for producing financial reports, funding proposals, marketing implementation, graduation exercise coordination, participant tracking, and newsletters. The Administrative Coordinator reports directly to the Executive Director.

Responsibilities:

1. Manage telephone calls and office email accounts
2. Support the implementation of a marketing plan
3. Implement a funding plan including sourcing of potential funders, oversight of all fundraisers, and funder appreciation activities
4. Research and submit all grant proposals in conjunction with Director of Advancement
5. Coordinate needed volunteer activities, including recruiting and training
6. Maintain positive relationships with all organizational partners
7. Support all Public Relations and Advertising functions for the organization
8. Coordinate all Graduation activities
9. Coordinate all clerical financial activities such as deposit preparations, bill payments, bank statement reconciliation and financial reports preparation
10. Maintain filing systems, prepare student workbooks, support clientele, registration and tracking needs through use of specialized software
11. Attend Board and staff meetings, prepare needed reports and take/distribute minutes
12. Supervise intern staff as needed
13. Host English classes in the absence of Executive Director and Director of Advancement
14. Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of experience minimum, 3-5 years of experience preferred or minimum of an Associates Degree from an accredited university in business related field
• Proficiency in QuickBooks and MS Office
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Willingness to travel to local meetings and trainings
• 1-3 years grant writing and fundraising experience a plus
• 1-3 years high-level administrative experience a plus
• Non-profit and/or microenterprise experience a plus
• Bilingual in English & Spanish a plus
• Live in or near Norristown, PA

ASSETS Montco is an EEO/AA employer