A 13-week English training course and 8-week Spanish course teaches the basics in setting up and running a small business. Volunteers teach the training course. Their real-world experience give a very practical slant to the business skills they teach.

During the course, participants complete a business plan which serves as a blueprint for their business. Sessions cover a wide range of topics including legal aspects, marketing, hiring employees, cash flow projections, record-keeping and financing. The complete business plan is a tool in applying to lenders for financing, if needed.

Graduates are matched with volunteer mentors who provide encouragement and counsel as their business grows. During monthly contacts over a six-month period, mentors help graduates learn the practical realities of the business world and ways to solve problems.

ASSETS staff provides technical assistance to ASSETS participants during and after the course.

ASSETS Montco (A Service for Self-Employment Training and Support) offers opportunity to business and professional persons from the community to serve as instructors, mentors and board members.