This will be the 25th class for new and growing entrepreneurs.
CareerSource Suncoast and the City of Sarasota are presenting the 25th Community Entrepreneur Opportunity (CEO) course beginning Tuesday, September 8. This free 10-week course will teach entrepreneurs how to create and launch a business. Classes will be held virtually every Tuesday from 6 – 7:30 p.m. and CareerSource Suncoast’s business accelerator, THRIVE, will be providing instruction and support for the class. Over the past 25 classes there have been 400 graduates of the program and several have gone on to open businesses here in our region.
“Throughout the years I’ve seen the CEO program create many opportunities for small business and entrepreneurship in the North Sarasota community and beyond,” says Ted Ehrlichman, President and CEO of CareerSource Suncoast. “This is a chance for entrepreneurs to gain the valuable knowledge they need to bring their business dreams to fruition. While it’s now completely virtual, the time spent networking over Zoom and building relationships with a group of peers is invaluable to someone starting a business on their own.”
The course focuses on the core basics for new and aspiring small business owners. Students will learn through a combination of live virtual sessions and an online self-paced platform about business planning including market strategies, competitive analysis, financials, and operations and management plans. Through a combination of online classroom training and mentoring, participants will have an opportunity to assess their business acumen and determine the strength of their business concept.
While the course content is available 24/7, students are required to participate in the weekly session in order to complete the 10-week course. It is free and open to the public, and sponsored by Wells Fargo bank.
For more information, including a course application, visit careersourcesuncoast.com/CEO or contact the City of Sarasota, Office of Economic Development – Newtown: (941) 263-6000 ext. 36284 or rowena.elliott@sarasotafl.gov
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About CareerSource Suncoast
CareerSource Suncoast is a non-profit dedicated to providing education and tools for employers and job-seekers. Our mission is to recruit, train and retain talent for employers on the Suncoast. An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.