The concept of “Hood to CEO” is to teach young kids and young entrepreneurs growing up in poverty, being exposed to certain lifestyles and situations are not a disadvantage but a benefit. In recent conversations at Ivy League institutions, they have spoken about how corporate structure, product distribution, sales ability, charisma, and the value of loyalty are required curriculum in their MBA/graduate programs. In turn people from disadvantaged neighborhoods learn these key business essentials as a way of life and if the youth from these neighborhoods were guided away from a life of crime to a life of entrepreneurism, they would have an education equal in value to any Ivy League graduate.
Our goal is a two-part system:
1.) A business resource center to help with the start up cost of starting and running a small business. This would house some of the essential start up requirements as mailboxes with a street address, computers, copiers, etc.
2.) A mentorship program pairing small startup business owners with a prime contractor who can help guide them through the startup process. For Example: Registering with Sunbiz, how to acquire a business license, insurance needs and procedure, SBE requirements and help through the approval process.
Copyright: Jamas Ward