Applications for our Fall 2024 cohort are currently closed!
What is the Entrepreneurship Assistance Center?
The Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC) is a one-stop, full-service center serving the New York City area entrepreneurs since 1992 through its rigorous training and project-based coaching. A signature program of the QEDC, our mission is to give entrepreneurs the resources and tools they need to benefit from running their own successful small business. To date, we have assisted over 700 individuals in creating over 100 businesses and 350 jobs, as well as obtaining over $3.8 million in financing and achieving $6.8 million in sales. If you are a new or established entrepreneur looking to have the same impact for your business, read on!
BUSINESS TRAINING COURSE
Each fall, the Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC) offers its comprehensive, 60-hour, hands-on business training course for new and existing business owners. This 10-week intensive is specifically designed to minimize the risk and maximize the potential success of starting or expanding a business.
You will learn by completing tasks during the class sessions and developing on those assignments – whether the assignment is to create financial statements, create a webpage or sell an MVP (minimal viable product).
The course is divided into two parts. The first half focuses on understanding the framework for taking a business idea, product or service and testing it to see if there is a product market fit. Does this product have enough market potential? How can you find out? You will test ideas in real time to test its feasibility and learn to pivot if needed until you find the correct fit for your product.
The second half focuses on more specific business building skill sets and knowledge such as conducting market research, creating financial projections and budgets, and learning about the different legal structures, intellectual property options and contracts for your business.
By taking this course, you will learn to do the following:
BUSINESS SKILLS
- Go through a fixed framework to determine if a new product or idea will be feasible.
- Learn how to talk to potential customers and go through the customer discovery process
- Create a minimal viable product (MVP) and test it on your target market
- Start selling your product
- Analyze and create financial statements and projections
- Access legal, accounting, technology, and licensing resources provided by our professional network
- Complete a professional business plan to be used for funding and planning purposes
- Become part of a network of EAC alumni – a support system for business development
- Receive ongoing personalized, one-on-one coaching and consulting as you continue working on your business
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
- Zoom video conferencing
- Google Drive
- Project management
- Digital marketing
- Data analysis
- Landing page
- Ad management
Class Duration: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 to Thursday, December 19, 2024. Each class is 6-9pm EST online. See the complete list of dates below.
2024 Schedule of Classes
| Class Number | Date |
| 1 | Tuesday, October 8, 2024 |
| 2 | Thursday, October 10, 2024 |
| 3 | Tuesday, October 15, 2024 |
| 4 | Thursday, October 17, 2024 |
| 5 | Tuesday, October 22, 2024 |
| 6 | Thursday, October 24, 2024 |
| 7 | Tuesday, October 29, 2024 |
| 8 | Thursday, October 31, 2024 |
| 9 | Thursday, November 7, 2024 |
| 10 | Tuesday, November 12, 2024 |
| 11 | Thursday, November 14, 2024 |
| 12 | Tuesday, November 19, 2024 |
| 13 | Thursday, November 21, 2024 |
| 14 | Tuesday, November 26, 2024 |
| 15 | Tuesday, December 3, 2024 |
| 16 | Thursday, December 5, 2024 |
| 17 | Tuesday, December 10, 2024 |
| 18 | Thursday, December 12, 2024 |
| 19 | Tuesday, December 17, 2024 |
| 20 | Thursday, December 19, 2024 |
| Rain date | Friday, December 20, 2024 |
Location
Virtual, conducted via Zoom
Links will be sent right before class starts
Instructor
Malla Haridat is an entrepreneurship coach/strategist and founder of Mom and Daughters Inc., and a trainer for youth business-builder programs. As the founder and CEO of New Designs for Life, Malla is a nationally recognized expert in the specialized field of entrepreneurship education and has trained over 5,000 students.
She has traveled extensively throughout the United States working in partnership with companies developing creative solutions for entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. Her company was awarded the 2005 New York City Small Business Award of theYear and has been featured in media like The New York Times, ABC, Fox 5 Good Day Street Talk and Huffington Post.
This is her third year teaching the EAC business training course. You can check her out on https://mallaharidat.com/
Cost
The class is usually $500, but this year, thanks to additional funding, this year the class will require a refundable deposit of $150. As long as you complete the following, you will be receive the $150 back with your graduation certificate:
- You complete all mandatory work assignments
- You submit a business plan and pitch deck with presentation at the end
- You attend 80% or 16/20 classes) live. Watching recordings will not count
Application Process
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- Fill out the application. (This should take approximately 25 minutes)
- Wait for someone to schedule a phone interview with you.
- Ace the interview! Don’t worry, this is not something to fret. We want to get to know you a bit better and make sure that we are the right fit for each other.
- Pay the fee. A payment link will be sent to you. Payment must be received by Friday, September 23, 2023 If you cannot make the payment on time, please email Bpunjwani@queensny.org for financing options.
- Read your emails. Make sure you are receiving emails from us because we will be sending information on next steps and logistics.
- Come to class – virtually, of course! Make sure you are hydrated and that you are able to spend the next three hours distraction-free and focused on crushing your business goals.
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FAQ’s
Q. What does “business training” mean?
Please don’t confuse “business training” with a lecture-based course. Although this class is online, we call it “training” because you’ll develop an entrepreneurial mindset and learn how to think on your feet through assignments.
Q. Is this 60-hour class theoretical?
No. It’s applied and highly interactive. You can expect to be pushed out of your comfort zone and do actual assignments such as customer interviews and website building.
Q. What will I learn during class?
Here’s a list of a few skills you’ll obtain.
- Learn how to talk to potential customers and go through the customer-discovery process;
- Create a minimal viable product (MVP) and test it on a target market;
- Validate a business model that’s ready to be scaled;
- Start selling your product;
- Complete a professional business plan to be used for funding and planning purposes;
- Access legal, accounting, technology, and licensing resources provided by QEDC’s professional network; and
- Analyze and create financial statements and projections.
Q. Will the class cover my industry?
Yes, you’ll focus on your industry and business, and as results and goals change, you’ll learn to adapt and pivot. All students will meet with business coaches (online, of course) to assess their situations and tailor plans that work for them.
Q. Does the class focus on any specific industry?
No, but QEDC’s business coaches have resources in a variety of industries to share when you make an appointment.
Q. How much does the class cost?
The class this year will require a $150 refundable deposit. As long as you are able to complete the course requirements (complete all work assignments, submit a business plan and pitch deck with presentation, and attend 80% or 16/20 classes) you will receive the $150 back along with a graduation certificate. If you are interested in learning about payment plan options, email Bhavna at bpunjwani@queensny.org.
Q. Is the class online?
Yes, the class is 100 percent online, using Zoom as the primary platform.
Q. Can we view the syllabus?
Yes, you can take a look at the syllabus by emailing bpunjwani@queensny.org and requesting a copy.
Q. How do we register for the class?
You must fill out an application. It’ll be reviewed and you’ll receive an email to schedule a 20-minute interview. Once accepted into the program, you’ll receive a link to pay and claim your seat accordingly.
Thank you for your interest.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:
TRAINING
Take our business planning and training course, a comprehensive, 60-hour business training course to help you launch your business in 3 months. Sign up today!
COUNSELING
Have a free, one-on-one consultation with a business advisor who can help you create a business plan and strategy, discuss marketing, financing, operations, legal issues, and also register your business. Click here to make an appointment.
VETERAN ASSISTANCE
Get the help you need to navigate and apply for veteran resources offered by NYC and NYS- to start your business. Click here to make an appointment with an advisor or call the office at 718-263-0546 to learn more.
FINANCING
Obtain the financing you need for your business by speaking with one of our advisors who can help you find the resources. Click here to make an appointment.
BUSINESS MENTOR NY
Sign up for our virtual mentorship program to access a wealth of information and build relationships with key experts without leaving your home. Click here to make an appointment with an advisor who can help you create a profile.
MWBE CERTIFICATION
Get assistance in submitting the NYS Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) application and become certified and eligible for designated contracts with NYS agencies. Click here to learn more.
The EAC is a QEDC Program funded by Empire State Development Corporation
*Please note that class participation is a competitive process and registration will be official once formally invited to the 2024-2025 class and payment has been received by QEDC.
