Andre Norman (https://andrenorman.com) overcame poverty, gangs, and prison to become an international speaker and Harvard Fellow. It’s a truly inspirational story.
If you’re a Black or Latinx business owner, I hope you’ll take advantage of a unique entrepreneurial opportunity designed just for you. Entrepreneurs Access Network (EAN) is a business accelerator program and community providing Black and Latinx companies access to resources, connections, and capital to grow their business. As a member of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) Atlanta, I can tell you programs like this can truly make a difference in achieving your goals, and AVID Vines is thrilled to share the details of an initiative created to help others break barriers and celebrate the journey along the way with #NoRegrets.
Ernst & Young LLP (EY) launched EAN with the recognition that a lack of access to capital and connections hinders many Black and Latinx businesses from reaching their full potential.
Data shared by EY tells a clear story:
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40% of the US population is multicultural, but only 20% own businesses with employees.
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Among Latinx business owners, only 25% are fully funded compared to 50% for non-minority business owners.
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Black entrepreneurs are three times as likely as non-minorities to have profitability hurt by lack of access to capital.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made the situation worse. Before the pandemic, Latinx- and Black-owned businesses reported growth, but now, 48% of Latinx- and 44% of Black-owned businesses are not able to pay daily expenses compared to 26% of non-minority-owned businesses.
EAN is working to bridge the disparity gap with two parallel programs:
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Curated: Designed for emerging and established businesses operating for more than two years, 51% minority ownership, and a scalable enterprise.
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OnDemand: An online learning module open to entrepreneurs at all revenue, ownership, and operational levels.
Benefits of Networking with Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO) Atlanta! As a member of EO, Avid Vines President David Aferiat participated in a jet pack suit technology demonstration at the group’s 2018 Limitless Conference.
BENEFITS OF NETWORKING WITH ENTREPRENEURS’ ORGANIZATION (EO) ATLANTA! AS A MEMBER OF EO, AVID VINES OWNER DAVID AFERIAT PARTICIPATED IN A JET PACK SUIT TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION AT THE GROUP’S 2018 LIMITLESS CONFERENCE.
Participants will:
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Join a community of Black and Latinx high-growth company leaders.
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Experience a curriculum designed for today’s busy executive.
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Connect with a network of the nation’s best entrepreneurs.
Online applications are accepted through September 30, 2020.
If you’d like to talk about the experience of networking and learning with other entrepreneurs, I’d love to share my experience with EO Atlanta. In addition to gaining valuable insights that have helped me grow as a business owner and leader, I’ve developed two businesses, met inspiring and incredible people, and traveled internationally.
EAN also offers non-minority business owners a chance to get involved by sourcing candidates, sharing networks, contributing to the curriculum, and committing to access to all.
And don’t forget to celebrate the journey along the way with organic, sustainable champagne from Avid Vines!