July 13, 2017 (Notre Dame, Ind.) — The Saint Mary’s College Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) is proud to announce the annual session of the SPARK entrepreneurship training program. SPARK is intended to assist local high-potential, under-resourced female entrepreneurs to “spark” or launch successful businesses.
Prescreening for the SPARK Program has begun and is ongoing through August 25.
SPARK is focused on helping women create a corporate identity and a draft of a business plan, implement marketing strategies, generate promotional materials, and learn skills in time management, bookkeeping and attaining a business loan, along with exploring other general success strategies. Since the first SPARK program began in 2011, more than 150 women have graduated, with over 50 having launched and sustained businesses. Those who participate are fondly called “SPARKlers.”
SPARKlers have launched a variety of businesses including photography, Weeping Willow Photography by Kayla Holdread, child care, Little House Montessori by Emily Sandock, restaurant guides, Gluten Free Dining for You by Marcie Gamble, and interactive drumming, Rhythm to You by Nicole Williams.
SPARK’s mission is to empower women to become business owners with a toolkit of experience and abilities. Established business owners in the region lead the SPARK classes and, as mentors, teach best practices to the budding entrepreneurs. The Entrepreneurship Alliance of Michiana (TEAM) a collaboration between the area’s three complementary small business support organizations that includes SPARK as well as the North Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC), and the Michiana chapter of SCORE the three work together to ensure that entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking guidance are connected with the best resource for their needs.
SPARK is an 11-week session that offers a morning or evening track. Classes are scheduled to meet from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting on Thursday, September 21 and ending on Thursday, December 7. Twenty-eight people will be selected for the program. The cost of the SPARK tuition is $250, plus $50 for curriculum costs.
Those interested in more information about being involved in SPARK as a participant, facilitator, mentor, or volunteer can email Joan McClendon, project director of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative at wei@saintmarys.edu or jmcclendon@saintmarys.edu. No calls please.
About Saint Mary's College: Celebrating over 175 years of empowering women to make a difference in the world, Saint Mary’s College is recognized as a pioneer and continued force in the education of women. A Catholic, liberal arts institution in Notre Dame, Indiana, the College offers more than 50 undergraduate academic programs and also offers co-educational master’s degrees.
