SBA emerging leaders initiative returns to Seattle

February 8, 2018 10:30 am
SBA emerging leaders initiative returns to Seattle

For the eighth year in a row, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Seattle District Office is offering the Emerging Leaders training initiative for local small businesses on the brink of growth in Washington state.

The SBA Emerging Leaders initiative provides free entrepreneurship education and training for executives of small, poised-for-growth companies that are potential job creators.

This intensive executive entrepreneurship series includes nearly 100 hours of classroom time. It also provides opportunities for small business owners to work with experienced coaches and mentors, attend workshops and develop connections with their peers, local leaders and the financial community.

“SBA Emerging Leaders has a proven track record of helping small businesses in Washington,” SBA Seattle District Director Kerrie Hurd said. “By working on their business instead of in their business, graduates of the program have increased their revenue, created jobs and helped drive local economic growth in their communities.”

Since its inception in 2008, the SBA Emerging Leaders Initiative has trained more 5,000 small business owners across the country.

SBA Emerging Leaders graduates have created more than 6,500 jobs, generated more than $300 million in new financing and secured more than $3.16 billion in government contracts.

“For every $200 the SBA invests in the Emerging Leaders program, a new job is created,” SBA Regional Administrator Jeremy Field said. “That’s a substantial return on investment for small business owners ready to grow and actively contribute to our economy and communities.”

The SBA Emerging Leaders Initiative has grown to be offered in 60 cities across the U.S. during 2018.

Basic eligibility requirements to participate in the SBA Emerging Leaders Initiative include the following:

  • Be a small business owner or head decision-maker
  • Have business annual revenues between $400,000 and $10 million
  • Have been in business for at least three years
  • Have at least one employee, other than self
  • Make the time commitment required of the course
  • Demonstrate the business is on the brink of growth or transition

The SBA Emerging Leaders Initiative is free to small business owners, but space is limited. There are 20 available seats for the 2018 program in Seattle.

The SBA Seattle District Office is now accepting online applications at www.sba.gov/EmergingLeaders through March 1. The program will run from April to October 2018.

Past Emerging Leaders graduates from the Seattle area have come from industries such as catering, building and property services, general contracting and health services.

“The Emerging Leaders class has given me the tools, confidence and network to grow my business,” Madres Kitchen Co-Owner Heather Chitty said. “The class was a mini-MBA program on my business.”

For more information about the SBA Emerging Leaders Initiative, visit www.sba.gov/EmergingLeaders or contact Lisa White at lisa.white@sba.gov or 206-553-7050.

The SBA Seattle District Office will host two webinar info sessions about the SBA Emerging Leaders application process and program on Feb. 9 and Feb. 13. Registration and login information for the webinars can be found at tinyurl.com/SeattleSBA.