About Us
Barclays & Launcher
Our History
Since 2016, Barclays has provided more than $1 million to support Launcher, which is an initiative of the West End Neighborhood House, a Delaware-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals achieve self-sufficiency and reach and maintain their maximum potential.
“The Launcher Entrepreneurship Program at West End Neighborhood House provides the critical support entrepreneurs need to pursue their dreams of becoming small business owners,” said Nancy Parnella, director of business cards, Barclays. “Barclays is proud to support our community and provide business owners of all sizes the resources they need to succeed.”
Accepting Applications Spring 2024
Spring 2024
Application Deadline: 11/27/23
Class Dates: 1/8/24 – 3/21/24
How does the program work?
Goal of Training:
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To develop a strong understanding of small business management
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To complete a solid business and financial plan
Type of Training:
- Classes, workshops and one-on-one sessions taught by experienced small business instructors
- Class size of 8-12 students ensures all participants receive personal attention
- Topics covered include operations management, marketing, financial management and more
- Course content and pace are customized to entrepreneurs’ needs
- Culturally sensitive entrepreneur training
Course Outline:
- Attributes of Success
- Planning for Business
- The Market- Customers and Competition
- Marketing and Branding
- Web-Based Marketing
- Credit and Financing
- Management and Operations
- Alumni Speaker/Competition Reporting
- Financial Planning: Part 1
- Financial Planning: Part 2
- Are You Ready?
- Graduation!
Training Schedule:
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Classes are held one evening per week for 2 hours.
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Locations are chosen geographically: Wilmington, Claymont and Dover.
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Training consists of eleven classroom sessions and ten hours of individual consultation.
Program Cost:
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Tuition for the LAUNCHER program is valued at $2,500. Thanks to the generous support of Barclays, we are able to waive tuition cost for students accepted into the LAUNCHER program. The only cost to you will be a materials fee of $100 dollars. Extra manuals for partnerships is $40.
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Fees must be paid before first class session.
Funding Partners
Community Partners
Sarah lester
Cornerstone West CDC is a community development corporation (under the West End umbrella) that promotes the revitalization of Wilmington’s West Side neighborhoods through building affordable housing and strengthening small businesses.
William Grimes
Our mission is to strengthen communities through housing, lending, and education—which means we have the people in place to guide you along your journey— and everyone’s path is different.
julie bieber
Kingswood Community Center is a prominent fixture in the Riverside/Northeast Wilmington community aimed to empower the community to reach its full potential through program offerings for the youngest to oldest residents in the Wilmington area.
Katie Lecocq
The Wilmington Kitchen Collective is a community-based project dedicated to serving food industry entrepreneurs from marginalized local communities. Our mission is to empower holistic transformation by providing affordable, high-quality commercial kitchen facilities in an effort to usher in human flourishing.
Mary Dupont
La Plaza Delaware is a nonprofit partnership created to increase opportunities, business savvy, and prosperity for Latino and minority-owned businesses.
Our Staff
Kristin Bowen
Director
302-658-4171 x131
kbowen@westendnh.org
Michelle Willows-Butrim
Program Manager
302-658-4171 x183
mbutrim@westendnh.org
Alma Brown
Office Assistant
302-658-4171 x193
abrown@westendnh.org
Kemarie Hendrix
Small Business Coordinator
302-658-4171 x106
khendrix@westendnh.org
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