Starting Your Own Business
Key Components of getting off to a great start
We're Hitting the Reset Button
The Generator is relaunching our signature Gentrepreneurship Program to be more efficient, effective, and empowering. We want to give you the exact tools needed to take you from ideation to operation and profit. Inside of our new Entrepreneur Starter kit we have included some of the best-known resources to help you get your business off to a great start.
Your year At A Glance
Each month, as part of our relaunch, the Gentrepreneurship Program will focus on a different aspect of developing and thriving businesses. This will include at least one monthly workshop with industry experts and monthly mini-pitch competitions that will culminate with our end-of-the-year $5000 pitch competition.
Things we’ll cover:
- Ideation - From just an idea to the right idea
- How to prepare a business plan
- Forming an LLC, business account and securing an EIN Number
- Marketing and Branding
- How to fund your business
- Payment systems
- Storytelling - How to pitch your business
- ... and much more!
Entrepreneur Starter Kit Resources
- Generator Business Checklist
- Business Plan Template
- QR Code Generator (links to a website or business card)
- HiHello digital business card creator (available on the app store)
- Form an LLC
- Secure an EIN
- Create A Canva Account!
- ... and much more!
Pine Bluff Generator - Business Programs & Services Offered:
I. Business Development/Support
A. The Generator – GENERATE IDEAS! (Entrepreneur Ideation Workshop)
Designed to work with individuals and groups to generate business ideas that can be filtered to highlight the most practical, and innovative ones to inspire new and better business plans, solutions, and products.
B. Gentrepreneurship Program – Business Startup & Development Classes
Business training workshops to help potential and existing businesses set up and operate successfully. We help entrepreneurs and businesses through 1-on-1 consultations and group workshops with guidance to identify specific entrepreneur action plans that include – Entrepreneur & Business Assessment, Initial Plan Development, strategizing the “next step” for your idea or business.
C. Business Incubator
We assist approved new and existing businesses with the facilities, equipment, capital, and technical assistance to develop and grow their business. To be eligible, applicants must be (1) headquartered in Pine Bluff or within a 50-mile radius; (2) have a GFPB/Generator approved, scalable, for-profit business model; and *(3) have a viable business plan that fits within the framework of an existing or potential Generator Business Model.
D. Collaborations & Partnerships
We work with various organizations to make sure your business is successful .
ASBTDC – Angelise Henry (Business Planning & Development)
CU – Communities Unlimited (Business Management Consulting & Loans)
UAPB – Young Entrepreneur Development/Support
SEARK – Young Entrepreneur Development/Support
Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce
PB Promise
E. Business Pitch Competitions
Generator-sponsored pitch competitions allow entrepreneurs the opportunity to gain valuable exposure and feedback on a business idea. More importantly, it provides a great opportunity to network, validate a business idea, and compete to win a cash prize.
Business-specific pitch competitions will be used to assist in choosing entrepreneurs for the incubator program that utilizes the 6th and main street projects to accelerate business growth.