BEANE Program: Support to Entrepreneurs

The Jericho Road Project's Business Experts Advising New Entrepreneurs, or BEANE, program helps entrepreneurs launch and sustain small businesses in Lowell. Jericho Road provides support largely through its partnership with the Lowell Small Business Assistance Center, or LSBAC, which assists low-income entrepreneurs and others with starting and growing successful businesses. Jericho Road volunteers provide teaching, counseling, and mentoring support.

Teachers: Jericho Road provides teachers for the Center's RightStart curriculum, which includes classes such as introduction to business, marketing, sales, bookkeeping/taxes, and finance. By collaborating with Jericho Road, the Center has increased its teaching staff tenfold and, through the experience of the volunteers, is able to provide a world of diverse and practical business know-how.

Counselors: Jericho Road also provides the LSBAC with business counselors, giving it the ability to offer evening counseling services to accommodate clients who have jobs or responsibilities during the daytime.

Mentors: After starting a business, many small-business owners find themselves in need of support and guidance. During this critical period, Jericho Road volunteers are available to provide longer-term, one-on-one mentoring to new entrepreneurs.