State of Massachusetts Department
of Unemployment/Center for Women and Enterprise
(CWE)
Instructor for State of Massachusetts Entrepreneurial Training
Programs (ETP) in Norwood, Brockton and Plymouth Massachusetts. ETP
is a 20 week program consisting of 11 weeks of training and 9 weeks
of consulting. Entrepreneurship Advantage delivers the first 11
weeks of classroom training, six hours per day, and three days per
week to 20 students. The objective of the program is to develop a
comprehensive business plan including; concept statement, industry
and competitor analysis, competitive strategy, marketing strategy,
proforma financials, including cash flow, income statement and
beginning balance sheet, risk analysis and an implementation
strategy. Eleven weeks of in class training include one-on-one-
consulting and support for each entrepreneur.
"All participants are in a period of career transition which brings
its own set of challenges. Ms. Thornton presented a variety of seminars
to our business planning classes and also assisted with individual
counseling and consulting with program participants. In addition to her
experience as a business owner, she brought all of her skills as a
leader and coach to our classes and clients. She is a tireless
contributor who is always willing to "go the extra mile" and is often
able to suggest innovative approaches to problems." Peg Ryan, Director of Special Program Operations, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department
of Workforce Development, Division of Career Services
Pioneer Institute, Urban
Business Alliance
EA is engaged as a consultant to support Pioneer
Institute's Urban Business Alliance. This initiative
is a training and mentoring program providing community-based
business advisors (CBAs) with the knowledge and
practical experience required to work effectively
with small businesses in the community. EA developed
the framework and objectives of a mentoring relationship
so that Banks and CBAs begin to understand each
other roles and processes for supporting businesses
and to collaborate on developing streamlined procedures
to increase the viability and "bankability"
of community businesses.
"Elizabeth Thornton has been the creative spark
that has inspired a remarkable collaboration between
the Springfield community business advisors and
local bankers from West Bank, Hamden Bank, Citizens
Bank. We are impressed with what the mentoring program
is producing and its potential impact on the quality
of business assistance for low- and moderate-income
entrepreneurs."
Alla Yakovlev, Assistant Director, The Center for
Urban Entrepreneurship, Pioneer Institute.
This Neighborhood Means Business,
Codman Square CDC
EA supports the growth of entrepreneurship in communities
by serving as a guest speaker/lecturer for the CDC’s
Women Entrepreneurship Workshops. We provide two
hour workshops on entrepreneurship and business
planning to women seeking to start or grow businesses.
"Elizabeth, I just wanted to thank you again
for the great program that you presented last night.
Both Pierre & I were in awe of your presentation
skills. You really kept the group's attention and
managed to elicit a lot of feedback from them as
well." Jackie Clooney, This Neighborhood Means
Business
Catholic Charities, Boston
Massachusetts
We collaborate with Catholic Charities to empower
their home based child care providers with the entrepreneurship
skills and understanding to market and grow their
child care businesses. We provide a two hour business
concept workshop to help child care provider understand
their business value proposition and how to and
market themselves effectively.
