Small Business Advisor Program
The volunteer Small Business Advisor Program is a 9-session training program for top-performing MBA students and graduates who are passionate about making a difference in the life of rising entrepreneurs.
Centro created this program as an essential component of its entrepreneur development model, which benefits greatly both entrepreneurs and advisors. Through this program, Small Business Advisors accrue hands-on business experience, develop their advising and coaching skills and truly learn what it takes to start and grow a business.
Structure & Methodology
Work with a small group of 6-10 entrepreneurs participating in Centro's Advanced Entrepreneurship Program and 3-5 Small Business Advisors.
Participate in 9 workshop sessions (3 hours each), advising and coaching entrepreneurs as they analyze their business, create improvement goals and develop action plans to achieve those goals.
2 to 4 hours of weekly support outside of workshops, helping entrepreneurs implement their action plans and improve their business.
Workshops are led by a facilitator trained to enrich in-class discussions, facilitate ideation, foster critical thinking and empower people to succeed.
Benefits
Gain hands-on experience advising and coaching real entrepreneurs, helping them make high-impact decisions and improve their businesses.
Collaborate and network with graduate business students, entrepreneurs and experienced professional advisors.
Learn how to start and grow a small business.
Contribute to the growth of real business enterprises in underserved communities.
Requirements
Current MBA student or graduate (or equivalent masters degree).
Completion of basic financial and managerial accounting courses.
2-4 years of work experience.
Experience developing business plans, financial forecasts, and/or marketing strategies.
Small business and/or project management experience is a plus.
Foreign language is a plus.
Able to attend weekly workshops and provide 5-7 hours of support per week for the duration of the 9-session program. (3 hours of workshops + 2 to 4 hours to support outside of workshops).
Educational partners
Upcoming Small Business Advisor Programs
Questions?
If you have any questions, please see our FAQs section or contact our Community Engagement area at help@centrocommunity.org.
MBA Advisor Program Alumni
Testimonials from Former Participants
“The biggest impact that being a part of Centro has had on me is taking what I am learning at school, and seeing it in action. ”
“Working with my entrepreneur at Centro has been an incredibly rewarding experience, giving me the opportunity to apply my business school education and experience in assisting someone achieve their dream.”
“Centro gave me a unique perspective into entrepreneurship that I could not receive in my MBA classes, and that was the fact that I was playing an integral part of someone’s actual dream and livelihood. ”
“My most special moment at Centro was watching the entrepreneurs make their final presentations. It was overwhelming to see their passion and dedication. It makes you feel proud to have been able to help out.”
“Volunteering with Centro has been an amazing and insightful adventure: the step-by-step process of helping my entrepreneur make her dream become a reality has given me valuable life experience.
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“I am very thankful that you guys are so calm and composed as you lead us to a higher understanding of not only our entrepreneur’s potential, but also our own. ”