Every time we start an entrepreneurship program, we welcome a new group of individuals that come with important new challenges for themselves, and we love that! They walk through our doors intrigued and expectant, and more often than not, focusing mostly on the sense of possibility and opportunity costs they now face.
What they fail to notice right away is that their challenges and aspirations become also our own. That we are also intrigued and expectant about what we will accomplish together. And that we too are ready to roll-up our sleeves to take their projects to completion.
And so, with that true sense of partnership, we welcome the 2016 class of Centro's Entrepreneurship Readiness Program. We applaud their creativity, courage and commitment to launching and growing their organizations, and are humbled to work with them and their MBA Advisors side-by-side for the next 14 weeks!
Adam Schwarcz | Oakland Service Course | Oakland, CA
A high-end bicycle shop focused on providing reliable services by qualified and educated mechanics, and catering to enthusiast clients who want their bike projects to be managed efficiently and with consistency.
Katheryn CraytonShay | Thirteen Thousand Hammocks | Oakland, CA
ThirteenThousandHammocks (TTH) will distribute hammocks, install them in workplaces and give a new meaning to ‘power naps.’
Lafreshia Brown | Ardor of Hope | San Leandro, CA
Ardor of Hope will be a transitional housing non-profit program for those leaving prison with a history of substance abuse.
Lee Davidson | Made2Gather | Oakland, CA
Offering cooking classes to businesses to promote team building and encourage individuals to cook more on their own.
Mario Ponce | FunkRock | Oakland, CA
Dance and DJ/Music lessons.
Nafy Flatley | Teranga | San Francisco, CA
A beverage company that uses the baobab fruit for juice blends, popsicles and shots, and pairs it with other exotic ingredients from Africa and around the world to deliver good, refreshing and enjoyable drinks.
Thressa Pine-Smith | NSFW Shoes | Oakland, CA
NSFW will be an e-commerce business that recreates the staple nude shoe for women of color and include extended sizes.
Manahari Panditharatne | Kalmunai Collective | Sri Lanka
Manahari is Centro's current fellow, and besides working with us, she is taking part of the Entrepreneurship Readiness Program to create a non-profit organization that can teach business skills to women in Sri Lanka looking to export their crafts to the world.
Do you have a small business and need help?
Centro's advanced entrepreneurship program was created for those who have completed a basic entrepreneurship program or similar training, have a portfolio of products or services but still need help developing a business model they can act upon.
We have rolling admissions, so you can apply online anytime and we'll process your application for the next available intake.