Our Start My Business Program is your gateway to transforming your entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Whether you’re brainstorming your idea or ready to hit the ground running, we offer expert guidance and practical tools to help you establish a strong foundation. Learn how to create a solid business model and take the necessary steps to secure funding for your venture. From crafting a winning business plan to navigating the initial setup, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Take the first step towards success and join us to kickstart your business journey today!

 
 

Program Description

Join us for our 5-session program “Start My Business Program”!

This free online course teaches you how to structure your business for success, covering the basics. We help you create a value proposition, identify your customer type, create high-quality products or services, and examine revenue potential to ensure profitability.

Cost: Free

Why Free? We are excited to offer these courses to you for free, thanks to the generous support of our funders. In return, we kindly ask for your demographic information, which helps us report back to our sponsors about the amazing work being done in our community. By providing this information, you not only gain access to valuable training at no cost, but you also help us demonstrate the impact of these programs, encouraging our funders to invest more in initiatives that benefit you and others in your community. It's a win-win for everyone!

What We Teach

  • Understand the first steps to building a foundation as a new entrepreneur.

  • Create a sustainable business model that will serve to test your business idea.

  • A business facilitator will guide you through a critical thinking process and provide immediate feedback and coaching.

  • Collaboration with other business owners to expand your professional network.

Program Structure

  • 8 hours of in-person training on essential business skills.

  • 2-hour individual coaching session with one of our experienced business coaches.

  • Graduation ceremony and panel discussion with entrepreneurs (in-person only).

  • Learn how to build your business model.

Who Can Benefit?

The program is for entrepreneurs who want to understand the basics of starting a business and what it takes to become one.

 No business experience is required. It’s a fundamental level and a good start for new entrepreneurs.

  • Master the art of structuring a successful business

  • Craft a compelling value proposition

  • Identify and attract your ideal customers

  • Create high-quality products or services

  • Network and collaborate with fellow business owners to enhance your professional connections

Basic Requirements

  • You must be 18 years or older. If under 18, you can join the programs with an accompanying adult.

  • Demonstrate a genuine commitment to starting or growing a business

  • Seek profit and provide social benefit to your community. The program is open to everyone, regardless of education level or experience.

Learn how to start your own business. The program is intended for everyone, regardless of their level of education or experience.

Come Join Us! We believe in your dreams!

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MEET YOUR TRAINERS

Arturo Noriega ARTURO A. NORIEGA

Arturo is an accomplished author and social impact leader with over 30 years of experience as a nonprofit executive and management consultant. He authored In Pursuit of a Noble Cause: A Social Justice Leadership Journey, offering valuable insights into community-based innovation, racial equity, and social justice within nonprofit development. Arturo specializes in economic development, strategy, risk management, finance, and organizational change management. In 2023, he served as a visiting social entrepreneur at Stanford University's Center for Social Innovation. His academic credentials include a Leadership Certificate from Stanford School of Business, an MBA in Strategic Management and Leadership from the Peter F. Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University, and a BA in Economics with a concentration in Finance from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.

Carlo Arellano CARLO ARELLANO

Carlo leads our Spanish Basic Entrepreneurship Program in Oakland, bringing a wealth of experience in helping small and medium-sized businesses thrive. Previously, he spent three years in Mexico City collaborating with the Secretaría del Trabajo y Fomento al Empleo to boost business productivity and competitiveness. Coming from an entrepreneurial family himself, Carlo’s personal journey inspired his passion for this field. He holds a degree in Economics and a Postgraduate in Globalization and International Economy from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).

Lupita Nicole LUPITA NICOLE

Lupita is the instructor for our Spanish Entrepreneurship program and is based in Stockton, California. As the owner of All Business Consulting LLC, she brings extensive experience in guiding businesses toward positive transformations and achieving their goals. Her expertise includes business and personal tax preparation, and she has a strong track record of working with local community leaders to foster the growth of small businesses. With a background spanning multiple industries, Lupita is well-equipped to assist a diverse range of entrepreneurs. Her deep engagement with the community has given her valuable insights into the challenges faced by small business owners. Lupita is passionate about applying her experience and knowledge to the field of training, with the goal of making a significant impact in the world of entrepreneurship.

Uvania Saravia OSCAR VASQUEZ

Oscar serves as an Entrepreneur Coach for the Center in Oakland and Miami, USA. With ten years of experience, he has dedicated himself to helping entrepreneurs create successful ideas, design winning business models, drive the growth of their businesses in an organized and solid way, and even guide them to expand nationally and internationally in Latin America, Spain, and the United States. He holds a degree in Electronic Engineering and a Master's degree in Startup Management from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the University of California, Berkeley. Oscar's dedication has earned him prestigious awards, including the National Entrepreneurship Award, and recognition from organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS) and UBI Global.

Uvania Saravia UVANIA SARAVIA

Uvania, a Nicaraguan, is an instructor in the Community Success department, serving as the primary guide for entrepreneurs at Centro Community Partners. With a background as a former entrepreneur, she understands the challenges and triumphs of the entrepreneurial journey. Uvania is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs in achieving their business and personal development goals. Her passion for fostering community growth and learning drives her commitment to helping businesses thrive.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

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We provide entrepreneurship training programs, business coaching, and assistance accessing capital.

We cover basic business strategy topics, including vision, mission and values, market analysis, products and services, operations, and revenue generation. We cover how to access other business resources and capital to start and grow your business.

Our program is five (5) weeks for two hours each for a total of 10 hours.

We offer both in-person and online programs. Please visit our homepage to find out more about the options available.

We offer programs in California, including Inland Empire, Oakland, Hayward, San Jose, and Stockton. We also offer programs in New York City | Brooklyn | Queens, New York and Miami, Florida.

We offer online programs, and you are welcome to join us. Please visit our homepage to learn more about the options available.

Learn more about our programs on our website. If you have additional questions, please contact Lesly Arellano at lesly@centrcommunity.org or Luisa Chinchilla at Luisa@centrocommunity.org for orientation.

All our programs and support services are free!

To provide free programs, we need to report information to our funders. All data is reported anonymously and in aggregate, so no personal information about individual entrepreneurs or their businesses is shared. We protect your privacy.

We generally require that entrepreneurs miss no more than one session to graduate from our programs. Exceptions may be made for extraordinary circumstances, in which case you would need to schedule additional 1-on-1 sessions to make up for missed workshops. If you can’t meet our attendance requirements, please let us know, and we will try to find a suitable way to offer support.

Yes, the minimum age is 18. If you are under 18, you can join the programs with the accompaniment of an adult.

Yes, we support all people, especially small business aspirants or owners, regardless of their immigration status.

Yes, you can. You can also reach out to Lesly Arellano at lesly@centrcommunity.org or Luisa Chinchilla at Luisa@centrocommunity.org for assistance in determining whether to take the program again or explore other programs/resources that may better suit your needs.


Questions?

Learn more about us and our programs by calling (510) 250-3233 or email us at help@centrocommunity.org.


Testimonials from Former Participants

“In the Centro Basic Business Program I learned more deeply about myself and what I actually want to do with my business. I learned how to price my services in a way that reflected my value and loved the diversity of thought from my fellow entrepreneurs in the program.”
— Jorge Castro from Compliance Network - a company creating technical solutions for hospitals to be safety compliant. Age 23.
“Before I came to Centro Community Partners, a friend of mine sent me a 30 page document on how to create a business plan. I was so overwhelmed. When Centro gave me a call, I was elated to receive help. I love that the Centro Program broke down how to write a business plan step by step with direct one on one support from an experienced business owner and trainer. The Centro Program has provided me with the confidence I need to move forward in executing my dream of opening a salon in Oakland.”
— Kellie King Beauty Salon - a natural multicultural hair salon in Oakland. Age 51.
“Everyday after class, I felt like I could start a business right then and there no matter who I was or what my background was. I felt like my business idea was possible and that Centro would be there to help each step of the way.”
— Marcel Haynes from True Believer Bar - a comic book bar. Age 38.
“The Centro Community Partners Basic Entrepreneurship Program was awesome. I now have a toolkit on how to start my business - to think about where I am going with my business, how I can actually get funded, and how I can think about capital no longer in a stressful way, but in an abundant way.”
— Binta Ayofemi from Black and Brown Market - a company repurposing empty lots in urban areas with markets for black and brown makers. Age 30.