A nonprofit is working to have more start-up businesses establish themselves in west Mesa, and it's starting a free 10-week program on Thursday to assist entrepreneurs.
The West Mesa Community Development Corporation is targeting businesses in technology, health care, retail and manufacturing in the city west of Gilbert Road, which includes downtown. Existing businesses or people looking to start one can enter the program, which consists of free courses.
The effort is part of a larger economic development for west Mesa, said Cynthia Dunham, the CDC's executive director.
"One of the things that I find from those classes is the effectiveness of networking, beginning that network so you can stabilize your business or help launch your business," Dunham said.
Stealthmode Partners, which consults start-ups, will lead the courses. Stealthmode's Francine Hardaway has consulted hundreds of start-ups and has run similar programs across the Valley. She said the new economy is making small businesses more important for the community - and as a way for unemployed people to survive in a time of high unemployment.
"There are not jobs in this century like there were jobs in the last century, and people need to know entrepreneurial skills," she said. "We help their entrepreneurships grow and help them build an entrepreneurial infrastructure. The major goal is to make the entire Valley more entrepreneurial."
The courses will cover topics that include hiring the right people, reading financials, developing a company culture and creative financing. Hardaway said she'll also talk about whether an idea is financially viable and how to create the best odds of succeeding because the vast majority of new businesses fail.
Startups have to start methodically, she said. Rather than starting with an expensive lease that could consume limited funds, Hardaway said companies need to first develop a minimum viable product.
"If people are willing to pay for it, great," she said. "Then you spend all your time making it better and building an organization around it."
Courses begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2 and continue through April 5. To sign up, go to http://westmesanewventure.eventbrite.com/
Contact writer: (480) 898-6548 or ggroff@evtrib.com
renew21 posted at 9:22 am on Thu, Feb 2, 2012.
Im not sure I would want to associate with the CDC, especially Dunham. But what has the CDC done in the past 4 years since Mr. Richins left for the city? Nothing. The thing is, you had a person who cared about the community, and this Ex. Dir and the past one did not live in Mesa or care about the west side.
The CDC supposedly got a big name, but not a work horse who gets things done. Every time I have tried to stop by, Dunham is not there, she only works part time.
UCLaw posted at 9:45 am on Thu, Feb 2, 2012.
The truth needs to be told about the CDC and Dunham. First of all, they are in violation of federal law and should not be getting any funds. They did not have an open process when hiring the HOA former Gilbert Mayor and refuse not to do so. She was picked by Richins as successor of the failure, DUI McNammara. The CDC has been a failure and a waste of taxpayer money the past few years. The current and last Ex Directors have no connections with the area and are not residents of this community and they dont care about West Mesa. At least Richins put in the time, worked hard and created opportunities besides his big government mentality. He at least he did not sit on his behind like these two have. Dunham is making a full time salary while only working part time. If I want my business to fail, then I would attend this tax payer funded failure of an organization.
This is what happens people when we keep doing the retread of failed leadership. Get new, hungry talent to get things moving in Mesa. Not someone who looks down to us and is there to collect a check.
renew21 posted at 9:52 am on Thu, Feb 2, 2012.
Ouch UC. I personally think the CDC has a lot of potential that has not been realized. I think this goes to what you said about leadership. Look at our Major, some of our councilmemebers, and cvb director. Leaders with a purpose, vision and drive to get things done.