[OMS_MANAGERS] Kauffman Foundation's 1 Million Cups Entrepreneurship Development Program

[STUART Sheri * OPRD]

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Hi all,

Last summer we had Linda Haglund, executive director of the Wenatchee Downtown Association in Washington, do a presentation on how they are using the Entrepreneurship Development program created by the Kauffman Foundation. I just had a follow-up email from her about how things are progressing one year later. If you haven't heard of this program, I strongly encourage you to check it out - you can click on the link in Linda's message and go to the "About" page to learn more. Also, if you are engaged with the program, please share your experience. Here's what Linda had to say:

Our program along with the Chamber and our Community College Center for Entrepreneurship saw great opportunity in engaging with the Kauffman Foundation for One Million Cups.  We asked for special consideration for a once a month option.  Typically they encourage once a week.  We realized this is doable once a month and they allowed us to do that.  We have been going for a year now.  Our site is  www.1millioncups.com/wenatcheevalley<http://www.1millioncups.com/wenatcheevalley>

Honestly the onboarding with the Foundation was the easiest thing I have ever done.  The program really runs itself because they provide all the collateral, signage and swag for presenters.  Lessons learned thus far:

  1.  Educating people to apply to present.
  2.  Consistency in mentoring the applicants.
  3.  Getting the interested presenters to attend a cups so they can see the format
  4.  Importance in follow up after they present for updates and confirmation of support.
  5.  Having a hand out each time so people can take the information on the presenters with them.  (I have attached a copy of a two-sided handout)

Wins:

  1.  The support they feel during and after their presentation.
  2.  The honest and open conversations to help the presenter feel like they received some help with issues they are facing
  3.  Each meeting brings different people.  We average 30 plus (largest has been 50) and it is all organic.  Social media primarily.  I am connected here beyond normal spending my entire life here and each month I look out over the people and say "I have never seen come of these people"...huge win.
  4.  I don't have to go asking for sponsorship or money.  Not allowed in the format of the program  So for me leading one of the lead organizations, I can simply do what I believe is in my job description...support and cheerlead local small businesses and provide support for economic development.
  5.  All have commented that they found the experience to be transformational.  They felt connected and they had made the significant connections to build a support system.

This falls under my Economic Committee in the Main Street Process.

Cheers, Sheri
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