SIDE STREET TO MAIN STREET
BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Sponsored by: The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce
Funded by: Aetna, Inc. Facilitated by: The Essex Group
Now in its 15th year, and fully funded by a Grant from Aetna, Inc., Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce’s Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program, is a one year long entrepreneurial and business development course, specifically designed to assist minority small business owners in the community, who have not had formal business training, to become more successful by developing the attitudes, skills and qualities necessary for effective business ownership and success, taking them from the Side Street to the Main Street of the business community. Since the inception of the program in 1997, over 170 people have graduated from the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program, and it has been a successful and effective way in which we have encouraged the development and growth of small, minority-owned businesses.
Beginning with 15 facilitated, interactive 3 to 4 hour weekly work sessions, two hours of outside reading and written homework for each hour of the weekly group sessions, the program is designed to build skills, explore the true entrepreneurial interests of each person, by producing a formal, compelling and operational version of their business and financial plans. Quarterly follow-up sessions reinforce the process so that participants meet with their expert business facilitators over the course of one full year.
To participate in the program, each Fall, new applicants must attend a mandatory 3-4 hour Program Orientation and Application Process. We will accept the first 16 qualified applications. Priority will be given to qualified candidates who signed up for the previous year’s program, but were not selected, before newer applications are considered.
Classes are held at the Chamber offices, 393 Main Street, Middletown. The fee for this program is normally over $5,000 per participant, but because Aetna, Inc. provides a generous Grant, there is no charge for qualified participants.
Taught by The Essex Group Facilitator, JIM JACKSON, the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program has won a number of awards since its first program began in 1997/1998.
The 1998 Middlesex County NAACP Business Award for the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program was the first NAACP Business Award to any state Chamber of Commerce.
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy honored the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program with the Vision 2000 Award as the State Model of Excellence for Minority Business Development.
In 2006, The Middlesex County NAACP’s Annual Business Award was renamed the Lawrence D. McHugh Business Award in recognition of Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce President, Larry McHugh’s on going commitment to minority business development. The first recipients of the renamed award were: Aetna, Inc., for their funding and support of the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program. Jim Jackson and David Bohy of the Essex Group for designing and facilitating the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program.
In 2007, the U.S. Small Business Administration gave its Connecticut Minority Small Business Champion Award to Jim Jackson for his work on the Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program.
2011 Celebrate Connecticut! Recognition from The Connecticut Economic Resource Center and The Middlesex Region for contribution to the growth of our state.
For more detailed information, Email: jennifer@middlesexchamber.com or telephone Jennifer 860-347-6924.