Announcement
Sensing the entrepreneurial spirit of its clients, the IRC in NY created a Small Business Workshop series to help refugees, asylees, and humanitarian entrants realize their business goals here in New York City. Over the five sessions designed by the IRC’s Economic Empowerment team, clients will learn how to develop a business plan, navigate legal and licensing procedures in New York, marketing strategies and financial planning.
IRC clients learn about business structures, licensing procedures, and legal standards for New York businesses.
Photo: Pema Khorko/IRC.
Innovated by Economic Empowerment specialist Maria Sigalas and senior coordinator Pema Khorko, the IRC used its strong partnerships and relationships with New York City businesses and entrepreneurs to bring in speakers and facilitators, including presenters from Eat Offbeat and WeWork. Pema noted how important the presence of active business leaders in New York has been as facilitators, as clients interact with current examples of business success in their fields. By giving accessible success stories for clients to question and learn from, the Small Business Workshop series harnesses a collaborative spirit to empower clients in both their personal and business development.
The first session was held in early October, and clients were walked through business plan development by Manal Kahi, the co-founder and CEO of Eat Offbeat, a New York City catering company staffed by refugee and immigrant chefs. Manal encouraged clients to discuss their business ideas and explore the challenges and potential solutions to their intended projects. The second session saw a growth in participants as they learned about the licensing processes and legal requirements for New York businesses.
Attendees at the Licensing and Legal session celebrate their business plan developments.
Photo: Pema Khorko/IRC.
The Small Business Workshop series is designed to support clients at all stages of business development and resettlement status. The IRC’s staff is excited to watch these ideas grow and flourish throughout the series, and to support clients as they begin their paths towards entrepreneurship.
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