User:WIBO PR/sandbox

The Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) is a non-profit organization based in New York.It began in 1966 in response to the absence of economic power in the African-American community. The founders felt that economic, political and social equality could be achieved most quickly and effectively by training and assisting minorities to build growing prosperous businesses.

Today WIBO helps small business owners and budding entrepreneurs from underserved communities to obtain financial success by starting, operating, and building successful businesses that develop economic power, provide jobs and improve communities.

WIBO HISTORY

WIBO's first sixteen-week workshop, How to Build a Growing Profitable Business, opened in Harlem on March 5, 1966. Fifteen students enrolled, fourteen graduated and eleven either started businesses or expanded existing businesses. Word of WIBO's success quickly spread and within five years, WIBO workshops were being conducted in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, New Jersey and Westchester.

WIBO FACTSHEET

Since 1966, WIBO has developed over 15,000 entrepreneurs resulting in the creation of 31,500 jobs.

Over 54% of WIBO graduates are in business after 5 years, compared to the national average of 20%.

WIBO hosts 288 workshop sessions, seven business support services and 150 volunteers.

Of the 1500 aspiring entrepreneurs WIBO assists each year, 80% come from graduate recommendations. Fifty-six percent of the volunteer staff are WIBO graduates.

Sixty-five percent of clients have household incomes below $50,000 and 43% have incomes below $30,000.

WIBO entrepreneurs are from Harlem, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Downtown Brooklyn, Lower East Side, Washington Heights, Southeast Queens, South Bronx, Long Island City and Yonkers.

WIBO WORKSHOP DETAILS

The 16-week workshop and consulting services are equivalent to a mini MBA program. Due to private support, the workshop is free and the cost for materials is $249 with further discounts for individuals with incomes under $50,000. The market value of the workshop is $4000. All other services are free.