OPERATION JUMPSTART TO GRADUATE ITS FIRST CLASS OF ENTREPRENEURS IN MADISON COUNTY
Madison County, MS- Over the past 6 weeks, Madison County Economic Development Authority partnered with Holmes Community College in Ridgeland to offer an entrepreneurial training program called Operation JumpStart. Operation JumpStart is a hands-on, 36 hour training program designed to help aspiring and existing entrepreneurs determine the feasibility of their business ideas while building essential business planning and preparation skills. Skills learned throughout the program include business concept development; market research and analysis; and pricing and financial projections. Business coaches and guest speakers enhanced the overall effectiveness of the program.
Operation JumpStart graduation will take place Thursday, March 21st at 6:00 p.m. in the McGowan Workforce Center at Holmes Community College in Ridgeland. Dr. Glenn Boyce, President of Holmes Community College, will serve as the guest speaker. During the commencement ceremony, graduates will present their executive summaries.
Operation JumpStart Graduates: William H. Bettis, David A. Boackle, Ryan Everett, Glenn Gore, Julie Gore, Philip J. Hollen, Mikel R. Mahaffey, James McIlwain, Janeth McIlwain, Brad McMahan, Rochelle Paretti, Miriam Saliba, Jeffrey Sones, Tracey Thompson, and Natwassie Truly.
Operation JumpStart Volunteers
Facilitator: Rob Burnham
Program Coordinator: Slade Redwine
Guest speaker/business coach coordinators: Rob Burnham, Lenita Knight, Danielle Winningham
Guest speakers: Wes Holsapple, Shelton Vance, James Chapman, Michael Harris, John Abbate, Brad McMullan, Carter Smith, Phil Buffington, Jack Curry, Dwayne Perkins and Shelia Jackson.
Business Coaches: Kurt Black, Darryl Jenkins, Dave Jesiolowski, and Susan Sgrignoli.
Operation JumpStart was created in 2006 by the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Operation JumpStart is a practical, hands-on, microenterprise development program designed to help entrepreneurs test the feasibility of their business ideas and plan to launch new ventures. At the conclusion of the training, participants present executive summaries of their feasibility plans. For more information, contact Slade Redwine at (662) 227-2349 or email sredwine@holmescc.edu.
