CAPE CORAL, Fla. - s4story -- Aspiring entrepreneurs thinking about starting a business, or who have launched but need some mentoring, are encouraged to apply for the Goodwill Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute. The next session begins March 23, 2026 at the West Cape Goodwill Community Resource Center, located at 1499 SW Pine Island Rd. inside the West Cape Goodwill store.

The MicroEnterprise Institute is a six-week training program that helps emerging entrepreneurs start new ventures and grow small businesses. Graduates complete a comprehensive training course and prepare a solid plan to guide their start-up. They work with mentors who are successful businesspeople and hear from subject matter experts in areas of accounting, legal, marketing, insurance, and funding.

An easy-to-use workbook, used by organizations across America, assists in transforming vision into a plan for a successful business. Classes meet Mondays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

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"I learned so much through that program—it filled major gaps in my business knowledge," said graduate Nora Wallace of Wallace Custom Cabinetry. "I thought I knew what I was doing, but I realized there was so much I didn't know."

To apply, visit https://goodwillswfl.org/services/small-business-development/, or call (239) 995-2106 ext. 2304.  The session is $80; Volunteer hours can be substituted for the fee if income requirements are met. For more information, email Sandra Plazas at sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org. (mailto:sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org) Attendance is limited, sign up now.

The Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute is a program offered by the nonprofit, Goodwill Southwest Florida. It is part of Goodwill's mission of providing life-changing opportunities toward independence for those with disabilities and disadvantages. For more information about Goodwill Southwest Florida, visit www.goodwillswfl.org.