About Us
Barclays & Launcher
Our History
Since 2016, Barclays has provided more than $1 million to support Launcher, which is an initiative of the West End Neighborhood House, a Delaware-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals achieve self-sufficiency and reach and maintain their maximum potential.
“The Launcher Entrepreneurship Program at West End Neighborhood House provides the critical support entrepreneurs need to pursue their dreams of becoming small business owners,” said Nancy Parnella, director of business cards, Barclays. “Barclays is proud to support our community and provide business owners of all sizes the resources they need to succeed.”
Launcher Graduates
New Businesses
Jobs Created/Retained
How does the program work?
Goal of Training:
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To develop a strong understanding of small business management
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To complete a solid business and financial plan
Type of Training:
- Classes, workshops and one-on-one sessions taught by experienced small business instructors
- Class size of 8-12 students ensures all participants receive personal attention
- Topics covered include operations management, marketing, financial management and more
- Course content and pace are customized to entrepreneurs’ needs
- Culturally sensitive entrepreneur training
Course Outline:
- Attributes of Success
- Planning for Business
- The Market- Customers and Competition
- Marketing and Branding
- Web-Based Marketing
- Credit and Financing
- Management and Operations
- Alumni Speaker/Competition Reporting
- Financial Planning: Part 1
- Financial Planning: Part 2
- Are You Ready?
- Graduation!
Training Schedule:
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Classes are held one evening per week for 2 hours.
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Locations are chosen geographically: Wilmington, Claymont and Dover.
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Training consists of eleven classroom sessions and ten hours of individual consultation.
Program Cost:
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Tuition for the LAUNCHER program is valued at $2,500. Thanks to the generous support of Barclays, we are able to waive tuition cost for students accepted into the LAUNCHER program. The only cost to you will be a materials fee of $100 dollars. Extra manuals for partnerships is $40.
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Fees must be paid before first class session.
Our Instructors
John DeCostanza
Claymont instructor
John Bio
Janaid Kareem
Dover Instructor
Janaid Bio
Kristin Jackson-Bowen
Wilmington Instructor
Kristin Bio
Duniesky Landa
Latino Instructor
Dunie Bio
Community Partners
Joe Wisniewski
The mission of BCC is to improve the quality of life for individuals and families in the Eastern Brandywine Hundred area by providing a range of affordable and accessible educational, recreational, self-enrichment, and family support services.
William Grimes
NCALL has been in business serving the Delmarva Peninsula since 1976. NCALL is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Dover, Delaware, that specializes in affordable housing development, education and lending.
Gabrielle Lantieri
Cornerstone West CDC is a community development corporation (under the West End umbrella) that promotes the revitalization of Wilmington’s West Side neighborhoods through building affordable housing and strengthening small businesses.
Our Staff
Will Minster
Director
Will’s Bio
Michelle Willows-Butrim
Program Manager
Michelle’s Bio
Powered By
Thanks to generous support from BARCLAYS, the LAUNCHER program was established to help start-up and young micro-businesses obtain business training, financing and other support within their own communities.
