The Community Business Academy
ASPIRE helps Charlotte's business owners find their voices, gain their confidence, and build strong foundations for their entrepreneurial pursuits.
REGISTER BELOW
What is the CBA?
The Community Business Academy (CBA) is a 12-week course offering business training for entrepreneurs (like you!) and focuses on business fundamentals such as budgeting, marketing, finance, and more. Our robust curriculum provides participants with the business skills that are essential for success through the use of interactive simulation exercises and hands-on training. Classes are taught by experienced small business owners with a wealth of entrepreneurial insight and knowledge. CBA classes are offered twice per year – in the Spring and Fall. Sessions are 3 hours long and held once per week.
Unlike other small business training programs, we aim to remove barriers to entry to the world of entrepreneurship. The CBA is right for you whether you have a strong business idea and a passion to start your own business, or already own a business, and want to improve your business management skills. What you need to successfully journey through our program is the willpower and commitment to step boldly into the change you desire to see.
Why choose the CBA?
· FUN Community Learning Environment
· Interactive Programming
· Real-time Implementation
· Business Simulation Games
· Practice Running a Business
· Strengthening Your Business in Every Session!
Hear from our CBA Graduates:
Excellent, informative and transformative for all entrepreneurs. Great use of you time to work on your business, rather then working in your business.
I wouldn’t change anything, all of the information and exercises were valuable and pertinent to any kind of business.
I was a bit hesitant about committing to a 12 week course from 6-9pm?!! BUT I am so glad I did. This class is now a part of my family/network. I look forward to supporting their businesses as well.
ASPIRE Community Capital is definitely a gem whose brilliance will never be dimmed with the valuable program that they offer for existing and new entrepreneurs. The information offered is invaluable.
Register for an Info Session Here:
*Attending an information session is REQUIRED for all applicants!*
Once you've attended an Information Session, we will send you a "Community Business Academy" Application via email.
Don't see any Info Session times in the above form's dropdown menu?
Don't panic! To ensure we have the optimal class size and full attention from our staff, we only offer the Community Business Academy TWICE per year, in the Spring and Fall. Check back on this page in January/February and July/August for open information session dates. Sign up for our Newsletter at the bottom of our homepage here to make sure to stay in the loop on all things ASPIRE!
FAQs
If you need more information, we invite you to email our Programs team.
New to ASPIRE? We're so glad you're here!
ASPIRE Community Capital helps Charlotte's potential and current business owners find their voices, gain their confidence, and build strong foundations for their entrepreneurial pursuits. We unleash this transformation by developing the skills of entrepreneurs and providing the resources to build strong businesses that support families and strengthen communities.
Who We Are:
- Our mission is to empower underestimated individuals and communities through entrepreneurial training, programming, and access to financial resources.
- We specialize in creating opportunities for self-sufficiency and financial independence through our business education programs and micro-lending service.
What We Do:
- We provide current and future business owners with the critical resources they need to start a business and succeed.
- ASPIRE supports business owners with finding their voices, gaining their confidence, and building strong foundations.
- We unleash this transformation by developing the skills of entrepreneurs and providing the resources to build businesses that support families and strengthen communities.