BHCC’s Enterprise Center for Entrepreneurship and Training (ECET) supports residents and small businesses in Chelsea, Everett, and adjacent communities. The Center provides much-needed small business guidance and assistance in multiple languages through online consultation and workshops to address talent recruitment, career readiness, business planning, and innovation.
Upcoming Classes
Entrepreneurship Overview (NON-022E F01)
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the principles of entrepreneurship and aims to provide attendees with the skills needed to effectively organize, develop, create, and manage a business. Topics include opportunity recognition, developing an effective business model, preparing the proper legal foundation, attaining financing, and small business marketing to name a few. Upon completion, attendees should have a solid understanding of the entrepreneurial process and the issues to consider when starting a small business.
Go into Business for Yourself
Financial Literacy
Budgeting Basics (NON-033E 01)
Instructor: BHCC/Armanino
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Please join us for a session on Budgeting Basics that will equip you with essential skills that will cover crucial topics such as the importance of budgeting, strategies to build your personal budget and more.
Resume Writing (NON-034E 01)
Instructor: BHCC/Armanino
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Please join us for a session on Resume Writing. You will discover the importance of a compelling resume, explore how to demonstrate your skills and interests even without experience and much more!
Managing Credit Cards and Credit Scores (NON-035E 01)
Instructor: BHCC/Armanino
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Please join us for a session on Managing Credit Cards & Credit Scores where you will learn the fundamentals of credit reports and scores, strategies to build a positive credit history, intelligent use of credit cards and methods to safeguard your credit and identity.
LinkedIn: Build Your Brand (NON-037E-01)
Instructor: BHCC/Armanino
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Please join us for a session on LinkedIn and how to build your brand. More than ever, networking and relationships dictate career success. We’re living in a time where virtual meetings outnumber in-person events, so how can you put yourself “out there” as a student to attract the best internships and jobs? What does it take to create a unique personal brand? Join us for a lively conversation and a few simple things that can turbo-charge your brand today!
Introduction To Grant Writing (Hybrid) (NON-020E F01)
Course Description
In the "Grant Writing Skills" course, students gain an understanding of the skills needed to craft compelling state and federal grant proposals. From mastering research techniques to crafting compelling narratives, students develop proficiency in grant research, writing, and project management. Gain critical thinking prowess to align proposals with funders' priorities and enhance communication skills for impactful grant applications.
Managing Small Business Financials (NON-041E 01)
This workshop series offers an introduction to enhancing your financial skills and obtaining capital to grow your business. Participants will gain insight into fundamental cash flow management, the distinctions between personal and business credit and the ins and outs of business loan underwriting. Additionally, we will cover both traditional and alternative lending options.
Workshops in the series include:
- Cash Flow Management:
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business – big or small. Discover strategies to enhance your cash flow and how to monitor via financial statements.
- Building Business Credit
Learn about the significance of business credit starting with an in-depth look at how it differs from personal credit and key strategies to improve your scores.
- 6 Cs of Business Credit:
Come hang out with us as we break down the 6 Cs of credit and uncover what goes on behind the scene of a loan decision.
- Access to Capital:
Beyond the facts and figures. Join us as we demystify how business loans work and the types of conventional and alternative lending available.
Dates: January 15, 22, 29 and February 5 on Wednesdays from 6-9 p.m. at Chelsea Campus.
Cost: FREE
Non-Profit Management (NON – 021E)
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to creating a non-profit business. Topics include: Legal creation, board recruiting, finances, ethics, business planning, fundraising. Students will create a business plan of their own, incorporating the points covered. Participants will be able to make presentations (or pitches) to the group of their business plan for feedback.
Cost: $375*
*Limited funds for tuition are available for those who own a small business in Chelsea
Be the Change You Wish to See
Professional Presentation Skills for Multi-Language Speakers (NON-026E-N01)
Course Description
Unlock the power of effective communication in our "Professional Presentation Skills for Multi-Language Learners" class. Gain hands-on experience developing and presenting your business ideas to diverse audiences, including potential customers, loan officers, and city officials. Build confidence and master strategies to articulate your ideas with clarity and impact. Elevate your professional presence today.
Professional Presentation Skills for Multi-Language Speakers in Portuguese (NON-027E-N01)
Unlock the power of effective communication in our "Professional Presentation Skills for Multi-Language Learners in Portuguese" class. Class is taught in Portuguese, with opportunities to practice presenting in English. Gain hands-on experience developing and presenting your business to diverse audiences, including potential customers, loan officers, and city officials. Build confidence and master strategies to articulate your ideas with clarity and impact. Elevate your professional presence today.
Professional Presentation Skills for Multi-Language Speakers in Spanish (NON-028E-01)
Unlock the power of effective communication in our "Professional Presentation Skills for Multi-Language Learners in Spanish" class. Class is taught in Spanish, with opportunities to practice presenting in English. Gain hands-on experience developing and presenting your business to diverse audiences, including potential customers, loan officers, and city officials. Build confidence and master strategies to articulate your ideas with clarity and impact. Elevate your professional presence today.
Restaurant Entrepreneurship in Spanish (NON-601E)
Course Description
Dive into the vibrant world of culinary business with our new course, "Restaurant Entrepreneurship," now offered in Spanish. Tailored for aspiring restaurateurs, this dynamic program covers everything from concept development and menu design to effective marketing and staff management. Gain practical insights and strategies to launch and sustain a successful restaurant. Whether you're dreaming of opening a cozy café or a bustling eatery, this course is your stepping stone to becoming a standout in the food industry.
Emprendimiento en Restaurantes en Español
Sumérgete en el vibrante mundo del negocio culinario con nuestro nuevo curso, "Emprendimiento Restaurantero", ahora ofrecido en español. Diseñado para los aspirantes a restauranteros, este programa dinámico abarca todo desde el desarrollo de conceptos y diseño de menús hasta marketing efectivo y gestión de personal. Obtén conocimientos prácticos y estrategias para lanzar y sostener un restaurante exitoso. Ya sea que sueñes con abrir un acogedor café o un concurrido comedor, este curso es tu trampolín para destacarte en la industria alimentaria.
Start and Run a Successful Restaurant
ServSafe Certification Classes
ServSafe classes are food safety training programs that teach food service employees and managers how to handle food safely and responsibly. The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation developed ServSafe to help prevent foodborne illnesses. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a ServSafe certificate.
Small Business Marketing: Your Business Growth Blueprint in Five Weeks (NON-600E)
Course Description
Created for small business owners and entrepreneurs, this course offers a practical, hands-on approach to marketing. In just five weeks, you'll build your marketing plan through practical, actionable steps drawing from Allan Dib's best-selling book, The 1-Page Marketing Plan. With a blend of interactive discussions and targeted take-home assignments, you'll be actively engaged in the learning process, steadily developing an effective and tailored plan to your business's unique goals. By the end of the course, you'll have a well-crafted, actionable draft ready to drive your business forward.
Grow an Audience and Your Business
About ECET
The Center for Entrepreneurship evolved from a Small Business needs assessment by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, a comprehensive study of small business activity and opportunities in those communities, and was created in partnership with the City of Chelsea and funded by a $377,000 federal grant secured with the help of Senator Edward Markey and Senator Elizabeth Warren.