Business + Diversity + Inclusion = Momentum

Momentum is a minority and women owned business education and mentorship program targeted toward those in business for less than five years and are actively seeking growth strategies. Participation is by application.

Program components include:

• Six workshop sessions on topics ranging from business structure to business funding, marketing and branding, strategic planning, forecasting, and plan implementation.
• Full Chamber membership benefits for half price for two years which includes Chamber 101 business support, free business promotion, networking events, and facilitated introductions.
• Individual and/or group mentoring by Chamber staff and Chamber-member businesses based on their own identified growth goals and needs. At the end of the program, participants will receive certificates of completion they may provide to financial institutions.

As the Momentum grows, the hope is to have program graduates engage in mentoring new program participants, completing the circle of a community where successful businesses help other businesses be successful.
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Potential
​Participants

Sponsor​Opportunities

Accepted Momentum members will:

• attend a number of Chamber events including Chamber 101 and Momentum Program seminars/workshops which are geared to help grow their business, provide a support network, and utilize Chamber membership to their best advantage.
  
  
• receive individual and/or group mentoring by volunteer Chamber businesses based on identified growth goals and needs.
  
  
• receive certificates of completion  suitable to include in funding requests to financial institutions upon graduation  and receive half-off Chamber membership pricing* for two years.
  
  
• evaluate the program and be asked to provide feedback.
  
  

* Momentum Program participation is by application only. If accepted, participants will pay half price for a 1-year membership in the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce. During this year, the participant will receive all regular membership benefits as well as full participation in the Momentum business growth and mentoring program.

Upon successful completion of the program, the Momentum participant will receive one year of Chamber membership also at half price. In essence, the Momentum participant will receive two full years of Chamber membership and benefits for the price of one, courtesy of the Chamber's Momentum Program sponsors.

• Sponsors do not have to be mentors and mentors do not have to be sponsors, but there are opportunities for both with the Momentum Program. Please contact Eugene Seals, Jr. for additional information.
  
  
• Sponsorships:
  Program Sponsors are Chamber members who provide funds equal to one free year of Chamber Membership which will be used to offset the fees of accepted participants in the Momentum Program.
  
  Workshop Sponsors provide funding to support presenters and materials of educational program sessions. A variety of Momentum Sponsorship levels are available and include recognition/promotion opportunities based on the selected sponsorship.
  
  
• Mentorship:
  Chamber members interested in providing mentorship to minority/women-owned businesses will be matched with program participants based on the business needs and goals of the participants. For example: a participant in need of budgeting information might be paired with an accounting firm or a company finance manager mentor. Mentors may work with a group or a single participant at a level that meets the needs of participant and mentor.
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• The Chamber monitors participation and adherence to program requirements and participants will be asked to evaluate the program and provide feedback.

​2023 Seminar/Workshop Descriptions

Session 1 - Introduction and Creating Your Business Structure
This session will introduce you to the Momentum Program and provide an overview of what to expect. Then we'll discuss decisions to consider when setting up your business structure. Choosing for your business to operate as a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, LLC (Limited Liability Company), S-Corporation, or C-Corporation will impact all future business decisions you make.

Session 2 - Business Funding
Funding and budgeting are important aspects of maintaining and growing any business. It is vital to know the benefits and drawbacks of each potential funding source to select the ideal resource to meet your business goals. This session will explore various types of funding sources and options available to business owners including those targeted towards small, minority and underserved population businesses. We'll also discuss budgeting for your business. If you do not budget, your money will flow out of your business account without direction. Budgeting ensures that your business spending matches your business priorities.

Session 3 - Marketing, Branding and PR

1. Marketing your business makes new and existing customers aware of your products and services. It engages them and helps them make a buying decision.
2. Branding is the process of creating a distinct identity for your business in the mind of your target audience and consumers.
3. Public Relations helps manage perceptions and how people think about your business.

In this session you will learn the four P's of marketing and how to develop an effective marketing plan. We'll discuss what your brand says about your business, and we'll look at how a well-thought out Public Relations Plan can help you better connect with your target audience and inform the public about your business in a favorable way, including prospective customers, potential investors and/or partners, and other stakeholders.

Session 4 - Dig Deeper Strategic Planning
Strategic Planning helps define your vision for the future of your business including goals and objectives. It also helps you develop plans for allocating resources to attain your identified goals. Strategies should include mapping long-term plans, fostering innovative thinking, and anticipating and mitigating potential business pitfalls. In this session, we'll cover three key elements of strategic planning: long-range planning, operational planning, and strategic thinking.

Session 5 - Forecasting
Forecasting is a decision-making process used by many businesses to help with budgeting, planning and estimating future growth. We'll cover the practice of making predictions based on past and present data, anticipating change, reducing uncertainty, and identifying the best ways to achieve your goals.

Session 6 - Implementation and Presentation of Certificates
Business Implementation is the process of putting your strategies and plans into action to accomplish your objectives and goals. We'll go over several steps in the business implementation process including setting clear goals, determining roles and responsibilities, delegating the workload, executing the plan and monitoring and documenting your performance.
At the end, participants will be presented with a Certificate acknowledging the completion of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce Momentum Program.

​For more information or to apply -

Interested sponsors, mentors and participants in the Momentum - Minority & Women-Owned Business Mentorship Program should contact:

Eugene Seals, Jr.
Director, Member & Sponsor Sales
989-757-2112
Email Eugene
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