The inaugural Emerging Leaders class in Little Rock.
The last several years have seen a proliferation of business programs and resources in Arkansas, both public and private, designed to help startups and small businesses get off the ground.
One such program, the Emerging Leaders Initiative from the U.S. Small Business Administration, made its debut in Arkansas this fall and flew very much under the radar. It recently graduated its first class.
ELI isn’t another startup program per se, but a training initiative designed for leaders of businesses poised for growth in “historically challenged communities.” The program provides mentorship and access to resources. To qualify, participants must have annual revenue of $400,000, have been in business at least three years and have one employee other than the owner.
Fifteen Arkansas business owners took part in the seven-month program, which consisted of 14 three-hour sessions held at the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Venture Center. Companies represented include
- P.I. Roofing
- Arkansas Records Management
- Woods Group Architects
- Collateral Valuation Consultants
- Government Supply Services
- North Bluffs Development Corp.
- Arkansas Shades, Blinds & Shutters
- Vision Information Technology Consultants
- Touch of Anointing Janitorial & Maintenance
- Go Ye Inc.
- Conway Machine
- Harvest Fresh Farm
- East Arkansas Broadcasters
- and Zuni Learning Tree.
Annual revenue for the companies when they entered the program ranged from $400,000 to more than $3 million, and program instructor David Moody says many have already experienced significant growth in 2015. The inaugural ELI class in Arkansas is forming a “CEO group” to continue learning from and helping one another, Moody said.
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