Do you have a viable business idea or side gig you want to expand? Do you have a start-up business operating for less than 1 year?

For aspiring entrepreneurs, the Entrepreneur Training for Success (ETS) program will give you the training and skills you need to launch and operate your business successfully!

For Spring 2025, we are offering the ETS program for residents of:

Montgomery County, MD (for English speakers only)
Arlington County, VA (for English speakers only)

These cohorts are sponsored by Montgomery Coun ty, MD & Arlington County, VA.

What is ETS?

Entrepreneur Training for Success (ETS) is a 4-month intensive course in business, workforce, life, and leadership skills. Taught over 60 hours, ETS strongly emphasizes the fundamentals of micro-entrepreneurship, combined with the basics of financial literacy.

Each week participants will learn key skills that can transform their idea into a business, including:

Time management
Marketing and Sales
Branding and Communications
Accounting and Budgeting
Pricing your products & services
Registering your business
Financing your business
Pitching your business to potential partners and investors
and much more!

Each cohort consists of:

Up to 14 participants
Lead Trainer & Financial Trainer
Volunteer Mentors
Expert Guests

Meet the program trainer! - Sharmila Karamchandani

Sharmila Karamchandani is a talented graphic designer, art educator, and creative entrepreneur with a passion for empowering others through design and education. She holds an MFA in Graphic Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and has been teaching graphic design for over a decade at various institutions. As a business owner herself, Sharmila combines her artistic expertise with her entrepreneurial spirit to deliver impactful design solutions. Her dedication to community engagement is evident through her long-standing involvement with Empowered Women International, where she has served as a lead trainer for over 16 years, mentoring and inspiring women from diverse backgrounds. Sharmila's work reflects her commitment to creativity, education, and making a positive difference in the community.

When do classes start?

Starting Monday, April 21, 2025. Sessions occur on Mondays (and some Wednesdays) evenings at 6:30 pm.

How much does ETS cost?

Thanks to our generous funders, there is NO COST for those qualified applicants who qualify and are accepted to participate in the ETS program.

Is there a deadline to apply?

We accept applications for Spring 2025 classes until midnight on Monday, April 14, 2025.

What is the application process?

Because spots are limited, there is an application and selection process to participate in the Entrepreneur Training for Success (ETS) program. The application process is as follows:

1- Submit your application

Check your email! A member of the team will email you within 24 hours.

2- Schedule your interview

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be instructed by email to schedule an interview with a member of the team.

The interview will be conducted online via Teams.

During the interview, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about the ETS program, and we will take some time to learn more about you and your business or business idea.

3- Notification of acceptance

If accepted into the ETS program, you will be notified by email no later than Wednesday, April 16, 2025.