Entrepreneur Assistance Center

The Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC) is a one-stop, full-service center serving the New York City area entrepreneurs since 1992 through its rigorous training and project-based coaching. A signature program of the QEDC, our mission is to give entrepreneurs the resources and tools they need to benefit from running their own successful small business.

To date, we have assisted over 700 individuals in creating over 100 businesses and 350 jobs, as well as obtaining over $3.8 million in financing and achieving $6.8 million in sales. If you are a new or established entrepreneur looking to have the same impact for your business, read on!

We can help you if

You have a business idea but don’t know the first thing about running a business. The whole process overwhelms you and you don’t know where to begin.
You have a business idea and have taken some action. You are ready to take the next steps and learn more about running a business.
You have made some serious traction with your business and now want to learn how to scale your business.
You are a natural born entrepreneur who has stumbled on a problem and need to problem solve.
You work a job and have a dream of starting your own business. Your goal is to explore additional income options which will allow you to have the freedom you desire.
You have a calling or a purpose that you want to follow and fulfill.

1-1 Technical Assistance

Our personalized technical assistance option allows for you to work with a business advisor for free from the convenience of yourhome. Each appointment can be made by going through our appointment portal and selecting the advisor with whom you needguidance from. Technical assistance appointments are usually one hour long and can be used for the following:

Registering a business with NYS
Learning about the permits, licenses, and other legal requirements to set up your business
Working with NYC/ Government contracting
Reviewing your business plan for funding
Assistance in generating a business model that is viable
General business counseling
Focus on one area: marketing, sales, finances, funding, web development, AI, operations, sourcing, growth, commercial space, legal, M/WBE certification assistance, and much more.

Long Term Coaching and Mentoring

Coaching and mentoring program takes 1-1 technical assistance further. While the goal of technical assistance is to trouble shoot and problem solve, the goal of our mentorship program is to work with you in a long term capacity.

If in your initial technical assistance we assess your needs to be long term or project base, a mentorship relationship is formed between you and your business advisor. You may be assigned another coach who is better suited to you or your business problem, or you may be referred to work with one head coach and multiple industry professionals. To get started, first book your free technical assistance appointment.

Business Training Course

Each fall, the Entrepreneurship Assistance Center (EAC) offers its comprehensive, 60-hour, hands-on business training course for new and existing business owners. This 10-week intensive is specifically designed to minimize the risk and maximize the potential success of starting or expanding a business.

You will learn by completing tasks during the class sessions and developing on those assignments – whether the assignment is to create financial statements, create a webpage or sell an MVP (minimal viable product).

The course is divided into two parts. The first half focuses on understanding the framework for taking a business idea, product or service and testing it to see if there is a product market fit. Does this product have enough market potential? How can you find out? You will test ideas in real time to test its feasibility and learn to pivot if needed until you find the correct fit for your product.

The second half focuses on more specific business building skill sets and knowledge such as conducting market research, creating financial projections and budgets, and learning about the different legal structures, intellectual property options and contracts for your business.

By taking this course, you will learn to do the following:

Business Skills

Go through a fixed framework to determine if a new product or idea will be feasible.
Learn how to talk to potential customers and go through the customer discovery process
Create a minimal viable product (MVP) and test it on your target market
Start selling your product
Analyze and create financial statements and projections
Access legal, accounting, technology, and licensing resources provided by our professional network
Complete a professional business plan to be used for funding and planning purposes
Become part of a network of EAC alumni – a support system for business development
Receive ongoing personalized, one-on-one coaching and consulting as you continue working on your business

Technical Skills

Zoom video conferencing
Google Drive
Project management
Digital marketing
Data analysis
Landing page
Ad management

Location

Virtual, conducted via Zoom. Links will be sent right before class starts.

Instructor

Malla Haridat is an entrepreneurship coach/strategist and founder of Mom and Daughters Inc., and a trainer for youth business-builder programs. As the founder and CEO of New Designs for Life, Malla is a nationally recognized expert in the specialized field of entrepreneurship education and has trained over 5,000 students.

She has traveled extensively throughout the United States working in partnership with companies developing creative solutions for entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. Her company was awarded the 2005 New York City Small Business Award of theYear and has been featured in media like The New York Times, ABC, Fox 5 Good Day Street Talk and Huffington Post.

This is her third year teaching the EAC business training course. You can check her out on https://mallaharidat.com/

Cost

The class is usually $500, but this year, thanks to additional funding, this year the class will require a refundable deposit of $150. As long as you complete the following, you will be receive the $150 back with your graduation certificate:

You complete all mandatory work assignments
You submit a business plan and pitch deck with presentation at the end
You attend 80% or 16/20 classes) live. Watching recordings will not count

Application Process

Fill out the application. (This should take approximately 25 minutes)
Wait for someone to schedule a phone interview with you.
Ace the interview! Don’t worry, this is not something to fret. We want to get to know you a bit better and make sure that we are the right fit for each other.
Pay the fee. A payment link will be sent to you. Payment must be received before class begins. If you cannot make the payment on time, please email Bpunjwani@queensny.org for financing options.
Read your emails. Make sure you are receiving emails from us because we will be sending information on next steps and logistics.
Come to class – virtually, of course! Make sure you are hydrated and that you are able to spend the next three hours distraction-free and focused on crushing your business goals.

FAQs

What does "business training" mean?

Please don’t confuse “business training” with a lecture-based course. Although this class is online, we call it “training” because you’ll develop an entrepreneurial mindset and learn how to think on your feet through assignments.

Is this 60-hour class theoretical?

No. It’s applied and highly interactive. You can expect to be pushed out of your comfort zone and do actual assignments such as customer interviews and website building.

What will I learn during class?

Here’s a list of a few skills you’ll obtain:
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Learn how to talk to potential customers and go through the customer-discovery process;
‍
Create a minimal viable product (MVP) and test it on a target market;
Validate a business model that’s ready to be scaled;
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Start selling your product;
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Complete a professional business plan to be used for funding and planning purposes;
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Access legal, accounting, technology, and licensing resources provided by QEDC’s professional network; and
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Analyze and create financial statements and projections.

Will my class cover my industry?

Yes, you’ll focus on your industry and business, and as results and goals change, you’ll learn to adapt and pivot. All students will meet with business coaches (online, of course) to assess their situations and tailor plans that work for them.

While the class does not focus on a specific industry, QEDC’s business coaches have resources in a variety of industries to share when you make an appointment.

Is the class online?

Yes, the class is 100 percent online, using Zoom as the primary platform.

How much does the class cost?

The class this year will require a $150 refundable deposit. As long as you are able to complete the course requirements (complete all work assignments, submit a business plan and pitch deck with presentation, and attend 80% or 16/20 classes) you will receive the $150 back along with a graduation certificate. If you are interested in learning about payment plan options, email Bhavna at bpunjwani@queensny.org.

Can we view the syllabus?

Yes, you can take a look at the syllabus by emailing bpunjwani@queensny.org and requesting a copy.

How can I register for the class?

You must fill out an application. It’ll be reviewed and you’ll receive an email to schedule a 20-minute interview. Once accepted into the program, you’ll receive a link to pay and claim your seat accordingly.

The EAC is a QEDC Program funded by Empire State Development Corporation.

Program