DO YOU DREAM OF STARTING OR EXPANDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

WE CAN HELP !

Eligibility Requirements:

* You are an émigré from the Former Soviet Union who entered the United States as an adult with refugee or parolee status.
* You live in the five boroughs of New York City, or in Westchester, or Long Island (Nassau or Suffolk).
* You do not have American educational credentials with high earning potential (e.g. MD, JD, DDS, MBA, CPA, etc).
* You demonstrate a viable business idea, based on prior experience with service/product.
* You do not qualify for a commercial bank loan.
* You have two personal guarantors.

(Applicants must meet all of the above requirements.)

How does the program work:

STEP 1: PRELIMINARY IN-PERSON MEETING

The Hebrew Free Loan Society (HFLS) Microenterprise Program coordinator  and JCH Business Club volunteers, all experienced business people, will meet with you in person at the “J” to discuss your business concept and financial needs.

The next meeting date is stated above under Apply Now!!

To participate in this meeting fill out the appropriate Business Proposal Form and fax it to JCH of Bensonhurst at (718) 232-8461. You can also bring a copy of your proposal to Luba Mikityanskaya at the JCH of Bensonhurst, 718-331-6800 ext.168, 7802 Bay Parkway, Brooklyn, N.Y. You need to submit your proposal a week prior to the interview date stated above on the website.

Once we receive your business proposal form, you will be contacted to set up an in-person interview.

PLEASE ACT QUICKLY AS SPACE IS LIMITED!  

DOWNLOAD A BUSINESS PROPOSAL FORM

To retrieve business proposal form on your computer click HERE

Adobe Acrobat required to view the above business proposal form
You should fill it out using a computer and then send it to us by email.

STEP 2: RECOMMENDATION FOR BUSINESS SERVICES:
Based on the interview, HFLS will make recommendations customized to your circumstances.  While applicants with no business experience will generally be referred to a basic business training course, applicants with business experience may proceed directly to the creation of a business plan.

STEP 3: CREATING A BUSINESS PLAN:

The Program offers free assistance to help you create a business plan.  All business plan assistance and business training are provided by HFLS-recommended sources mostly in English. An 8-week Business Course taught in Russian is being offered to new and expanding businesses starting September 24^th at Marks JCH. Please call Luba Mikityanskaya at 718-331-6800 ext.168 for registration information.

STEP 4: BUSINESS LOAN:

A joint HFLS/Business Club Committee will review completed business plans; applicants whose business plans are approved by this committee may then apply for an interest-free loan from HFLS to start or expand their business.  These loans are for up to $25,000 with repayment over up to five years.  All loans require two personal guarantors.  (For more information on loan documentation please review the attached LOAN APPLICATION.)  

STEP 5: START OR EXPEND YOUR BUSINESS!

STEP 6: POST START-UP/EXPANSION:

• To help you through the challenges of starting or expanding your business, HFLS will assist borrowers on ongoing basis with referrals to business professionals in various technical areas. After a loan is disbursed, quarterly reviews of the businesses will be conducted by HFLS staff in the first year and every six months thereafter.
• Mutual support/networking/professional programs.  Your membership in the Bensonhurt Business Club will provide you with ongoing opportunities to meet with other small business people, both beginners like you and those with years of experience. Business Club membership offers mutual support and networking opportunities as well as a rich variety of programs (e.g. presentations, workshops, etc.) of great interest and value to business people.

 1. Will the information contained in my Business Proposal and anything disclosed in my personal interview be kept confidential?

The program interviewers and mentors will keep all information disclosed to them in writing or in person strictly confidential.