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June, 2001
COBB MICROENTERPRISE ALIGNS WITH DEKALB
By
Dianne McKinney and Jacqueline Berry
When
demographics indicated that 35 percent of clients seeking
the services of the The Cobb Microenterprise Center were
coming from DeKalb County, they decided that an alliance in
DeKalb was needed. So in May 2001, under the direction of
Patricia Harris, Executive Director of the Cobb
Microenterprise Center, members of DeKalb County Government
and United Way met to plan the replication of a
microenterprise program in DeKalb County. This
collaboration, called United Way/DeKalb Enterprise Business
Corporation (DEBCO) was subsequently formed.
“It was
incredible that someone was listening,” said Harris,
referring to the fact that DeKalb County and United Way
realized that people were leaving their own community to
services in Cobb County. She added that this alliance would
allow the residents of DeKalb County to “explore their own
resources that already exist.”
Jacqueline Berry, a graduate of the program is a resident of
DeKalb County and started Prime Documents, Inc., a
computer/desktop publishing business, with an array of
clients, including MARTA, British Airways, City of Atlanta,
United Impact for Positive Theater, and the International
Union of Elevator Constructors.
Her
story: “Prior to the discovery of Cobb Microenterprise, I
had never heard of Feasibility Plans, Market Analysis, Price
and Profitability Analysis, Pricing Strategies, etc. Today,
these things are a major part of my daily life. Profits
equal sales minus costs. The Cobb MicroEnterprise Center
(CMC) has taught me how to think and project business.
“Today I
am just a little more than moderately successful…I have come
a long way, but I still have a long way to go. We are a
home-based business in the early process of preparation to
move into commercial office space. Because of my affiliation
with CMC, I was able to obtain a small business loan that
enabled me to obtain commercial printing equipment. This has
been a major step forward for me.
“The
greatest thing of all about CMC is that they make
themselves, their knowledge, experience and resources
available to you for as long as you need them. I am a
graduate of Class no. 7 and a part of the alumni that meets
once every month. CMC is a continuing experience that I am
proud to be a part of.”
For more
information contact Patricia Harris at 770-499-3228 Or visit
their website at
www.cobbmicro.org
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