EASTHAMPTON — The Chamber of Greater Easthampton has begun accepting applications for its spring 2025 cohort of CO.STARTERS at WorkHub on Union entrepreneurial training program, made possible by a $50,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant as part of the continued economic-development partnership between the chamber and the city of Easthampton, with additional support from Common Capital.
CO.STARTERS is a 10-week, cohort-based program that equips entrepreneurs of all kinds with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn business ideas into action. The program will also provide a natural pathway for entrepreneurs to grow their business at the WorkHub on Union co-working space set to open in the summer of 2025.
Drawing from the experience of successful entrepreneurs and startup veterans from around the globe, CO.STARTERS at WorkHub on Union walks creative small-business owners through lean, effective business-modeling methods in a simple and intuitive way, while connecting them to a supportive community of peers and mentors. Participants are encouraged to build and test small models first, receive real-time customer feedback, update their models to meet customer needs, and avoid creating businesses based on incorrect assumptions, fueling a greater likelihood of success.
Once again facilitated by local business leader Cynthia West, former owner of Sonnet & Sparrow and the Flying Squirrel, entrepreneurs will be led through a comprehensive curriculum covering business fundamentals within the context of the local community and marketplace.
Guided by West, participants will learn how to identify key assumptions about why and how their businesses will work in real-world scenarios. This approach enables participants to rapidly uncover flaws in their concepts and quickly adjust their business and confidently and successfully bring their visions to life.
Upon completion, WorkHub on Union will provide these entrepreneurs with an affordable, flexible, low-risk professional workspace in the heart of Easthampton’s business, service, and retail districts, as well as direct access to the chamber and all the expertise it provides, such as relationship building, professional development, leadership education, entrepreneurial support, education, and technical assistance.
Aspiring entrepreneurs exploring a new idea, those close to starting up, and those in the early stages of a business that may need assistance to get to the next level are encouraged to consider the program. Applications for CO.STARTERS at WorkHub on Union will be accepted on a rolling basis through Feb. 18, 2025, with the program running Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning March 4, 2025.
The cost of the 10-week program is $3,500, but, thanks to the ARPA grant, participants will pay only $150. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit the chamber website at www.easthamptonchamber.org for more information and to apply.
