Interise Announces New Partner For Small Business Development Curriculum Proven To Create Jobs

Online, September 21, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Interise announced today that it is expanding their licensing program with the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence to bring their award winning StreetWise Steps to Small Business Growth™ curriculum to up to 20 small business owners in the Pittsburgh area. The curriculum is used in small business executive education initiatives nationwide.

The Institute's Urban Power to Prosper program will bring a nine-month executive management program to the city's minority and women-owned businesses. The first class kicks off in October at the Regional Enterprise Tower in Pittsburgh. Interise launched the licensing model in 2010 with New York City's Department of Small Business Services to scale its mission impact of creating jobs and generating wealth more efficiently in low to moderate-income communities.

"We are extremely pleased to continue expanding our mission impact of job creation and wealth generation to a second licensee," said Interise CEO Jean Horstman. "We couldn't be happier to bring our work to Pittsburgh, a city that is so committed to the growth and success of small businesses. We look forward to working with the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence and contributing to the innovative spirit of the city."

"Interise has been extremely helpful guiding us through this process and we are thrilled to be able to bring this curriculum that has proven it's ability to create jobs to Pittsburgh," said Christine Kush, Associate Director of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence.

The StreetWise Steps™ curriculum was developed after an imbalance was identified in the amount of resources dedicated to supporting existing small businesses, those most likely to grow and create jobs, as opposed to aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups. The curriculum uses a facilitative and peer-based learning approach. Each participant uses his or her own business as a case study, allowing them to work on the business instead of in it. In addition to gaining new knowledge and know-how, participants also create valuable connections with other business owners and experts. Working through similar business challenges with their peers removes that feeling of isolation and provides access to the resources, relationships, and structure needed to successfully scale their business. At the end of the training, each participant emerges with a three-year Strategic Growth Action Plan that acts as a roadmap for sustained growth.

"For the first time in the life of my company, I have a real plan. Not the slapped-together guesswork plan I usually come up with, either. Through coursework, peer-to-peer interactions, and access to business experts, the program helped me build a strategic growth plan that I know I can execute.

Before the program, I could barely identify a proper goal much less achieve one. The class was absolutely invaluable in setting me on the right track; I now use the techniques literally every day and already see the results on my balance sheet," said Jeff Kubiatowicz, President of Bridaluxe, of his experience.

The Interise approach is proven to foster small business growth and job creation. Between 2004 and 2009, 451 entrepreneurs completed the program with staggering results. Fifty-nine percent of participants hired new employees, accounting for 731 new jobs. Forty-seven percent of the businesses increased their revenues by an average of sixty percent. As a group they have secured over $10 million in new financing, and over $121 million in government contracts. In 2009, Interise businesses created an average of 3 new jobs per business at a time when ADP reported the average small business lost 5 jobs.

For more information on licensing the StreetWise Steps™ curriculum, please contact Alison Berglund at 617-350-6333 or e-mail [email protected].