The ATHENAPowerLink® program has been helping women-owned businesses since 1999 expand profitably by connecting them with a panel of professional mentors.
How it works • The purpose of APL is to help a woman grow her business and take it to the next level. • APL matches a woman- or women-owned business with a team of volunteer advisors for a year of mentoring. The selected business pays a one-time fee of $250 for the year-long program. • The Advisory Panel of experts analyze the factors necessary for the business to grow and recommend actions to get it there. • Typically, at the end of the year of mentoring, the woman’s business shows growth of more than 50% in revenues, client base, and staffing over the previous year.
Who qualifies • At least 51% owned and actively managed by one or more women • Minimum of two years in operation • Minimum of two full-time employees (one may be the owner) • Revenues of at least $250,000 for retail or manufacturing business, at least $100,000 for service business • Operates in the Nashville-Middle Tennessee area
What the business owner must have • Clearly defined company objectives and goals • Up-to-date business plan • Vision for how APL will help • Ability to read and understand financial reports of the business • Willingness to share information about the business (including permission to request a credit report) and to take advice from outsiders • Ability and willingness to participate in interviews and site visits
What business plan must include • Management team • Goals • Strengths and weaknesses • Areas of concern • Chief competitors (include strengths and weaknesses) • Personal strengths owner brings to the business • Opportunities available to business • Goals for the Advisory Panel
How to apply • Click here to download application • Complete all information requested • Submit six (6) copies of completed application and business plan to: CABLE, P.O. Box 23148, Nashville TN 37202-3148, postmarked by September 9, 2009. • No application fee is required, thanks to the generous underwriting of local partner First Tennessee Bank
