Entrepreneur Empowerment Program
Our Entrepreneur Empowerment Program equips aspiring business owners with the financial knowledge and resources they need to thrive. Join us in breaking down barriers and building a brighter future for entrepreneurs of color.
Applications for our 2026/27 program open in February 2026. Please click below to join our mailing list so you can be notified with further details.
The Entrepreneur Empowerment Program
Our flagship Entrepreneur Empowerment Program starts in June annually and works with over 100 early-stage small business owners annually. It is the largest and most comprehensive mentorship and training small business incubator in Louisiana. Over 90% of these business owners are women of color. The program tackles the barriers that business owners of color experience accessing the capital critical to strengthening and expanding their businesses.
We currently focus our program on businesses based in Metro New Orleans, but all Louisiana based businesses can apply. We prioritize businesses owned by Black women from low and moderate-income households. Typically, we work with businesses with revenues that are less than $100,000 and beyond the idea stage.
Each entrepreneur has access to the same resources over 12 months at zero cost.
Financial wellness is essential for entrepreneurs to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. Our program equips participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed financial decisions. By focusing on education and access to resources, we help break down barriers to success.
Virtual Business Training
32 hours of virtual training in Family Finances, Business Finance and Operations, Emotions around your Finances and Business Marketing.
Dedicated Professional Mentor
A dedicated professional mentor that you meet with virtually each month.
Dedicated Financial Planner
Each entrepreneur receives personalized guidance from a Certified Financial Planner who helps create strategies for both personal and business financial success.
Support Services Access
Access to a range of professional business support services including business planning, marketing, legal, bookkeeping, operations, HR and more.
Interest-Free Loans
Each entrepreneur receives access to interest-free loans with no fees of up to $2,000.
Cash Stipends
Cash Stipends for childcare and other business support service
Personal & Business Growth
Our entrepreneurs achieve meaningful milestones through comprehensive financial education and dedicated support. By focusing on both personal and business fundamentals, participants build strong foundations for sustainable growth.
- Average credit scores increased by over 30 points
- All businesses obtained full registrations with IRS and Secretary of State
- All owners separated personal and business finances
- All business owners are producing accurate financial statements
- All business owners connected with a financial planner
- Over 400 professional connections are established on each program
Financial Outcomes
Through strategic support and mentorship, our entrepreneurs successfully secured funding across grants, loans, and financing—creating new opportunities for business expansion and growth.
- $300,000 in Loans Secured
- $200,000 in Grants Secured
- $30,000 in Vehicle Financing Secured
- $30,000 in Personal Loans Secured
- $40,000 in Microloans Secured
Financial health lays the foundation for a stable and secure community.
Black women start businesses at higher rates than any other demographic in the U.S., yet only 3% lead mature businesses, primarily due to limited access to capital (Harvard Business Review, 2021).
In New Orleans, where Black female entrepreneurship exceeds the national average, over 80% of these businesses fail within 18 months, often due to a lack of personal savings or generational wealth. Financial health is crucial for community stability, yet in New Orleans, more than 50% of households have delinquent debt, and 65% are financially insecure (Urban Institute, 2021).
These challenges hinder asset building and generational wealth, disproportionately affecting households of color. Flyte addresses these barriers by equipping Black women entrepreneurs with resources, skills, and mentorship, empowering them to launch and sustain thriving businesses.
Learning Partners
