ABOUT US

The Workshop in Business Opportunities (WIBO) began in 1966 in response to the absence of economic power in the African-American community. The founders, a Midtown marketing consultant and a Harlem attorney, felt that economic, political and social equality could be achieved most quickly and effectively by training and assisting minorities to build growing prosperous businesses.

WIBO's first sixteen-week workshop, How to Build a Growing Profitable Business, opened in Harlem on March 5, 1966. Fifteen students enrolled, fourteen graduated and eleven either started businesses or expanded existing businesses. Word of WIBO's success quickly spread and within five years, WIBO workshops were being conducted in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, New Jersey and Westchester.

WIBO's mission is to enable small business owners and budding entrepreneurs from underserved communities to obtain financial success by starting, operating, and building successful businesses that develop economic power, provide jobs and improve communities.

  Since 1966, WIBO has developed over 15,000 entrepreneurs resulting in the creation of close to 32,000 jobs.

Over 54% of WIBO graduates are in business after 5 years, compared to the national average of 20%.

Sixty-five percent of clients have household incomes below $50,000 and 43% have incomes below $30,000.

The 16-week workshop and consulting services are equivalent to a mini MBA program. Due to private support, the cost for the workshop including materials is $249 with further discounts for individuals with incomes under $50,000. The market value of the workshop is $4000.

Impact:

Economic Development:

Serving The Under-Served: