Build a business as a family.
Family Enrichment
Business Empowerment Program
A 2-day family enrichment training to build the mindset, skills, and structure to start a business — together.
Presented by the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator at Binghamton University, in partnership with NENY and SUNY Broome.
May 23 - 24, 2026
Memorial Day Weekend
Up to $300 Stipend Included
10 Families Only
Up to $300 per family
Earn while you learn. $100 per family member · Maximum $300 per family · All members welcome
Limited spots Only 10 families accepted
BINGHAMTON RESIDENTS ONLY
Dates
Saturday, May 23
Sunday, May 24, 2026
All day — 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Location
120 Hawley St Binghamton, NY
Binghamton, NY
Who is this for?
Families residing in Binghamton, NY — especially low-income families and communities — who are ready to explore entrepreneurship together. No prior business experience needed.
Program Goals
Strengthen family communication and build a shared vision
Introduce the fundamentals of starting a business together
Identify business ideas aligned with your family's strengths
Build a simple, actionable business plan
Promote financial awareness, credit literacy, and family teamwork
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Graduation Certificate
Every family member
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Lunch Both Days
Provided at no cost
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Children's Activities
Child-friendly breakout sessions
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$300 Stipend
$100/member, max $300
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1-on-1 Financial Consulting
Personalized money guidance
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Follow-Up Coaching
Post-weekend sessions
Day 1 — Saturday, May 23
Vision, Mindset & Money
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Welcome & Icebreaker: "Our Family Strengths"
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Each member shares a skill or strength — building confidence and recognizing family assets
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Session 1 — Entrepreneurial Mindset for Families
9:30 – 10:30 AM
What is entrepreneurship? Growth mindset, overcoming fear and failure together
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Break
10:30 – 10:45
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Session 2 — The Stack Project: Money Matters
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Credit & credit scores, money management, raising capital, startup costs, pricing basics, profit vs. revenue. Includes 1-on-1 financial consulting. -
Lunch (provided)
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Consulting continues through lunch -
Session 3 — Choosing the Right Business Idea
1:00 – 2:30 PM
Feasibility check, simple market research, SWOT analysis. Each family selects ONE business idea.
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Break & snacks
2:30 – 2:45 PM
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Session 4 — Family Roles & Teamwork
2:45 – 4:00 PM
Assigning roles (leader, marketer, finance, operations), conflict resolution, communication. Create a Family Business Agreement.
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Reflection & Homework
4:00 – 4:30 PM
Observe competitors · Talk to 2 potential customers before Day 2
Day 2 — Sunday, May 24
Business Foundations, Planning & Launch Strategy
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Recap & Energizer
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Share homework insights, quick group discussion
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Session 5 — Business Planning Basics
9:30 – 10:45 AM
Value proposition, customer segments. Fill out a Simple Business Canvas.
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Break
10:45 – 11:00
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Session 6 — Discovering Family Business Ideas
11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Identifying problems to solve, turning hobbies into income, community needs assessment. Brainstorm 5–10 ideas per family.
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Lunch (Provided)
12:30 – 1:30 PM
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Session 7 — Marketing & Selling
1:30 – 2:45 PM
Identifying your customer, branding basics, social media and word-of-mouth. Create a business name, slogan, and simple flyer.
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Break
2:45 – 3:00 PM
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Session 8 — Action Plan & Mini Pitch
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Each family presents their idea, target customers, and first 3 steps. Peer feedback session.
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Graduation & Next Steps
4:00 – 4:30 PM
Certificates for every family member · Encouragement to keep going: weekly family business meetings, starting small with a pilot test
Instruction offered by Entrepreneur Assistance Center (EAC) Instructor
OFFERED BY / PARTNERS
You don't need a business degree.
You just need your family.
Built for Binghamton.
Reserve your family's spot
Ready to apply?
Spots fill fast.
We are excited to announce the Family Empowerment Series. It is a weekend long workshop for families and youth to learn more about starting a business, entrepreneurship and personal finance. This workshop is an entrepreneurship crash course for individuals who want to explore new ideas and test out designing their own products. We will learn more about being an entrepreneur in upstate New York. Parents and children are encouraged to attend together. The focus is teens and parents with an emphasis on personal finance and the steps involved in starting a family business. No experience is necessary. Those who complete the course may be eligible for up to $300 for participating. Applications are open on a rolling basis and up to 10 families will be accepted. Next cohort begins Saturday May 23 abd Sunday May 24, 2026 from 9am - 4:30. Participants must attend all sessions to be eligible for the stipend. All funding and disclosed amounts are subject to availability and are grant-based. Amounts are subject to change at the organization's discretion. No funding is guaranteed.