Neighbor News
Hispanic Entrepreneurship Program Expands, Rebrands
Program Now Escala, Small Business Program of NVFS
NVFS’ Hispanic Entrepreneurship Program is changing its name to Escala, the Small Business Program of NVFS, and also has recently expanded its services to better serve a growing client base in Prince William County.
Several factors contributed to the new name. In a study completed by the program last year, NVFS staff discovered that only 25% of clients, partners and volunteers could correctly identify the previous name of the program. In addition, the lengthy program name and ambiguous meaning was further compounded by translation into Spanish.
Escala’s translation means “to climb,” “to scale up” or “ladder.” The new name better communicates the program mission to support launching and growing sustainable businesses that increase household incomes, create jobs and contribute to the local economy. “With the Program’s expansion into Prince William County and plans to grow our services, it was definitely the moment to embrace a new name,” said Adrienne Kay, Escala program manager. “I advise our clients to choose short, memorable, meaningful names for their businesses, and I knew that we should do the same for the program title.”
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Escala’s services include:
• One-on-one business consulting
• A four-week basic start-up course
• A ten-week business plan course, NxLevel
• Crowdfunding campaigns to invest in small business plans
• An annual business plan competition
• Additional workshops and events
Escala is housed at NVFS’ Multicultural Center, 6400 Arlington Boulevard in Falls Church. Classes and consulting services are currently offered at this location. For more information, please contact Adrienne Kay, Escala program manager, at (571) 748-2892.
Find out what's happening in Falls Churchfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Northern Virginia Family Service is the largest private, nonprofit human service organization in Northern Virginia. NVFS helps nearly 34,000 individuals and their families each year find housing and emergency services; health and mental health services; early childhood education and child placement services; intervention and prevention programs; job training; and legal services. Throughout its history, NVFS has been recognized as an innovator of efficient and comprehensive service methods, while effectively creating sustained financial and social independence for its clients. 2014 marked the 90th anniversary of NVFS.
