Welcome to CARA

Central Alabama Redevelopment Alliance’s (CARA) mission is empowering your small business in Alabama with professional educational business development programs to increase economic development capacity for urban and rural communities, existing micro and small businesses, and community stakeholders by providing professional educational programs that create sustainability.

How CARA is Helping Small Businesses

At CARA, we understand that every small business has unique needs and challenges. That’s why we offer a variety of workshops, signature accelerator, & services designed to support your growth and help you reach your full potential.

Micro Business Accelerator Program

Our Micro Business Accelerator program is designed to provide small businesses with the resources and tools they need to grow and succeed.The Micro Business Accelerator Program provides entrepreneurs & business owners with practical business knowledge & tools.

The program consists of 4 courses in Accounting, Strategic Planning, Marketing, & Operational Management. Participating micro business owners have access to key resources providers for the duration of the program. In addition, accelerator participants will have access to bonus modules covering topics such as business legal structure, patenting, negotiating commercial leases, or becoming a qualified borrower.

Our comprehensive accelerator not only provides instructional guidance, but it also gives you access to our Productivity Tools for Entrepreneurs and Business Improvement Teams which provide one-on-one training and technical assistance in the covered course areas as well as technical training on applications such as QuickBooks, Google Docs, Microsoft Suite, and so much more. With access to our network of industry leaders, you’ll have the support you need to take your business to the next level.

Create a profile today to apply!

AL Small Business Resiliency Program

The Alabama Small Business Resiliency Center (AL SBRC) helps businesses plan and prepare through disaster and emergency preparedness training. We understand the challenges of facing a natural disaster or other unexpected crisis, and that’s why we offer resources and tools to help you protect your business and recover as quickly as possible. Our program includes disaster preparation and relief services, such as emergency planning, insurance guidance, and financial assistance. Thoughtful planning will give rise to resilient and thriving businesses that have maintained sustainability through the crises. CARA is a bridge to those resources and guides the pathway to resiliency.

“Being prepared now will save you time and resources in the future” – America SBDC

Create a profile today to start planning & preparing for your business’s future!

Business Support Functions

CARA offers Business Support Functions (BSF) to micro and small business owners who need access to affordable service providers in technology, compliance, HR, accounting, and marketing who provide quality products and services that small businesses need to create economic growth and improve sustainability. We offer business solutions, customized assistance, and strategies in Accounting/Bookkeeping, Communications, and Compliance designed to support and expand micro, and small businesses located in central Alabama.

Create a profile today to enroll in our services!

Join a Chamber of Commerce

A chamber of commerce is an organization of business owners and entrepreneurs who promote the interests of their local business community. Many business owners do not understand the value and benefits of becoming members of their local chamber of commerce. Chambers of commerce provide access to valuable resources, discounts, and relationships that help businesses save money and market their products. Joining a chamber of commerce can boost sales and significantly improve a local business visibility and credibility. At CARA, we encourage business owners to join a local chamber of commerce. CARA partners with Chambers of Commerce across the state of Alabama by bridging the gap to provide high quality services and technical support to small businesses and non- profit organizations. Our purpose is to accelerate and contribute to the growth of the community by strengthening local municipalities and business owners. Join a chamber today!

Success Stories

Celebrating our Impact: Success Stories

At CARA, our mission is to provide opportunities for individuals to achieve their goals and overcome barriers to success. We are proud to showcase the impact of our programs through the inspiring stories of those we serve. Browse our gallery of success stories to see how we are changing lives and strengthening communities.

Testimonials

Success Story of Small Business Owners

Here are some inspiring success stories of small businesses that have benefited from CARA’s support and resources. Read on to learn how CARA helped these businesses achieve their goals and grow:

CARA has bridged the gap to bring us resources that would be either challenging to obtain; or when we gain access to the resources, it could be too late. The resources that we receive as a small business through this organization are immeasurable, and the timing of their program is fundamental to our success in navigating this pandemic.

Smith & Associates Enterprise LLC.

Joseph Smith

The Central Alabama Redevelopment Alliance Business Accelerator Program has helped me and my business Delightful Cookies & Treats on so many levels, I can’t even begin to count--- but I will do my best! First of all, I was exposed to so much rich and powerful business information from highly credentialed instructors. Secondly, I had the pleasure of sharing space with some of the most creative individuals who were friendly, kind, and supportive. Thirdly, I made so many beautiful connections with awesome individuals who have become not just acquaintances, but lifelong friends. And finally, the leadership of this program is top-notch. These are individuals who support, coach, cheer, encourage, and most of all care about you, not just as a business owner, but you as a whole individual.

Delightful Cookies and Treats

Pamela A. Dobbins, CEO and Founder

"The CARA Accelerator program has helped to expand my business in many ways. The advice and instruction that I received from the mentors and instructors have truly helped me to operate my business more strategically and adopt practices that I will continue to use moving forward. To name a few, Mr. Paul Barber helped me to put a strategic plan together that has been helping me keep my business on track with things we need to accomplish and Lisa McKinney has helped me organize my accounting practices which used to be one of the top areas I was struggling in. All of the mentors have been a pleasure to work with and have taught me a lot of valuable information that was definitely needed!"

Profreshional Creations

Courtney Woods

The CARA accelerator program was right on time for me and my business. Every aspect of what it takes to be a successful business was covered by subject matter experts and it was truly hands-on. I learned a great deal and was able to start applying the knowledge to the core of my business. I highly recommend this accelerator program for any business owner looking to expand their business the right way.

Complete3 Tech Solutions

Chris White, Complete 3 Tech Solutions

Becoming a part of the CARA accelerator has helped me become a more effective leader. I have learned how to assess opportunities and quickly decide if they align with my organization’s mission or if they will be a distraction. Often we are not taught the nuances of managing our businesses in a way that allows for strategic growth- CARA helped me fill this gap AND gave me a space to have conversations with people who understood the challenges I faced. If you are a business owner and you need information and resources that will allow you to conquer the problems in your business that keep you up at night, there is no better place to start than this accelerator.

Bethel Ensley Action Task (BEAT)

Tara Dorsey, Executive Director

CARA has been a major resource to 3 Daughters Beauty Supply. The free training & knowledge has been more valuable to me than the knowledge I received during college. I was taught the importance of being ready to do business by having my business in order. Making sure the financials are in order to stay in business & be grant or loan ready. Also, providing Marketing Strategies to be able to compete & scale my business. Jeremy Duckworth & team are always available to answer any of my questions or help solve any issues, their availability & hands-on approach are what small businesses need to survive.

3 Daughters Beauty Supply

Sharon Hill, CEO and Founder

The CARA’s Western Micro Business Accelerator Program was timely for Refresh Clothing 2. The COVID-19 Pandemic drastically impacted our business, and we definitely may not have survived without the step-by-step guidance of this outstanding program. Through the WMBA, we were able to apply for and receive the EIDL and PPP loans. This program enabled us to become bankable and see a 30% increase in business. Being part of this accelerator program has been great for Refresh Clothes 2.

Refresh Clothing 2

Corey Bishop, Refresh Clothing 2

Since joining the program, My business has increased in profit. Being involved in this program has been a great learning curve for me & it has afforded me exposure in the community as well as taught me new marketing strategies, which ultimately caused an increase in customers. It is such a great program that teaches you a lot about marketing, finance, promoting, structure, advertising & how you can make a dream come true with your business. It has indeed increased my knowledge about growing a thriving & lucrative business. The accelerator program has been very helpful in allowing McLin Home Cakes to move forward to big & better things.

McLin Home Cakes

Stephanie McLin

CARA has been a blessing to me and my company. The classes and seminars aided me to be a better boss, entrepreneur, and person. The financial literacy component was elite in its ability to help me organize and maximize my business financially and structurally. This eventually bled over into my personal life and finances. What I really benefited from was the business students at UA. They helped me with my marketing plan. I was able to increase my clientele by 21% from this point last year. We still have five more months left. All of those attributes about the program were great, but the most outstanding and uplifting part, was that Jeremy Duckworth personally reached out to me to make sure that I was getting everything I needed for me and my company. WorldWare Consultant Services is grateful to have been a part of this cohort with CARA and look forward to future endeavors and opportunities

WorldWare Consultant Services

Reginald Ware, CEO & Founder

The Western Micro Business Accelerator is the first program that applies a real-life, hands-on concept in business growth, that is invaluable to our company. Everyone on the team is professional and possesses a high level of skill and expertise in key areas. As a small business, you can focus on the core of your business while learning skills that accelerate your business to the next level. This program is for business owners that are intentional and serious about wanting to grow.

Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co.

Tanesha Sims-Summers

Find My Chamber

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Connect with your local chamber of commerce for additional resources and support.

Small Business Owner

Empower Your Small Business In Alabama With CARA