Troy University’s Start Your Business program has been named one of the top 17 work-based learning programs in Alabama by the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship. 

The entrepreneurship-based initiative created by Juliana Bolivar, Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Troy University was selected for its replicable model, statewide impact, and innovative approach to bridging self-employment with workforce development.

Earlier this fall, the Start Your Business team presented the model during the 2024 South Alabama Work-Based Learning Best Practices Convening, where it was recognized as a leading example of how work-based learning can support underserved communities. Following the presentation, the program was invited to deliver a breakout session at the 2026 Statewide Summit on Talent Retention and Work-Based Learning, hosted by the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship.

Currently implemented statewide through a partnership with the Alabama Department of Human Resources, the program supports SNAP recipients participating in the A-RESET Program — a federally funded workforce development initiative that helps individuals on SNAP gain skills, training, and education that lead to employment. Participants interested in registering can contact the Troy University SBDC to begin the eligibility and referral process through their local DHR office.

But the impact doesn’t stop there.

The Start Your Business team presented the program not just as a course, but as a scalable, adaptable model ready for expansion into other populations and geographies. In addition to SNAP recipients, the model has already been piloted with caregivers, incarcerated women in Pike County, youth programs, and others — demonstrating its potential to address workforce challenges across diverse audiences.

“This isn’t a one-size-fits-all training,” Bolivar said. “This is a flexible, modular framework that agencies, cities, and workforce boards can adopt and implement. It’s already working across Alabama, and we’re building the partnerships to bring it to even more communities.”

The model stands out for its multi-layered approach. Participants receive foundational business training tailored for beginners, mentorship, practical assignments, and a certificate of completion co-signed by TROY’s Sorrell College of Business Dean and the SBDC Director. The program integrates current technology, including AI tools for business planning and marketing, ensuring the content remains relevant and empowering.

Unlike other national programs that follow a rigid curriculum, Start Your Business is deliberately built for adaptability— capable of being delivered in 5 to 20 sessions, online, hybrid, or in-person, and designed to meet clients exactly where they are.

“We’re proud that this program was born in South Alabama — not just to serve our community, but to set an example for how workforce development can include entrepreneurship,” said Bolivar. “We’re helping people gain the skills, tools, and confidence to create their own economic futures — and that’s a model worth scaling.”