Business Resources

ECHO Collective – The Refinery

ECHO Collective empowers communities through her opportunities. Our flagship program, The Refinery, provides refugee and immigrant women the opportunity to achieve independence and social capital through business education and mentorships.

About

ECHO Collective was founded in 2020 in Lincoln, Nebraska. We connect and empower refugee and immigrant women by providing opportunities for personal growth and building cross-cultural relationships in a nurturing environment. Our flagship program, The Refinery, graduated its first cohort in December 2020. The Refinery provides refugee and immigrant women the opportunity to achieve economic independence and social capital through business education and professional mentorships. Our classes meet in-person three times a week for 2.5 hours, and the mentors invest at least 6 hours of one-on-one coaching after the entrepreneurs have covered business basics in class. The Refinery recognizes the value of social networking and community involvement, and our curriculum is supported by presentations of at least 30+ local professionals over the course of the cohort, in addition to partnerships with numerous local organizations. We use a proprietary business curriculum developed by our Founder, Kelly Ross. This curriculum is not static; we evolve and strengthen with each cohort of entrepreneurs.

Services Provided

Public Policy and Government Relations

  • Women’s Business Issues

Business Planning

  • Forming a Business (Specialty)
  • Market Plan Development (Specialty)
  • Market Research (Specialty)
  • Business Plan Consulting, Development and Review (Specialty)

Management Issues

  • Professional / Leadership Development (Specialty)

Financial Resources and Assistance

  • Tax Credits
  • Bookkeeping/Accounting Software Training
  • Budget, Financial Statement and Cash Flow Training (Specialty)

Legal Services

  • Forming a Business

Marketing/Sales

  • Website Development
  • Market Plan Development and Training (Specialty)
  • Market Research (Specialty)
  • Student Marketing Projects
  • Advertising/Brochure Design (Specialty)
  • Competitive Analysis (Specialty)
  • E-Commerce/Internet Marketing (Specialty)

Networking Organizations

  • Demographically Based (Specialty)
  • Geographically Based (Specialty)
  • Small Business/General (Specialty)

Office, Incubator, Accelerator, Laboratory, Kitchen and Meeting Space

  • Conference/Meeting and Event Space
  • Accelerators (Specialty)
  • Maker Space

Regulatory Compliance

  • Government Requirements
  • Registration, licenses and permits

Tax Services

  • Tax Credits
  • Tax Registration

Training

  • Business Management Training
  • Home-Based Business Training (Specialty)
  • Marketing Plan Development and Training
  • Startup Classes (Specialty)
  • Business Plan Training and Assistance (Specialty)
  • Budget, Financial Statements and Cash Flow Training

Product Development

  • Product Design and Development
  • Product Assembly and Packaging

Internship Programs and Student Services

  • Internship Program
  • Student Research Projects
  • Student Marketing Projects

Starting a Business

  • Business Research Resources
  • Registration, Licenses and Permits
  • Forming a Business (Specialty)
  • Startup Business Counseling (Specialty)
  • Startup Classes (Specialty)
  • Home-Based Business Training (Specialty)

Mentoring/Coaching/Counseling/Consulting

  • One-on-One Counseling (Specialty)
  • Peer Mentoring
  • Formal Mentoring Programs (Specialty)
  • Coaching (Specialty)
Contact Information
Kelly Ross
Address
2124 Y St
Suite 131
Lincoln, NE 68503