Created: 6/4/2007 6:47:27 PM 
Greensboro, NC - Too many of the Triad's small businesses are failing in the first year. But the North Carolina Bar Association's new program, "N.C. LEAP" hopes to turn those numbers around.
N.C. LEAP offers free legal advice and audits to low-income small business owners. The program kicked off at the Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship Monday.
N.C. LEAPS team of volunteer lawyers helps owners manage their money and get over the stumbling blocks that often cause businesses to fall short.
It's giving small business owner Fabio Camera the tools to run his business. Camera started his photography studio in
Greensboro right after college. He is passionate about his photography but doesn't have the business know-how to run it and keep it going.
The lawyers handled everything from contracts and insurance at little cost to Fabio. "A
rtists don't always make great business men," said Camera. "Those that are able to juggle both of them, we do well," he said. "That's why there are a lot of starving artists. They do great work but it's pretty difficult to know what to do as a business," added Camera.N.C. LEAP is designed to help low-income entrepreneurs only. Individuals must make less than 80 percent of the state median income and have less than $8,000 in savings. The program is open to new or existing businesses. Services are also on a first come, first serve basis.
For more information or to set up an appointment, call 1-800-662-7407. WFMY News 2
