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2026 MAP Graduation
Palmetto Goodwill’s Microenterprise Accelerator Program (MAP) includes a hybrid small business development cohort that is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs build strong, sustainable businesses.
Join us as we celebrate the 2026 MAP graduates! If you’re planning to attend the graduation, we kindly ask that you complete this RSVP form.
- Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- 5:30 p.m.
- The Florence Center – 3300 W. Radio Dr., Florence, SC 29501)
- Les Echols – Director of Community and Minority Enterprise, Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce
About MAP
Palmetto Goodwill’s Microenterprise Accelerator Program (MAP) includes a hybrid small business development cohort that is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs build strong, sustainable businesses.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your existing business, MAP provides the tools, knowledge, and connections to help you succeed — at no cost to Palmetto Goodwill team members, their immediate family, and program participants.
Program Overview
- No-Cost Enrollment: Open to individuals with a business idea or an existing business.
- Expert-Led Courses: Learn from industry professionals and seasoned entrepreneurs.
- Interactive Curriculum, with topics including:
- Personal Budgeting & Credit
- Marketing & Pricing Strategies
- Cash Flow Management & Bookkeeping
- Business Financing & Legal Structure
- Intellectual Property & Insurance
- All reinforced through hands-on business simulations.
Our Speaker
About Les Echols
Les Echols is the Director of Community and Minority Enterprise for the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Along with developing and/or coordinating the Chamber’s leadership and diversity programs and seminars, Les is responsible for creating and facilitating efforts based on the needs and priorities of the small and minority business community. In his current role, he created the award-winning PRISM (Promoting the Inclusion of Small and Minority business) program to assist small and minority businesses for the Florence Chamber.
In 2017, the program earned the Excellence in Workplace Diversity Award from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.
Les serves on many boards in South Carolina, including 1890 Extension Pee Dee Advisory Board past Chairman, Board Chair of the Pee Dee Workforce Development Board, Founder and co-chair of MINGLE of the Pee Dee, Together SC Black Nonprofit Leaders Committee member, Diversity Works Initiative Board, iHeart Media Community Advisory committee, SC Highway Patrol Troop 5 Advisory Council, Florence YMCA Board of Directors, City of Florence Community Development Board, Member of SC Commission for Minority Affairs Small& Minority Business Committee, Florence-Darlington Technical College Business Advisory Committee
Les is a Graduate of the Riley Diversity Institute at Furman University. He is also the winner of the South Carolina Chamber 2013 Excellence in Community Diversity Award. In 2025, he was the recipient of the Carolina Champion award, an award that honors community leaders in the Carolinas who inspire positive action. Les conducts leadership, nonprofit development, and diversity training sessions.
Les is a graduate of Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC, and he lives in Florence, SC with his wife and two children.
Join us for Graduation!
If you’d like to join us for the 2026 MAP Graduation, please RSVP below.