The New World Enterprises peer group is made up of three such women—Simone Calvin, Janetta Cox and Muriel Muhammed—who are determined to win in business and succeed in life. In pursuit of their dreams of running their own businesses, they took their individual talents and sought the advice of experienced business owners to guide them toward the path of success. Each of the women eventually landed amidst a unique and innovative business training and peer group program called Community Capital Works, managed by the Philadelphia Development Partnership. At an open house meeting, Simone, Janetta and Muriel listened intently to the program presentation, liked what they heard, enrolled in a business skills training course and, later, joined a peer group.

When they graduated from the training course, Simone and Janetta joined one peer group and Muriel joined another. While participating in their respective peer groups, these businesswomen saw, first-hand, the benefits of exchanging support, business advice and new contacts from the other business owners in their groups. They realized that, with a group of motivated and dedicated business people, they could be part of a winning team that would propel their businesses forward. From their first peer group experience, they learned how important it was to have people in the group who are dedicated to their businesses and strongly committed to their groups. Each knew that, to win in business, they needed to surround themselves with people that possessed a similar desire to succeed.

When their first peer groups disbanded, the women immediately sought out other people that wanted to be part of a winning team, were dedicated to their businesses and had the discipline, determination and commitment to make their peer group a valuable business support system. These three women found each other and formed New World Enterprises. They were inspired and took their new peer group very seriously, dedicating themselves to becoming better business owners by studying, listening, and learning. They utilized loans and seed grants to build their businesses and crafted business strategies that they are currently carrying out.

Their successes are real. Since joining the peer group, Simone has moved her home-based art print business to a retail storefront and has plans to expand into picture framing; Janetta launched a natural products and aromatherapy business, taking out a loan to purchase her initial inventory; and, Muriel's catering business has increased its number of clients, hired several employees and received state certification to run a commercial kitchen. According to Simone, "We encourage each other as small business people." That's what it takes for a winning team.