And now, a clinic for ailing entrepreneurs!

A patient in need of treatment is bound to go to a clinic to see a doctor. What if there is an ailing business unit or a small pain point in a business process? Can an entrepreneur walk into an 'entrepreneur's clinic'? Well, in Pune at least they can.

Pune First, a group of small and medium entrepreneurs from Pune, has been meeting once every week for the last 15 years to discuss matters pertaining to their businesses. It is now all set to launch a clinic for small entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur's International, a non-profit trust, will help finance the clinic and the investment will be nominal, say the members, since at the moment it doesn't involve buying land or setting up an establishment.

"We put forth this idea to the board of trustees and they accepted it. The clinic will be operational within two months' time. Initially, we will make use of the space made available by some of our members, like their homes or offices, etc, and later, depending on the response and other things, some decision may be taken," says Girish Ranade, president of Entrepreneurs International.

How exactly will this 'clinic' work? "The concept is similar to a doctor's clinic. If an entrepreneur has any problem, query, questions or anything s/he would like to know, the clinic will help address it," says Rajendra Bam, an entrepreneur who is a member of the club.

A visitor will be charged a nominal fee and consultations will be by appointment. Ranade explains that the clinic will work on certain pre-decided days of the week for some hours, and "we will have a written understanding with the visitor about not disclosing his or her problems. The clinic will also leave no stone unturned to help the person in need."

There are three clubs under Entrepreneurs International: Pune First, with the other two operating in Pimpri and Baramati. Pune First arranges discussions, seminars, workshops, sessions designed to help members of the group, and visits to various business units.