We are excited that we have received an Emerging Leaders Award from the Small Business Administration! As much as we’d like to tell you it was a team effort, we can’t.
The truth is, our owner and CEO, Jacqueline Jones, has spent 7 months going to sessions for 3 hours every other week absorbing information, making connections, and gathering resources to make it happen.
The SBA Emerging Leaders Initiative is an “entrepreneurship education and training for executives of small, poised-for-growth companies that are potential job creators.” (SBA.gov) Since the program began in 2008, over 6500 jobs have been created through the more than 5000 small businesses that have completed the program.
During this program, Jacqueline got a chance to speak directly to a few of the program coordinators to ask a very important question. “What is your ultimate goal?” They answered, without hesitation, that this initiative is designed to give small business owners what they need to create jobs in their city, state, and region. They went on to explain that there are many small businesses in this country. However, scaling a business to provide opportunity and wealth around it is the goal.
It’s expected that businesses will increase revenue by a little more than 10% after it’s owner has completed the program. (This makes our team a little excited. Can you say BONUSES?) More than the money, the invaluable amount of connections to other small businesses, lending resources, business development programs, and opportunities is worth more than any small business could imagine.
So, aside from an award and resources, what do we walk away with? During this time, Jacqueline has created a 3-year strategic growth plan that we will follow to see an increase in size and revenue. As a team, we are excited about the plan and are already in motion. Since the beginning of the program, we have already gone from 2 team members to 5!
Congratulations are in order! This is our formal appreciation to our CEO for her hard work and dedication to growing our firm and continuing to provide jobs and opportunities to more talented people. Now, look out because we just turned the heat up ONE DEGREE higher!
Wondering if your business is ready to go through SBA Emerging Leaders Initiative? Find more information HERE.
