Build and grow your small business
Helping you take your idea or business to the next level.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS:
Operation HOPE’s team of dedicated Small Business Coaches are here to help you identify and address the issues you may face in starting or growing your business and can assist you in developing a plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Our dedicated team of coaches can help entrepreneurs and new or existing small business owners identify their key needs and then provide the education, coaching and connections needed to improve their businesses.
By offering small business group education sessions, small group coaching, and individual/personalized coaching, we can help you master business basics, create and maintain a strong business plan, as well as gain access to funding and resources to grow your business.
Aspiring Small Business Owners:
If you dream of starting a business, but obstacles like lack of access to business loans, limited business knowledge or poor credit have hindered you, our small business coaches can help you get started.
Existing Business Owners:
As a small business owner, you face many challenges which can threaten your ongoing operations or hinder your ability to grow. Our Business Coaches can help you if you have limited business knowledge, financial records that are not where they need to be or don’t exist, challenges in attracting and retaining customers, competitive pressures, supply chain issues, technology limitations, and lack of access to business loans for improving your operations or growing your business.
Black Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners:
If you are a Black entrepreneur or existing small business owner, we have created a specialized business assistance program, 1MBB, which is designed to help you navigate the additional challenges facing Black business. Learn more about 1MBB here.
For all other entrepreneurs and small business owners, the small business development program works like this.
We sum up what we do with three words: Educate, Coach, Connect.
Educate.
Through group education session(s), a Small Business Coach teaches you the information you need to know to support your business or create a business from an idea.
Coach.
In a series of individual coaching sessions, a Small Business Coach will give you opportunities to practice what you learned in the group education session(s). The coach will follow a process of teaching you how to improve your business skills, guiding you through steps of your journey and then continuing to support you as you do it on your own. In addition to individual coaching sessions, we offer small group coaching sessions for people who want additional practice or to more deeply explore a specific topic. These sessions are about skill building on topics covered in group education and provide you with additional opportunities to gain in-depth knowledge in key areas.
Connect.
As you work with your Small Business Coach, there will be times you will need or want more or different resources, information, introduction to a bank or any number of connections to help outside of Operation HOPE. Your coach will connect you to what you need as a part of their relationship with you.
Start your small business journey today
Get the HOPE in Hand App
Gain access to a Small Business coach & start, grow, or scale your business.
Through the generosity of our partners all programs are provided free of charge.
How to Help
Learn how you can support the work of Operation HOPE:
Testimonials
Workshops for Small Business
Select an upcoming Small Business Intro Workshop for a program overview. When you want to get started with a coach, select an upcoming session of the multi-part Business Development Series.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Will I need to pay for this?
There is no cost to you for HOPE’s Small Business Development Program. All of HOPE’s services are free for clients thanks to the generous support of the partners and donors who share our commitment to helping individuals and small businesses gain the skills and resources they need to thrive.
How much commitment is required?
The most important element of the Small Business Development process is your openness to learn new skills and your willingness to commit the time and effort necessary to work with your coach, follow their advice, and diligently take the steps needed to reach your goals.
How long does the program last?
Our Small Business Program typically lasts between 8-12 weeks, depending on which program you choose. However the needs of each small business and business owner are unique, so the timing may vary to reach your goals.
How will I be paired with a coach?
You will be connected to a coach based on the availability of one close to where you live.
Will I meet with my coach in-person or virtually?
We make every effort to connect you with a coach you can meet in person, if you want that option. However, if a coach is not located in your city, we will pair you with one as close as we can. In some cases, there may not be a coach close enough for you to meet with in-person. All of our coaches are able to work with any client on a remote basis through video conferencing, phone and other communication methods.