Our vision is a society in which entrepreneurship is a viable path to socioeconomic mobility. Our mission is to help under-resourced entrepreneurs build businesses in underserved areas so owners can increase their personal financial security and stimulate economic activity in their communities.
Who We Serve
Most of our entrepreneurs are living in 2-person households making less than $30,000 a year.
Without equal access to critical resources, the businesses that we support, and the entrepreneurs behind those efforts, must work doubly hard to build better futures for themselves and their communities.
We provide a comprehensive suite of LEGAL, FINANCIAL, AND MARKETING SUPPORT designed to address the unique hurdles that prevent under-resourced entrepreneurs from growing wealth through their businesses.
We're unique
We’ve developed and refined a model for how to provide under-resourced entrepreneurs with comprehensive support designed to ensure their business success.
We connect entrepreneurs with volunteer lawyers, bankers and marketing professionals from elite firms. The caliber of support these professionals provide would be unthinkably expensive normally.
WE’RE THE ONLY ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTRY THAT USES THIS MODEL – AND IT WORKS.
GET INVOLVED
Start Small’s primary mission is to link low-income entrepreneurs to a pro-bono network of experts to address the challenging issues they face while growing their business.
There are numerous and varied opportunities, for both individual volunteers and entire companies, to join Start Small’s volunteer network and donate their vast legal, financial or marketing skills to help our low-income entrepreneurs grow wealth through their businesses.
Shop our businesses
There is a direct correlation between supporting your local small business and community and economic development. On average, almost half of every purchase at your local small business is recirculated locally (in the form of payroll, goods/services purchased from area businesses, profits spent locally by the owner, or donations to area charities), compared to less than 14 percent of purchases at chain stores. Take the time and spend the money to support local businesses with your presence and your dollars. You really do vote with your wallet. When you shop locally, you are casting your vote for your community.