Our vision is a society in which entrepreneurship is a viable path to socioeconomic mobility. Our mission is to level the playing field by linking low-income entrepreneurs to critical services that support successful business development.
Who We Serve
Most of our clients are living in 2-person households making less than $35,000 a year.
The businesses that we support, and the entrepreneurs behind those efforts, are among society’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable. Start Small provides a comprehensive suite of legal, financial, and marketing support specifically designed to address the unique hurdles that often prevent low-income entrepreneurs from growing wealth through their businesses.
We're unique
We’ve developed and refined a model for how to provide low-income entrepreneurs with comprehensive support best designed to ensure their business success.
We connect our entrepreneurs with volunteer lawyers, bankers and marketing professionals from elite firms. And the caliber of support that these professionals provide would be unthinkably expensive normally. Last year alone, over 1,300 volunteers provided our low-income entrepreneurs with legal, financial and marketing support worth over $8 million dollars.
We’re the only organization in the country that uses this model – and it works. In the first year, our businesses see their revenues increase 50%, their profits jump 15%.
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.