Small Business Services at Start Small Think Big
SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES

We provide free legal, finance, and marketing resources and small business support to BIPOC entrepreneurs, women, LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs, immigrants, veterans, entrepreneurs with disabilities, low-income entrepreneurs, and formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs.


Let’s work together to achieve your dream of building a successful business for yourself, your family, and your community.

The #AllforSmall Community

Qualify for Legal, Finance and Marketing Advice

How To Get Free Small Business Support

Free Small Business Resources


Small Business Testimonials

Cassandre Davilmar
Hector Castillo Carvajal
Nancy Rosales
Lamont Bransford-Young
Fredrick Daniels
Edouard Massih
Tammeca Rochester
Katlyn Algeria
LaParis Phillips

Cassandre Davilmar

Lakou Cafe

Cassandre Davilmar opened Lakou Cafe to host local art shows, open mic nights, cultural conversation groups, and concerts for the community. But in March 2020 sales decreased and they had to close the doors due to COVID-19. Later that year, Cassandre received a one-time $5,000 grant to add to their PPP loan. Cassandre worked with Start Small Think Big’s finance program on projections, planning, and bookkeeping. Our legal and marketing programs assisted them with conducting business online, lease review and negotiation, entity selection, trademark, and digital marketing strategy. Ultimately, Cassandre saved their business and reopened Lakou, experiencing a 38% revenue increase.

Hector Castillo Carvajal

Don Carvajal Cafe

Hector Castillo Carvajal is serious about coffee, so they created Don Carvajal Cafe to share their enthusiasm for craft roasted coffee beans, carefully sourced from hardworking farmers in Latin America, with the world. But when the pandemic hit, farmer’s markets closed, and Hector’s sales dropped. Hector reached out to Start Small Think Big, received a one-time $5,000 grant, and worked closely with our finance program on projections and planning to become a sustainable business. After attending our marketing workshops, Hector started selling cold brew and making home deliveries, all while planning for the future. Currently, Hector plans to complement their e-commerce business with a new brick-and-mortar location in the Bronx.

Nancy Rosales

Pepitos Paletas

Longing for their family and Mexican culture, Nancy Rosales, created Pepitos Paletas— and began selling fresh homemade popsicles. While a freezer is usually required to deliver paletas without compromising the product quality, Nancy invented a unique freeze box that can store the paletas at the desired temperature for up to 8 hours. Due to COVID-19, business sales decreased and Nancy sought assistance in pivoting their business model. Nancy attended Start Small Think Big’s marketing workshops and developed a membership subscription plan which enabled the business to keep going.

Lamont Bransford-Young

Fingersnaps Media Arts

Learning the art of DJ mixing is a passion Lamont Bransford-Young transformed into a business when they launched Fingersnaps Media Arts in San Francisco, California. Lamont’s DJ school offers classes on skill and technique to all ages. When Lamont was searching for a studio, they reached out to Start Small Think Big for assistance. Our team conducted a business audit and helped organize Lamont’s finances, which enabled them to secure a new school and studio space.

Fredrick Daniels

Barcuts

Frederick Daniels’ Barcuts expanded from hair care and styling to becoming a one-stop-shop for grooming and professional portrait services. When the pandemic started, Frederick self-taught themself photo and video editing, partnered with Start Small Think Big’s finance program on businesses projections and planning, and attended many of our marketing workshops. With the new skills they learned, Frederick was able to increase income and plan for the future. Now Frederick is looking to expand their business to Washington, D.C., and California.

Edouard Massih

Edy’s Grocer

Born in Lebanon, Edouard Mannish brought their modern Mediterranean palette to the concrete jungle of Brooklyn when they launched their private chef and catering business. But like many small business owners, COVID-19 impacted Edouard’s business model, forcing them to close their catering company and open a storefront, Edy’s Grocer. During the transition, Start Small Think Big helped Edouard with bookkeeping and digital marketing for their new business. Edouard also was awarded a one-time $5,000 grant, which enabled them to hire more staff and increase business revenue by 66%.

Tammeca Rochester

Harlem Cycle Fitness Studio

Tammeca Rochester’s indoor cycling business Harlem Cycle saw revenue decreases of more than 50% after they were forced to close their studio’s doors in March 2020 due to the pandemic. Tammeca had to get creative and quickly pivot their business model online in order to stay afloat. Tammeca knew they needed financial and legal assistance to transition their business online. Start Small Think Big helped facilitate a one-time $5,000 grant to create digital classes, and our legal program provided them with contract assistance to ensure protection of their unique business model. Harlem Cycle was able to reopen its physical location while Tammeca continues to expand their virtual business and develop new revenue streams.

Katlyn Algeria

Hitched Company

When the pandemic forced the nation to shut down, events and in-person gatherings were halted. Katlyn Algeria had just launched Hitched Company, a unique bartending experience business—by March 2020 sales declined by more than 50%. If they didn’t make some changes, Katlyn’s business would close entirely within just a few months. Katlyn was down to their last, so they reached out to Start Small Think Big. They received a one-time $5,000 grant and our marketing program assisted with the creation of a marketing plan focused on promoting their outdoor events business. Katlyn also developed a product line of dehydrated cocktails to sell online. Over the next year, Hitched Company increased revenues over 440% from 2019.

LaParis Phillips

Brooklyn Blooms

Before connecting with Start Small Think Big, LaParis Phillips opened their Brooklyn Blooms floral boutique with a mission to serve their neighborhood with uniquely curated blooms while maintaining sustainable practices. Soon after opening their first location, LaParis had goals to scale their business and provide their beautiful flower arrangements to other surrounding communities. However, they felt frustrated and defeated because while they had the vision and passion to grow their business, they didn’t have all the business resources required to do so. During the pandemic, Brooklyn Blooms received a one-time $13,000 emergency relief grant. With our support, Brooklyn Blooms’ business revenue increased 150% from 2019 to 2020 and continues to evolve. LaParis and their team were able to open a second location, and they have plans to expand and spread their love of flowers worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about volunteering opportunities? Find the answers you need, and browse a list of frequently asked questions. You can always contact us if you need further assistance.

Once onboarded, you will have access to our services for 12 months, at which point you are more than welcome to reapply as many times as you continue to be eligible.

Unfortunately, we do not have the resources or expertise to assist with nonprofits, as it is a very distinct business model.

Unfortunately, Start Small Think Big's services aren't suitable for businesses that are in a pre-launch or idea phase, and/or have not generated multiple sales totaling at least $500 in sales within the past 3 months. You are more than welcome to apply for our services when you reach $500 in sales!

Yes! We welcome returning clients, as well as anyone whose situation may have changed and who may now be eligible for our services, to reapply.

Prospective clients are asked to upload personal + business documents which will be reviewed during the Service Assessment in order to confirm your baseline financial circumstances and finalize our eligibility determination.

  • Note: We will not disseminate this documentation or use it for any other purpose. All documents are deleted after the onboarding appointment is complete.
  • You are welcome to screen-share these documents or blackout personal information such as account number(s) or social security number(s).

We ask that you upload the following documents to our secure portal:

  • Proof of Annual Income: Personal tax return (if business filed taxes last year)
  • Proof of Assets: Screenshots or bank statements showing current month’s balances from all household checking, savings, and business bank accounts (if any)
  • Proof of Sales: records showing at least $500 in recurring sales in the last 3 months. The sales can be via Venmo, PayPal, Square, paper receipts, bank statements showing deposits, Shopify, etc.

Unfortunately, we do not provide our clients with direct funding. Start Small Think Big is NOT a grant, but we occasionally provide clients with sales opportunities internally, or with other partners/clients.

Take a look at the following Grants and Loan opportunities available to the public: SSTB External Loans + Grants Resource: https://www.startsmallthinkbig.org/resources/loan-grant

There’s no catch! So long as applicants meet our eligibility criteria, they are able to receive free volunteer services. We ask clients to opt in to receiving email reminders for appointments, newsletters, and follow-up surveys.

Unfortunately, we do not have a Certified Public Accountant on our Finance Team to provide clients with tax advice. It is advised to seek general guidance published from tax authorities if helpful. Our Finance Volunteers may help you set up or clean-up your bookkeeping system, which will likely form the basis of what you file. You can learn more about what we offer here: https://www.startsmallthinkbig.org/what-we-do.

Given that our services are provided primarily by volunteers, we are unable to promise a specific timeline for our services. Our services are not a good fit for anyone with urgent needs. We thank you for your patience while we work to set up our clients with our pro bono marketing, finance, and legal services.

While clients are waiting to be matched with a volunteer, we suggest taking a look at our events page for upcoming workshops and webinars hosted by industry experts!

At this time we are only able to offer legal services in NY and CA. You can receive Finance services in all 50 states and Marketing services will be available soon.

Unfortunately, our legal volunteers are unable to support clients with litigation, conflicts, or anything going to court. You can learn more about what we offer here: https://www.startsmallthinkbig.org/what-we-do.

We have a strong network of community partners that assist small businesses all over the country with a wide range of services. If you need help with something that we do not offer, please feel free to reach out to hello@startsmallthinkbig.org and we will share any resources we are aware of that may be helpful to you.

OUR SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE NEWS

Crème & Cocoa Creamery
Brooklyn Blooms
Lakou Cafe
IIIVVVYYY Ceramics
Milène Jardine Chocolatier
GDS Cloth Goods
Beija Flor Naturals
Harlem Cycle
Edy’s Grocer
Charros LLC
Wanda's Cooking
Mojo Desserts
Don Carvajal Cafe
Umoja Balloon Decor
The Pink Bakery