Small Business
When Small Businesses Grow, Local Communities Thrive.
Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. They create the majority of new jobs, drive local economic prosperity, and employ nearly half of all private-sector U.S. workers. At Georgetown Business for Impact, we’re committed to helping small businesses in low-income and under-resourced communities grow – from big urban cities to small rural towns. In partnership with corporate sponsors such as Bank of America, PNC and Unilever, we small small businesses with hands-on customized consulting services, advanced educational training, research, convening opportunities, and more.
Small Business Corps
When small businesses grow, local communities thrive.
Small Business Corps (SBC) mobilizes the skills, energy, and creativity of Georgetown business students to catalyze the growth and profitability of small businesses in local communities across the greater Washington D.C., region through project-based fellowships.
Powered by the generous support of Bank of America, PNC, Boston Consulting Group, the Georgetown University President’s Office the McDonough School of Business Dean’s Office, and multiple Georgetown alumni, the SBC helps local businesses thrive.
SBC Testimonials:
Tae-Gu Kimchi
“The student’s market research provided insights that we were able to apply to our farmers market operation, which allowed us to increase our revenue by 25% by the next week.” – Patrice Cunningham, owner of Tae-Gu Kimchi in Washington, D.C.
Eighty2degrees
“This project went very well. The student consultants were great to work with, very friendly and accommodating, and in the end, produced helpful recommendations and a comprehensive analysis of our business and what we need to do moving forward. All in all, we are grateful for the level of work and effort that went into helping our small business!”- Mike Englert, principal, Eighty2degrees
Studio Lyew
“I valued the opportunity to review and discuss the findings of the student consultants, which were crucial for our organization’s growth. I am now looking forward to implementing the recommendations of the students more effectively. I appreciated how the consultants shared their presentations multiple times before finalizing their recommendations, allowing for meaningful collaboration throughout the process.” – Rich Lyew, principal, Studio Lyew
Contact businessforimpact@georgetown.edu to learn more.
SheaMoisture Trailblazers
A Small Business Fellowship
Since 2021, SheaMoisture has sponsored the annual Trailblazers Fellowship program, designed specifically for small business owners. Business for Impact hosts cohorts of Trailblazers Fellows – CEOs of growth-stage businesses – for a week of intensive business education and fellowship at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business in Washington, D.C. This Unilever program supports small business owners with dedicated programming that fosters business growth, industry collaboration, peer networking, and more. Through 10 targeted workshops and connections with 50+ industry experts, Trailblazers empowers underrepresented voices, fosters inclusive leadership, and advances equity in business practices.
SheaMoisture honors the legacy of Sofi Tucker, a pioneering entrepreneur who sold Shea Butter, African Black Soap and homemade beauty preparations in Sierra Leone in 1912.
Learn more about SheaMoisture Trailblazers >
NYC Cohort ‘24
Caption: In September 2024, BFI hosted 20 Unilever SheaMoisture Trailblazers – CEOs of growing businesses from New York City – for a week of fellowship and intensive business education at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.
Program Goals and Objectives
- Advance the business knowledge and capabilities of Trailblazers.
- Create and deliver a custom program that prepares CPG business owners to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and implement solutions that position their companies for accelerated growth.
- Focus course topics on finance, strategy, marketing, management, employee growth, and retention, organizational growth, and scale.
- Provide a premier Georgetown McDonough business education experience.
Small Business Accelerators
Business for Impact supports small businesses in low-income communities across the United States through a range of programs, including Small Business Corps in Washington, D.C. and in partnership with Unilever’s SheaMoisture Traiblazers Fellowship program for entrepreneurs from New York, Chicago and other cities. We can partner with your company or organization to create customized accelerator programs that can advance growing small businesses in your field or industry. To learn more, contact businessforimpact@georgetown.edu
Research & Convenings
Business for Impact partners with corporations, nonprofits and government agencies including USDA to expand knowledge and drive greater investment in small business. Business for Impact leverages the expertise of Georgetown McDonough’s globally-renowned business faculty and the university’s location in Washington, D.C., to advance small business thinking and practice.
- Government Funds for Greater Local Impact: Strengthening How Cities Partner with Nonprofits and Small Businesses so Communities Thrive. Business for Impact report sponsored by JPMorganChase (forthcoming 2025)
- Jobs for All: Employment Social Enterprise and Economic Mobility in the United States (2021) Business for Impact report sponsored by Bank of America
- Don’t Fear the Venture Capitalist: What Outside Investment Can Bring to Rural America (2019) Investing in Rural America article in Progressive Farmer
- Impact Investing Fellows Program: Established at Georgetown by Adjunct Professor of Sustainable Finance and former USDA Senior Advisor Matt McKenna, BFI’s Impact Investing Fellows program provides select cohorts of business students with a weekly speaker series and hands-on experiential learning opportunities in sustainable investing.
Learn more about these and other Student Impact programs offered.