Area Job Creators Prepare for Next Level of Success

10,000 Small Businesses–Greater Philadelphia recently marked its second commencement and the one-year anniversary of the groundbreaking program’s launch.

Judith Gay, Ph.D., the College’s interim president; Nicole Pullen Ross, Mid-Atlantic region head of Goldman Sachs; Alan Greenberger, deputy mayor for Economic Development and director of Commerce; and Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter were among the dignitaries who attended the Jan.11 ceremony, where 27 business owners received program completion certificates.

“We’re really proud of this class,” said Nutter, who also met with the business owners before the ceremony. “We’re particularly excited about this program. We have a lot of focus on start-up businesses and entrepreneurs but this program answers ‘What are we doing to support those who have already survived the initial start-up phase and are trying to expand their businesses?’”

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses–Greater Philadelphia is a fully funded program that offers 14weeks of entrepreneurial instruction, one-on-one coaching and access to capital for eligible business owners from the region. The business owners in the second class represent a diverse mix of industries and professions, including urban planning, manufacturing, funeral rites, web development, education and retail. They come from cities and suburbs across the region and have two things in common—a proven track record and willingness to learn more.

Since its launch last year, 50 business owners from across the region have completed the program in Philadelphia. Applications for 10,000 Small Businesses are accepted on a rolling basis at Community College of Philadelphia, with Feb. 10, 2014, as the deadline to apply for the next cohort.

In his speech to fellow scholars, graduate Rich Goldberg, president of Safian & Rudolph Jewelers, noted how much the business owners had bonded during the course. “Each of us decided we were destined for something greater,” he said. “Not just because we believed it, but because we made others believe in us and our visions.”

In her closing remarks, Margaret Berger Bradley, the program’s executive director, told the entrepreneurs that their new skills and business acumen had prepared them for the next level of success. “This is not a graduation. This is your commencement,” she said.