In a 13-minute in-depth interview with Authority Magazine, TAP CEO and Co-Founder Jane Veron shares the principles, personal journey, and real client stories behind building a nonprofit that creates lasting economic impact for under-resourced small business owners.

The interview is part of Authority Magazine's "How To Create Philanthropy That Leaves a Lasting Legacy" series — and Jane's perspective is direct, practical, and deeply connected to TAP's daily work on Main Street.

Jane's Journey to TAP

Jane's path to founding TAP began when she stepped back from her corporate career after her family relocated from New York City to Westchester. That chapter opened the door to civic leadership — serving as President of the Scarsdale League of Women Voters, chairing the Planning Board, and eventually serving as Deputy Mayor and then Mayor of Scarsdale from 2021 to 2023.

TAP was co-founded in 2012 alongside that public service work — starting as a volunteer effort before hiring its first employee in 2017. Jane describes those parallel paths as deeply connected: her work with small business owners made her a more effective public servant, and her civic experience made TAP stronger.

What Jane Learned Building TAP

One of Jane's most important discoveries in building TAP is that capital alone does not drive sustainable small business growth. Many entrepreneurs secure funding but struggle to use it wisely — overextending on inventory, hiring before systems are in place, or failing to adapt to shifting economic conditions like tariff uncertainty or interest rate changes.

This insight shaped TAP's entire model: deep, advisory support that builds financial readiness, operational discipline, and long-term confidence — not just one-time access to money.

TAP's results reflect this approach. Every $1 invested in TAP generates $10 in economic impact — a figure validated by The Bridgespan Group through rigorous analysis of client revenue growth, job creation, and local economic recirculation. TAP has delivered more than 11,900 customized engagements and 68,400 hours of donated expertise, with a 92% business survival rate post-engagement.

5 Things Needed to Build a Nonprofit That Lasts

Jane shares five principles that have guided TAP's growth from a local volunteer effort into a national organization:

Treat a nonprofit like a real business from day one. A nonprofit is a tax status — not a substitute for discipline. TAP operated with rigor from the beginning, tracking outcomes, building systems, and planning for scale even before it had paid staff. Jane put Salesforce in place early, when people thought TAP was too small for it. That discipline paid off.

Dream bigger than your current size. From the start, Jane believed TAP could become national. That vision required breaking ambitious goals into practical steps and giving volunteers meaningful ownership of the work. Big vision creates the momentum that small thinking cannot.

Stay financially disciplined and mission-led. Diversified funding, careful planning, and a small committed team helped TAP stay clear on its purpose even as the funding landscape shifted. Letting funding alone dictate priorities risks drifting away from the reason the organization exists.

Make value visible. After a decade of strong service delivery, TAP realized it hadn't invested enough in telling its story. Once communication and marketing became a priority, new funders, partners, and clients found TAP more easily. Visibility is not just about growth — it's about earning influence and a seat at the table.

Let data sharpen instinct. Strong leaders respect both gut instinct and evidence. TAP helped clients like It's Nola shift toward higher-return channels like corporate gifting by grounding decisions in cash flow analysis and customer retention data. Data moves leaders from reactive to strategic.

Real Client Stories from the Interview

Jane shares the story of TAP's Small Business Owner of the Year — a nurse practitioner and founder of a medical aesthetics and wellness practice in New Rochelle who was forced to relocate after receiving a 30-day notice that her building was slated for redevelopment. Through TAP's multi-month intensive consulting program, she achieved 40% year-over-year sales growth, reached 80-82% appointment capacity, launched paid campaigns reaching 34,000+ people in 30 days, and built loyalty through bundled packages.

Jane also describes how TAP helped Solo Scoop Creamery reframe its brand around premium cultural experiences, develop stronger visual identity, and pursue higher-value opportunities — moving from a low-margin model to sustainable revenue growth with major brand activations.

How to Get Involved

Jane shares three ways anyone can support under-resourced small business owners:

• Shop local — every purchase at a small business creates jobs, strengthens local economies, and opens pathways for the next generation.
  

• Share your expertise — TAP offers employee engagement opportunities connecting professionals with small business owners for meaningful 1:1 coaching.
  

• Donate — recurring donations to organizations like TAP fund free expert consulting for entrepreneurs who need it most.
  

Read the full Authority Magazine interview here.

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