How Free Workshops are Helping Upper Manhattan Small Business Owners Plan for Growth
Inside a new partnership with the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (UMEZ)
Need to Know
Free expert help in Upper Manhattan: The Acceleration Project (TAP) has partnered with the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (UMEZ) to deliver no-cost workshops to a first cohort of four local small business owners.
The two opening sessions covered financial forecasting and customer strategy, and 100% of attendees reported top satisfaction, a stronger grasp of the material, and that they are extremely likely to recommend TAP.
The cohort has moved into free 1:1 consulting,
Through a new partnership with the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (UMEZ), TAP is offered free workshops and 1:1 consulting to help Upper Manhattan small business owners forecast their finances, attract and keep customers, and plan for sustainable growth. The program opened with two workshops for a cohort of four local entrepreneurs, and the early response was strong.
TAP is a nonprofit that pairs under-resourced small business owners with skilled volunteer consultants for free, 1:1 support, with the goal of helping them strengthen their businesses, create jobs, and build wealth in their communities. The UMEZ partnership extended that work into Upper Manhattan, meeting owners where they are and giving them practical tools they can put to use right away.
A New Partnership to Strengthen Upper Manhattan Small Businesses
UMEZ is a nonprofit community development financing entity that provides flexible capital solutions to strengthen under-resourced communities in Upper Manhattan and beyond, facilitating job creation, corporate alliances, strategic investments, and small business assistance. By the close of 2024, UMEZ had provided nearly $259 million in total investments across the communities it serves. TAP's model of free, hands-on consulting fit naturally with that work, adding deep 1:1 expertise to the capital and programs UMEZ already delivers. Together, the two organizations built a workshop series that moves from financial fundamentals to customer growth, followed by 1:1 consulting so each owner can apply what they learn directly to their own business.
"UMEZ has always been committed to providing flexible capital and resources to Upper Manhattan's small business community, but we recognized a gap in technical assistance for our more established businesses. Owners who are ready to scale need specialized support to get there. When I connected with TAP at the NYS CDFI Coalition Conference, it was clear they had both the expertise and the capacity to deliver exactly what our businesses needed. We're excited about what this partnership can grow into and what it means for the entrepreneurs we serve."
— Joel Abreu, UMEZ
Customer Acquisition and Retention Strategies for Sustainable Growth
The first session, led by TAP consultant Debi, turned to customer acquisition and retention strategies for sustainable growth, digging into how to find the right customers and keep them coming back. The material struck a chord, and the cohort is eager to keep working with Debi 1:1.
One owner explained why the topic resonated:
"This is an opener for any business operator. It gives us a fresh perspective on the main business of the business, the customer."
Preparing Financial Projections and Forecasting for Growth
The second session, led by TAP consultant Alyssa, focused on preparing projections and forecasting for growth. It walked owners through the numbers behind planning ahead: revenue projections, costs, and the assumptions that drive them. TAP consultant Mike joined the workshop and shared his expertise during the Q&A, helping owners connect the concepts to their day-to-day decisions.
For several owners, the session surfaced parts of their finances they had not fully considered before. One participant captured the shift in confidence:
"This was just the right workshop for me — it was truly helpful and gave me a great sense of hope and relief that my challenges are not unique and most importantly have a solution."
"What struck us most about this cohort was how ready these owners were to dig in. They came with real questions and left with real plans to make meaningful improvements to their business. This partnership with UMEZ is letting us work with businesses primed to grow, and two of the four owners have already asked to participate in TAP’s Deep Dive program, which pairs one small business owner with two TAP consultants."
— Natalie Rawlinson, Senior Director of Service Delivery, The Acceleration Project
Workshop Feedback: High Satisfaction Among Upper Manhattan Small Business Owners
Feedback from the opening sessions was unanimous. All five attendees reported satisfaction with the experience — 89% at the highest level — and every one said they came away with a better understanding of the topic. 100% reported being extremely likely to recommend TAP to a friend or colleague. UMEZ called it a successful first day, an encouraging start to a brand-new partnership, and a sign of what is ahead as owners move into 1:1 work.
How to Get Free Small Business Consulting from TAP
TAP offers free, 1:1 consulting to under-resourced small business owners who are ready to grow. If you run a small business and want help with financial forecasting, customer strategy, marketing, operations, or planning for what comes next, you can apply here for TAP services.
A New Partnership Helps Upper Manhattan Small Business Owners Plan for Growth
TAP and UMEZ launched free workshops helping Upper Manhattan small business owners with financial forecasting and customer retention strategies for growth. 08/27/26
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