How Donor Support Creates Opportunity for Underserved Entrepreneurs
Providing Access to Expertise and Resources
Breaking Down Barriers
Driving Community Impact The ripple effect of donor contributions extends far beyond individual businesses. When small businesses thrive, they create jobs, support local economies, and contribute to the vibrancy of their communities. TAP’s work, made possible by donors, strengthens Main Street and ensures that underserved communities have the resources they need to prosper. Celebrating Donor Impact
Want to see the impact of your contributions in action? Check out TAP’s Client Success Stories playlist on YouTube to hear stories from small business owners whose lives have been transformed by donor support. These testimonials showcase the power of collective action and the profound difference donors make every day. Join the Movement
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TAP attracts volunteer consultants from diverse industries, including finance, marketing, operations, and technology. This diversity fosters a collaborative environment where professionals learn from one another, share best practices, and expand their networks. "Consultants are grouped into cohorts so you are working in a very supportive and collaborative environment, there is always help and access to topic specific experts. When working with a client and I need a resource, there is always a teammate or digital solution available to help", shares TAP Consultant Anita Borkenstein. For many TAP consultants, the experience of helping small business owners navigate challenges is deeply rewarding. It provides an opportunity to use their expertise to make a tangible difference while building their own confidence and problem-solving skills. TAP Consultant Rose Gordon shared, "TAP gave me the opportunity to not only share my expertise but also grow alongside some amazing, driven individuals who are shaping their communities and industries. This work fuels my passion for making a real difference, and I'm excited to continue contributing to their success stories." Volunteering with TAP also provides consultants with the chance to sharpen their skills, gain exposure to new industries, and tackle unique challenges. Whether it's analyzing financials, crafting marketing strategies, or optimizing operations, the work offers valuable hands-on experience that translates back to their careers. "As an empty-nester seeking to both keep myself busy and give back to others, TAP was the perfect experience. TAP management is so supportive and helpful with any issues that arise and provides incredible tools and training for consultants to help their clients as well as the consultants personal growth" says Stephanie Hurwitz, TAP consultant since 2022. The work of TAP consultants has far-reaching effects, not just for the businesses they assist but also for the communities these businesses serve. By empowering entrepreneurs, TAP consultants play a key role in creating jobs, driving local economic growth, and strengthening Main Street. Want to hear more about the TAP consultant experience? Explore real testimonials and insights, including this inspiring video, to see how our consultants are making a difference. If you're a professional looking to make a meaningful impact, consider joining TAP as a volunteer consultant. Together, we can strengthen small businesses, empower communities, and create lasting change.
Visit The Acceleration Project to learn more and get involved today.
Legacy Volleyball Club transforms underserved youth through holistic volleyball programs that develop athletic skills, academic readiness and life confidence. The club sought TAP’s guidance to enhance its operations and scale its reach. TAP consultants worked closely with the owner to improve financial planning, optimize pricing models, and refine marketing strategies. As a result, Legacy Volleyball Club has not only grown its membership but also expanded its community impact by providing opportunities for more young athletes to develop their abilities and self-assurance. “The expertise and support from TAP have been invaluable,” says Joel Sanchez. “They helped us think strategically and take our business to the next level.” Annie’s Ginger Elixir, a handcrafted beverage business based in Brooklyn NY, partnered with TAP to navigate operational challenges and increase its market presence. TAP consultants developed strategies to streamline production processes, improve inventory management, and enhance branding. The results were transformative: Annie’s Ginger Elixir now enjoys greater efficiency and a wider customer base. “TAP gave me the tools and confidence to grow my business sustainably,” shares Annie. “Their guidance has been a true game-changer.” Pabade Bakery & Cafe, a sibling-owned eatery in East Harlem NY, faced challenges in managing costs and increasing revenue. With TAP’s help, the owners revamped their menu to focus on high-margin items, implemented a customer loyalty program, and refined their marketing efforts. The changes led to a significant boost in profits and a stronger connection with their local community. “Working with TAP was an eye-opening experience,” says Dahyanna Carvajal. “They provided actionable insights that made a real difference in our business.” Want to hear more about the incredible journeys of TAP clients? Check out our Small Business Success Stories playlist on YouTube to see firsthand accounts of how TAP has empowered small businesses to flourish. These stories highlight the resilience, creativity, and heart of the entrepreneurs who make our communities vibrant and strong.
Through strategic collaborations, TAP can offer impactful programs that address the specific needs of small business owners. For instance, in partnership with JPMorgan Chase, TAP developed an interactive cash flow management module to help entrepreneurs assess and manage their cash flow more effectively. This resource proved invaluable for small business owners seeking to improve their financial stability. In collaboration with Community Capital NY, TAP created a diagnostic tool that assesses key skill levels of business owners. This tool provides a comprehensive and measurable approach to understanding business needs, allowing TAP to tailor its technical assistance for maximum impact. Additionally, TAP’s partnership with PNC has facilitated workshops and webinars for business owners, focusing on topics including financial literacy and forecasting. These sessions included Q&A and downloadable tools to address each entrepreneur's specific needs, resulting in meaningful improvements in financial management and planning. Our corporate partners and foundations provide critical funding for TAP’s initiatives, enabling us to offer essential services to underserved business owners at little or no cost. This support allows TAP to extend its high-impact programs to more small businesses, helping them access resources and expertise that would otherwise be out of reach. By funding these initiatives, our partners play an integral role in TAP’s mission to foster revenue growth and job creation in small businesses across various communities. In 2025, TAP aims to expand its reach by working with additional corporate partners and foundations, allowing us to support even more small businesses and make a broader economic impact. By entering new communities, TAP and its partners are directly contributing to the growth of local economies, empowering small businesses to create jobs and increase revenue.
Our partnerships provide a scalable platform to bring TAP’s expertise to thousands of small business owners. Whether through webinars, one-on-one coaching, or specialized tools, these collaborations allow TAP to deliver best-in-class services while measuring impact to ensure that each engagement drives real economic outcomes. We are grateful to our corporate partners and look forward to strengthening these relationships in 2025. Together, we are building a brighter economic future for small business owners and the communities they serve.
In 2025, donor contributions will enable TAP to continue offering business advisory services to underserved entrepreneurs at no cost to them. These services help business owners refine their marketing strategies, enhance financial management, and scale their operations. Thanks to donor support, TAP has already been able to assist hundreds of businesses in overcoming critical challenges. These advisory services are directly tied to revenue growth and job creation—two key measures of TAP’s success. By funding these services, donors empower small businesses to improve their financial performance and expand their workforce, fostering stronger local economies. Donor funding also plays a crucial role in supporting TAP’s entrepreneurial training programs. These programs provide essential education and tools that help small business owners navigate today’s competitive market. TAP’s training programs focus on strategies that drive revenue growth and job creation, equipping entrepreneurs with practical skills and knowledge. For example, a recent TAP client utilized the insights gained through TAP’s training to streamline their business operations, leading to a measurable increase in revenue and the ability to hire additional employees. These programs are designed to create long-term success for small businesses, thanks to the support of our donors. With ongoing donor support, TAP is expanding its reach into new regions in 2025, enabling more small business owners to benefit from our services. This expansion aligns with TAP’s commitment to driving economic growth in underserved communities.
By extending TAP’s services to new areas, donors are helping to increase revenue and create jobs across a broader range of communities. This expansion not only supports individual business growth but also contributes to the overall economic vitality of the regions TAP serves. Thank you for your continued support in 2025. Together, we are empowering small business owners and strengthening communities by driving revenue growth and job creation.
Many small businesses lack access to the expertise needed to grow. TAP consultants provide pro-bono advice in areas like marketing, finance, and operations, empowering entrepreneurs to overcome their toughest challenges. By sharing professional knowledge, volunteers play an essential role in helping small businesses improve their financial stability and expand. When small businesses succeed, they create jobs and stimulate economic growth. TAP consultants directly strengthen local communities by helping small businesses become more sustainable and profitable. Through consistent support, TAP has seen tangible results, with small businesses reporting increased revenue and the creation of new employment opportunities. These outcomes reflect TAP’s commitment to economic growth in underserved areas. In 2025, staying competitive will mean adopting new technology. Automation tools, digital marketing platforms, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems are essential for optimizing operations and engaging customers effectively. Explore solutions that streamline your processes and support business efficiency. TAP consultants frequently recommend technological solutions that boost job efficiency and revenue potential. CRM systems, for example, improve customer relationships, while marketing automation tools can enhance outreach and customer engagement. Profile of TAP Consultants
TAP consultants are accomplished professionals with diverse backgrounds in finance, marketing, operations, and strategy, bringing years of experience from industries such as management consulting, banking, and entrepreneurship. They volunteer their expertise to empower small businesses and help drive economic growth in underserved communities. By providing high-quality, customized guidance, TAP consultants enable small business owners to overcome barriers, increase revenue, and create jobs—contributing to stronger, more resilient local economies. Interested in Becoming a Volunteer Consultant? Apply here to become a TAP volunteer consultant. Your expertise could help small businesses grow revenue and create jobs in 2025.
Analyzing your financial performance is a critical step in making informed decisions for the future. By reviewing last year's performance, you can spot trends, pinpoint areas for improvement, and uncover growth opportunities for 2025. Consider leveraging financial management software to track expenses and forecast future performance - even a simple spreadsheet is a useful tool. Closely monitoring financials is crucial for profitability. Businesses that review their financials quarterly grow 20% faster than those that don't-a powerful incentive to stay on top of your financial health. At TAP, our consultants empower small business owners with the means to understand the stories their numbers tell, and we recommend regular financial reviews to foster business resilience. Setting goals is fundamental to small business growth. Establish SMART goals - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound - to keep you on track and aligned with long-term objectives. Whether expanding your customer base or launching a new product, clear goals help guide your focus. When you set your goals, do it with key success metrics such as revenue growth and job creation in mind. A goal such as "increase revenue by 15% in 2025," provides a specific, measurable target and is relevant to success, and has a finite period in which to accomplish it. Is it achievable? Try to reach for that sweet spot; don't set yourself up for failure, but don't back away from a challenge, either. Setting SMART goals will ultimately supporting sustainable growth. In 2025, staying competitive will mean adopting new technology. Automation tools, digital marketing platforms, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems are essential for optimizing operations and engaging customers effectively. Explore solutions that streamline your processes and support business efficiency. TAP consultants frequently recommend technological solutions that boost job efficiency and revenue potential. CRM systems, for example, improve customer relationships, while marketing automation tools can enhance outreach and customer engagement. Loyal customers drive repeat revenue, a focus central to TAP's mission to support business growth. Research from Harvard Business Review shows that increasing customer retention by 5% can increase profits by 25-95%. By prioritizing customer satisfaction, small businesses can build a more stable revenue base. Consider implementing customer feedback systems for continuous improvement in 2025.
By following these strategies, your small business can thrive in 2025. TAP is here to provide the high-level, customized consulting you need to succeed. Check us out at www.theaccelerationproject.org to learn more and connect with us for support. ![]() This spring has been a whirlwind of achievements for The Acceleration Project (TAP) and its co-founder and CEO, Jane Veron. We are thrilled to announce that Jane has been honored with three prestigious awards, each recognizing her exceptional leadership and impactful contributions to communities nationwide. Jane's groundbreaking work channeling talent back into the economy to bolster small business growth earned her the Visionary Catalyst Award by Visionary Women. This accolade highlights Jane’s innovative approach and dedication to fostering economic empowerment among entrepreneurial women from historically underserved communities. At the International Women's Day Summit at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, over 500 women leaders from various fields gathered to celebrate female empowerment and leadership. The event featured a compelling fireside chat between Nicole Avant, bestselling author of "Think You'll Be Happy," and Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow, focusing on the theme of "Mother-Daughter Legacy." The summit concluded with Visionary Women presenting the 2024 Changemaker Award to Sharon Stone, who also received a charitable donation for a cause of her choice. Jane's second honor, the Betty Cook Award, was bestowed by The Women's Bond Club in recognition of her unwavering dedication to empowering women. This prestigious award was presented during a grand gala at The American Museum of Natural History, attended by over 750 leaders. The event featured inspiring speeches from notable leaders such as Douglas Peterson, President & CEO of S & P Global and Janet Truncale, EY Global Chair & CEO-elect and was emceed by Stephanie Ramos of ABC News. Jane's contributions to TAP and the broader community were lauded, emphasizing her role in transforming countless lives. Rounding out her trio of honors, Jane was named to the 2024 Nonprofit Trailblazers list, presented by City & State New York Media. This list celebrates visionary leaders from mission-driven nonprofit organizations across New York. Jane's inclusion underscores her influential role in driving social change and her commitment to advocacy. The honorees celebrated at an event at The Glass House in Manhattan on May 22, with keynote addresses from New York City Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana Almanzar and Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. These awards recognized Jane Veron's exceptional contributions and highlight the profound impact she continues to make through her impactful leadership. We at TAP are immensely proud of Jane and look forward to her continued success in driving positive change. Jane Veron at The City & State Nonprofit Trailblazer Awards Jane Veron at The Women’s Bond Club Gala
Boosting Growth and Investment ReadinessIn the bustling streets of Brooklyn, New York, Annie's Ginger Elixir stands out as a beacon of health and wellness. Crafted with love and precision by Annie Bassin, this organic ginger-based tonic is a powerhouse of nutrients, enriched with hibiscus, elderberries, blueberries, cranberries, and currants. Packaged in distinctive square bottles or 1.5oz tube shots, the elixir is sold online, at farmers markets, and in stores nationwide.
With a mission to boost immunity and promote overall well-being, Annie's Ginger Elixir has captured the hearts and taste buds of health-conscious consumers nationwide. Annie and her partner, Allard Van Hoorn, envisioned taking their business to new heights. However, they faced a common hurdle for many aspiring entrepreneurs: the need for capital. Determined to secure funding for growth, they sought load readiness guidance from The Acceleration Project. They joined the TAP to Grow loan readiness program funded by Mizuho to access the support. TAP's team of experts, including consultants Stephanie Hurwitz and Ninfa Wilde, along with content specialist Jeff Willen, collaborated closely with Bassin and Allard to analyze their business from every angle. Through a review of financial data, business plans, and investor pitch decks, TAP identified key areas for improvement and developed a comprehensive action plan tailored to Annie's Ginger Elixirs specific needs. TAP helped Annie’s Ginger Elixirs understand their debt coverage ratios and to ensure that cash flows could comfortably cover debt service obligations. As a result, Bassin and Allard were better equipped to approach lenders with confidence. Moreover, TAP provided invaluable insights into several equity options, directing the duo towards ideal investor groups and refining their pitch deck to maximize appeal. The impact of TAP's support was strong. Armed with strategic insights, Annie's Ginger Elixir has flourished. Not only did they sustain their growth trajectory, but they are working on plans to enter the Japanese market. Their products continue to sell directly on their website, and on Amazon, and at Whole Foods and farmers' markets nationwide, further solidifying their presence in the health and wellness industry. The products are also available in Europe. The success story of Annie's Ginger Elixir serves as a testament to the transformative power of strategic guidance and collaboration. Through TAP's expertise, along with Bassin and Allard's dedication, this small Brooklyn-based business has evolved into a thriving enterprise poised for national and potential growth. “We have better organization and focus and have started thinking from a lender- and investor-centric perspective.” As they continue to inspire others with their commitment to health and vitality, Annie's Ginger Elixir stands as a shining example of entrepreneurial vision and resilience. Listen Alert: TAP CEO and Co-Founder, Jane Veron, is featured on The Business of Giving Podcast1/3/2024 Listen Alert
TAP CEO and co-founder, Jane Veron is Featured on The Business of Giving Podcast. Denver Frederick is the Host of The Business Giving. The program is the only show of its kind that focuses on solutions to today’s complex social problems. Over 300 Chief Executive Officers from nonprofit and philanthropic organizations from across the country have appeared on the program. Click Here to Listen to the Podcast |
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