One inspiring story comes from John Noisette, the owner of Liberty Tax in Albany. When John returned from Africa in 2016 to care for his mother, he brought with him a strong sense of family and community values that now shape how he leads his business. As a small business owner, he faced the challenges of a highly seasonal model, with peak demand from December through July, and limited access to shared best practices.

Looking to create more stability and long-term growth, John came to TAP with a clear vision: strengthen his existing tax business and launch a new bookkeeping service to generate year-round revenue. With TAP’s strategic guidance and his entrepreneurial drive, John is building a more resilient business and expanding the services he offers his community.

Ready to Grow Your Business?
With over a decade of experience working alongside small business owners, TAP provides trusted, no-cost services designed to help you navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and grow with confidence.​

Are you a small business owner looking for expert support at no cost? Apply for a free 1:1 consultation to access personalized support and take your business to the next level.

The program kicked off last month with an in-person session on brand positioning, setting the foundation for a four-part workshop series on financial literacy, credit management, and borrowing essentials. These workshops provide participants with a structured framework to assess their businesses, identify growth opportunities, and take meaningful steps toward expansion. Each session is followed by one-on-one coaching, allowing business owners to gain tailored insights and apply strategies directly to their unique business challenges.

KeyBank’s support is instrumental in making this initiative possible, reinforcing its commitment to economic development and small business empowerment. Through this partnership, TAP and KeyBank are providing entrepreneurs with the practical tools and financial expertise needed to navigate challenges, build sustainable businesses, and drive community-wide economic growth.

The program is already delivering measurable results. Nearly 100% of participants have reported greater confidence in their brand strategy, with many noting that the program has given them a clearer vision and actionable steps for long-term success. One business owner shared, “I love that my TAP consultant reviewed my site before our call. Her insights were spot on, and her recommendations were exactly what I needed.”

Beyond individual success stories, the ripple effect of this initiative is significant. Stronger businesses lead to more jobs, greater economic stability, and revitalized local communities. The Business Growth Accelerator is not just about individual entrepreneurs—it’s about fostering an ecosystem of growth that benefits entire neighborhoods.

With a graduation event on April 17, participants will walk away with stronger business strategies, improved financial literacy, and a roadmap for sustainable expansion. This milestone will celebrate their progress and highlight the power of continued education and mentorship in driving small business success.

TAP’s work is fueled by forward-thinking partners who believe in the power of small business to transform communities. By investing in entrepreneurs, organizations like KeyBank are helping to build a more resilient and prosperous future for all.

If your organization is interested in making a meaningful impact, explore opportunities to partner with TAP. Together, we can create more opportunities, empower business owners, and strengthen local economies.

Visit The Acceleration Project to learn more about how you can support small business growth.

At The Acceleration Project (TAP), our volunteer consultants are the backbone of our mission to empower small business owners with expert guidance and strategic solutions. These professionals, bringing deep expertise in finance, marketing, operations, and business strategy, dedicate their time to helping entrepreneurs overcome obstacles, increase revenue, and build sustainable business growth.

TAP’s consulting services provide invaluable support to small business owners who may lack access to traditional advisory services. Through hands-on mentorship and tailored strategies, TAP consultants help entrepreneurs streamline operations, optimize financial management, and strengthen their market presence, among other topics.​

In this feature, we highlight TAP’s talented consultants who are making a difference and showcase insights from the TAP Consultants & Client at Work video, where they share their experiences working with small businesses.

TAP consultants are a community of like-minded, mission-driven individuals. They are trained using TAP’s proprietary, research-backed set of tools on the small business owner mindset and cultural competency, complementing their deep industry knowledge and functional expertise from their roles as former small business owners, Fortune 500 employees, and community leaders. They bring years of experience in fields such as: ​

• Finance and Cash Flow Management – Helping businesses improve profitability, secure funding, and optimize expenses.
• Marketing and Branding – Guiding small business owners on digital marketing, customer acquisition, and brand visibility.
• Operations and Efficiency – Streamlining processes and introducing best practices for business scalability.
• Strategic Planning – Assisting entrepreneurs in long-term growth strategies to build sustainable success.

One of the biggest reasons small businesses fail is poor cash flow management. Without enough working capital, even a profitable business can struggle to cover expenses like rent, payroll, and inventory. ​

How to Improve Cash Flow:

• Monitor Finances Regularly – Use accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero to track income and expenses in real time.
• Optimize Invoicing – Implement digital invoicing systems and offer multiple payment options to get paid faster.
• Control Expenses – Audit your expenses to eliminate unnecessary costs and negotiate better terms with suppliers.
• Establish a Financial Cushion – Build an emergency fund with at least three to six months of operating expenses.

TAP has helped business owners implement interactive cash flow management tools in partnership with JPMorgan Chase, ensuring they have the financial insights needed to make informed decisions.