 Small businesses power local economies. They create jobs, strengthen communities, and drive innovation. At The Acceleration Project (TAP), we believe that when entrepreneurs are equipped with the right tools, their impact multiplies.  TAP provides expert consulting at no cost to small business owners. From financial planning to operational strategy, our customized guidance helps businesses overcome challenges and scale sustainably.  2025 Small Business Owner of the Year Originally from Peru, Jeniffer Salas began flipping homes in 2017 and discovered a passion for construction. In 2019, she and her partner, Marlon Mora, launched MJ Renovation Group in Orlando. As the business grew, Jeniffer faced the dual pressure of leading operations and providing for her family and team. She joined TAP’s Deep Dive program seeking clarity, confidence, and a pathway to expand into commercial renovation. With guidance from TAP consultants, she streamlined operations, improved financial oversight, and reworked pricing models for long-term growth.  TAP worked with Jeniffer and Marlon to: -Create a pricing calculator and cost-tracking system to improve bid accuracy and profitability -Guide the business to incorporate industry-standard profit margins into bids to cover costs and support long-term viability -Hire a bookkeeper and strengthen team infrastructure -Refine their service mix to focus on higher margin commercial work  “One of our biggest weaknesses was understanding our finances. TAP helped me see clearly who my clients are, who I should target, and what each project truly costs. For the first time I understand my profitability. That insight has changed everything. I can now reduce costs and make informed decisions with confidence. There are no more grey areas. Everything is black and white.”Jeniffer Salas, Co-Owner, MJ Renovation Group • Revenue increased 85% in one year • Contractor capacity tripled with a team of 11+ • Business mix shifted to 70% commercial • Profit margins rose by 20% to 30%  MJ Renovation Group is now bidding on larger contracts and earning recognition across Orlando’s Hispanic and women-owned business networks. Jeniffer is committed to mentoring other Latina entrepreneurs and sharing the lessons she gained through TAP.  TAP delivers high-impact, personalized support to small business owners at no cost. Apply now for a free one-on-one consultation and take your business to the next level.
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 The workshop covered the fundamentals of financial health, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow, paired with actionable guidance on pricing strategies that protect margins and support long term profitability. Through real world examples and interactive exercises, participants gained clarity on how to assess their performance, prepare for financing, and price their products for success in a shifting market. Topics included: • How to interpret core financial statements • The differences between cash and accrual accounting • How to conduct a break-even analysis • Techniques to align pricing with costs, competition, and customer value  “I really enjoyed the session. The presentations were clear, digestible, and left room for questions. I found the content fascinating.” - Business Development Specialist/Lending Officer at Feed the Hunger Fund Feedback from participants reflected high satisfaction with the experience. All attendees said they were likely to recommend TAP to a colleague, with 75% reporting they were extremely likely. Among those with an operational business, 75% felt better equipped to advance their business after attending the workshop.  The project was staffed by two TAP consultants, including one with over 20 years of experience supporting mission-driven organizations. Together, they led a workshop focused on key concepts in financial health and profitability. Through real-world examples and interactive exercises, participants explored how to assess their performance, prepare for financing, and price their products effectively in a dynamic market. “I had the right training and tools, used resources from the TAP toolbox alongside external research, and felt the client was engaged, satisfied, and well supported by the clear and easy to use materials we prepared.”  Feed the Hunger Fund’s mission to nourish communities and fund change aligns closely with TAP’s commitment to providing under-resourced entrepreneurs with high caliber business consulting. Together, we are investing in the people who grow our food, ensuring they have the tools, knowledge, and capital they need to thrive.
This collaboration demonstrates what is possible when mission aligned organizations join forces to uplift farmers from the ground up. From financial fluency to pricing power, our workshop planted seeds of growth for future harvests. If your organization is ready to be part of this movement, we invite you to partner with TAP. Fill out our interest form, or visit the partnership page on our website to learn more.  The Acceleration Project’s 2025 Spring for Small Business® Benefit welcomed over 175 supporters to celebrate entrepreneurship, recognize impact, and amplify the voices driving economic mobility. In this conversation, TAP CEO and Co-Founder Jane Veron and Board Chair Peter Greene, co-head of the Investment Management Group at Schulte Roth + Zabel, reflect on an evening that showcased progress, partnership, and the power of one-on-one support.
Ready to join the movement? Your donation fuels growth, builds tools, and strengthens communities. https://www.theaccelerationproject.org/donate.html 
 This new group of more than 20 professionals spans multiple time zones, career stages, and hometowns—from New York and Denver to Portland, Annapolis, London, and Goa. They bring insights from Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, global nonprofits, and entrepreneurial ventures. Highlights include:
 TAP consultants do not just advise. They listen, co-create, and build trust. Their support helps small businesses grow, adapt, and reinvest locally, fueling the ripple effect that drives our mission. Our model is powered by over 200 professionals, 60 percent of whom hold full-time roles at top firms. They bring real-world insight, fresh thinking, and a shared belief in small business. We often say we bring Wall Street to Main Street. This flexible, high caliber talent allows us to tailor solutions to each entrepreneur’s goals and lived experience. Through our rigorous onboarding, professional development, and project based model, consultants gain access to a peer network, resume worthy experience, and the opportunity to make a tangible difference.  Whether supporting a women-led retail brand, helping a food entrepreneur access funding, or mapping operations for scale, this cohort is already making an impact…and they are just getting started. We are proud to have these changemakers in our corner and grateful for their dedication to economic mobility and community transformation.  If you are ready to use your expertise to spark meaningful change, TAP invites you to join its community of dedicated consultants.
Apply to become a TAP consultant: https://www.tfaforms.com/4701371 Contact: [email protected] Visit to learn more https://www.theaccelerationproject.org/consultants.html
 On April 10, TAP participated in the SEC Small Business Forum in Washington, D.C., where we submitted policy recommendations based on our direct work with over 11,000 under-resourced business owners. Most of these entrepreneurs generate under 1 million USD in annual revenue and face significant challenges when trying to access capital or build long-term wealth. Our recommendations focused on three key areas:
 It’s Nola is a snack company based in Brooklyn, founded by Margaret Barrow in 2018, offering healthy granola bites primarily through B2B channels with a growing online presence. Margaret partnered with TAP to deepen her financial knowledge and strengthen her foundation for growth. She participated in a TAP deep dive on loan readiness, with a focus on the 5 Cs of credit, projected cash flow, and marketing strategies to drive sales and ensure loan repayment capacity. TAP consultants also worked with Margaret one on one to uncover discrepancies in her profit and loss statements, giving her a clearer view of her current financial position. She received custom P&L projection templates to use with her accountant, helping her assess the sustainability of her business. We also introduced her to TAP’s educational webinars to better understand financing options available to It’s Nola. “I am so excited about the templates and tools as all of them are useful and help me to create a set of processes that I can use on a continual basis. They are specifically designed for me to create a better organized understanding of my finances so that I can make informed decisions about moving the company forward.” Margaret’s journey reflects what happens when financial literacy is paired with practical tools and trusted guidance. Her business is now positioned for more informed decisions, smarter growth, and long term resilience.  Financial literacy is not a luxury or a nice to have, it is a must. When business owners understand how to manage costs, track margins, and prepare for growth, they are able to build stability for their families and create positive ripple effects in their communities.
At TAP, we are proud to deliver financial education in ways that are actionable, accessible, and tailored to each entrepreneur’s needs. Whether through one-on-one consulting or national policy advocacy, our goal is the same, to equip small business owners with the tools to thrive. If you are a small business owner and want to strengthen your financial foundation, visit theaccelerationproject.org to learn more about our services. To request a free one-on-one consultation, please fill out this form. |
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