From Forum to Field: Jane Veron on Building a Future Where Small Businesses Thrive

Intro:
At the Milken Institute Finance Forum in March, leaders across finance, philanthropy, and policy came together to tackle one of the biggest economic challenges of our time: how to expand opportunity and ensure small businesses can grow, thrive, and transition across generations.​

Jane Veron, CEO of The Acceleration Project (TAP) was among the changemakers driving these critical conversations. She left the forum more energized than ever, ready to translate insights into impact. Here, she shares key reflections from the event and how TAP is putting ideas into action.

Q: What made this forum stand out in today’s economic landscape?

Jane Veron: What stood out was the urgency. Whether talking to policymakers, investors, or community lenders, everyone agreed: we need to take bold, collective action to make capital and guidance more accessible. But access to funding alone isn’t enough. As I shared during our session, “David vs. Goliath: Supporting Small Businesses in an Economy that Favors Scale,” sustainable growth also demands the right expertise in financial management, pricing, operations, and strategy.

​At TAP, we help small businesses not only navigate today’s challenges but build the foundation for tomorrow by ensuring owners are prepared for expansion and, critically, for succession. As Shaolee Sen noted, 12 million businesses are expected to change hands in the next decade. If we don’t support that transition, those businesses and the jobs they create could vanish.

Q: What are some of the financial inequities small business owners continue to face?

Jane Veron: Too many entrepreneurs still struggle to access high-quality guidance. Traditional business advisory services are often out of reach, especially for business owners in under-resourced communities. That’s where TAP steps in. We offer expert consulting that meets business owners exactly where they are. We don’t hand over cookie-cutter advice—we roll up our sleeves and work side by side, helping owners build viable, resilient businesses.

Q: How do corporate and philanthropic partners fuel this work?

Jane Veron: They are absolutely essential. At TAP, donor and partner investment allows us to scale our work, reach new communities, and deliver tools tailored to real business needs. The energy I felt at the Milken Forum—from leaders like Anne Bovaird Nevins — was inspiring. It reminded me that we’re not alone in this mission. When we align funding with expertise and community trust, real transformation happens.

Q: What message would you share with those looking to drive economic change?

Jane Veron: Don’t underestimate the power of small business. When they thrive, communities thrive. But we can’t just admire the problem…we need to act. We need flexible, long-term capital. We need strategic advisory support. And we need bold collaboration across sectors. The tools exist and we just have to deploy them with urgency and intentionality.

Bringing the Work Home
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At The Acceleration Project, the ideas discussed at Milken aren’t theoretical; they’re already in motion. From helping business owners navigate cash flow challenges to preparing for growth and succession, TAP is doing the work that powers long-term economic resilience.

On May 6th, TAP’s Spring for Small Business Benefit will celebrate this impact—bringing together donors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to continue the momentum sparked at the Finance Forum.

Join Us in Fueling Economic Mobility
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Ready to invest in inclusive growth? Partner with TAP to ensure every small business, regardless of zip code, has a fair shot at success. Visit The Acceleration Project to learn more.