Use your professional expertise to help save small businesses
The majority of small businesses are ill-equipped to sustain through a crisis the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic leaving many of them now fighting for their lives. We are facing an existential threat to the small business sector and the jobs that they create. Business owners are seeing their life savings and their only source of income getting washed away before their very eyes. Many feel helpless and hopeless. These feelings are especially acute among black and Hispanic entrepreneurs that were already struggling before the added burden of this crisis. Government aid alone is not going to be enough.
We are asking you to carve out a few hours to use your professional skills to support businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. While medical professionals have been on the front lines saving lives, business professionals must join together to save our small businesses. Together, we can pave the way for economic recovery.
Recent News: IFEL has partnered with David Wright Tremaine
Sign Up to Volunteer
All work is done remotely by phone and video conferencing.
We can use whatever time you have available:
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Work on a short project
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Contribute a set number of hours per week
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Answer questions online
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Offer a webinar or free business services
It's easy to get involved and make a difference.
We need expertise in many different areas:
Accounting
Administrative support
Bookkeeping
Business model reinvention
Copy writing/Content development
Culinary arts/Restaurant management
Human resources
Legal
Loan packaging
Marketing
Merchandising
Operations
Presentation development
Public relations
Real estate - commercial leasing
Real estate - development
Relationship development/Networking
Sales strategy/Sales training
Social media
Strategic consulting
Supply chain management
Technology
Website development
And more!
Join the fight to save our small business community and stimulate our economy using your professional skills.
All work is done remotely by phone and video conferencing.
Is your company interested in supporting this initiative? Learn more about our corporate volunteer program.
Volunteer Testimonials
What it means to have a Success Circle
"Success Circles has been absolutely phenomenal. The group of mentors Jill and her team have assembled for Swivel, from branding experts to fundraising pros and PR gurus have been transformational for our business.
When you're working with a small budget, one of the biggest hurdles startups can face is access to the right advisors to help you grow in critical areas. Success Circles has filled that gap for us. We feel honored to be part of this program and can already see the impact it's having on our business."
Jihan Thompson, Swivel Beauty
“A great opportunity to connect with mentors and experienced entrepreneurs about cultivating successful business practices.”
Kimberly Gray, Uvii
"Being an entrepreneur means you have to wear many hats. Having a Success Circle lessens the burden of trying to be an expert in every area.
It not only provides me with additional resources, but it also allows me to apply my expertise in the areas where I am well versed. In fact, it gives me the mental space to be relaxed and effective in my business and personally."
Adrienne Fudge, 40 Dreams Catering
"Being a part of the Success Circles program has truly impacted our early-stage startup. After our first pitch, we connected with the Managing Director of Goldenseeds who gave us transformative, valuable guidance on pitching, refining our business model, and learning investor lingo.
In addition, we connected with HR and Sales Advisors who came in and supported our team in scaling and making sure our due diligence was prepped for a successful future. Being in this program has led to tremendous growth and development for our company".
Tiasia O'Brien, Seam Social Labs
What it means to have a Success Circle
"Success Circles has been absolutely phenomenal. The group of mentors Jill and her team have assembled for Swivel, from branding experts to fundraising pros and PR gurus have been transformational for our business.
When you're working with a small budget, one of the biggest hurdles startups can face is access to the right advisors to help you grow in critical areas. Success Circles has filled that gap for us. We feel honored to be part of this program and can already see the impact it's having on our business."
Jihan Thompson, Swivel Beauty
“A great opportunity to connect with mentors and experienced entrepreneurs about cultivating successful business practices.”
Kimberly Gray, Uvii
"Being an entrepreneur means you have to wear many hats. Having a Success Circle lessens the burden of trying to be an expert in every area.
It not only provides me with additional resources, but it also allows me to apply my expertise in the areas where I am well versed. In fact, it gives me the mental space to be relaxed and effective in my business and personally."
Adrienne Fudge, 40 Dreams Catering
"Being a part of the Success Circles program has truly impacted our early-stage startup. After our first pitch, we connected with the Managing Director of Goldenseeds who gave us transformative, valuable guidance on pitching, refining our business model, and learning investor lingo.
In addition, we connected with HR and Sales Advisors who came in and supported our team in scaling and making sure our due diligence was prepped for a successful future. Being in this program has led to tremendous growth and development for our company".
Tiasia O'Brien, Seam Social Labs
What it means to have a Success Circle
"Success Circles has been absolutely phenomenal. The group of mentors Jill and her team have assembled for Swivel, from branding experts to fundraising pros and PR gurus have been transformational for our business.
When you're working with a small budget, one of the biggest hurdles startups can face is access to the right advisors to help you grow in critical areas. Success Circles has filled that gap for us. We feel honored to be part of this program and can already see the impact it's having on our business."
Jihan Thompson, Swivel Beauty
“A great opportunity to connect with mentors and experienced entrepreneurs about cultivating successful business practices.”
Kimberly Gray, Uvii
"Being an entrepreneur means you have to wear many hats. Having a Success Circle lessens the burden of trying to be an expert in every area.
It not only provides me with additional resources, but it also allows me to apply my expertise in the areas where I am well versed. In fact, it gives me the mental space to be relaxed and effective in my business and personally."
Adrienne Fudge, 40 Dreams Catering
"Being a part of the Success Circles program has truly impacted our early-stage startup. After our first pitch, we connected with the Managing Director of Goldenseeds who gave us transformative, valuable guidance on pitching, refining our business model, and learning investor lingo.
In addition, we connected with HR and Sales Advisors who came in and supported our team in scaling and making sure our due diligence was prepped for a successful future. Being in this program has led to tremendous growth and development for our company".
Tiasia O'Brien, Seam Social Labs
What it means to have a Success Circle
"Success Circles has been absolutely phenomenal. The group of mentors Jill and her team have assembled for Swivel, from branding experts to fundraising pros and PR gurus have been transformational for our business.
When you're working with a small budget, one of the biggest hurdles startups can face is access to the right advisors to help you grow in critical areas. Success Circles has filled that gap for us. We feel honored to be part of this program and can already see the impact it's having on our business."
Jihan Thompson, Swivel Beauty
“A great opportunity to connect with mentors and experienced entrepreneurs about cultivating successful business practices.”
Kimberly Gray, Uvii
"Being an entrepreneur means you have to wear many hats. Having a Success Circle lessens the burden of trying to be an expert in every area.
It not only provides me with additional resources, but it also allows me to apply my expertise in the areas where I am well versed. In fact, it gives me the mental space to be relaxed and effective in my business and personally."
Adrienne Fudge, 40 Dreams Catering
"Being a part of the Success Circles program has truly impacted our early-stage startup. After our first pitch, we connected with the Managing Director of Goldenseeds who gave us transformative, valuable guidance on pitching, refining our business model, and learning investor lingo.
In addition, we connected with HR and Sales Advisors who came in and supported our team in scaling and making sure our due diligence was prepped for a successful future. Being in this program has led to tremendous growth and development for our company".
Tiasia O'Brien, Seam Social Labs
What it means to have a Success Circle
"Success Circles has been absolutely phenomenal. The group of mentors Jill and her team have assembled for Swivel, from branding experts to fundraising pros and PR gurus have been transformational for our business.
When you're working with a small budget, one of the biggest hurdles startups can face is access to the right advisors to help you grow in critical areas. Success Circles has filled that gap for us. We feel honored to be part of this program and can already see the impact it's having on our business."
Jihan Thompson, Swivel Beauty
“A great opportunity to connect with mentors and experienced entrepreneurs about cultivating successful business practices.”
Kimberly Gray, Uvii
"Being an entrepreneur means you have to wear many hats. Having a Success Circle lessens the burden of trying to be an expert in every area.
It not only provides me with additional resources, but it also allows me to apply my expertise in the areas where I am well versed. In fact, it gives me the mental space to be relaxed and effective in my business and personally."
Adrienne Fudge, 40 Dreams Catering
"Being a part of the Success Circles program has truly impacted our early-stage startup. After our first pitch, we connected with the Managing Director of Goldenseeds who gave us transformative, valuable guidance on pitching, refining our business model, and learning investor lingo.
In addition, we connected with HR and Sales Advisors who came in and supported our team in scaling and making sure our due diligence was prepped for a successful future. Being in this program has led to tremendous growth and development for our company".
Tiasia O'Brien, Seam Social Labs
What it means to have a Success Circle
"Success Circles has been absolutely phenomenal. The group of mentors Jill and her team have assembled for Swivel, from branding experts to fundraising pros and PR gurus have been transformational for our business.
When you're working with a small budget, one of the biggest hurdles startups can face is access to the right advisors to help you grow in critical areas. Success Circles has filled that gap for us. We feel honored to be part of this program and can already see the impact it's having on our business."
Jihan Thompson, Swivel Beauty
“A great opportunity to connect with mentors and experienced entrepreneurs about cultivating successful business practices.”
Kimberly Gray, Uvii
"Being an entrepreneur means you have to wear many hats. Having a Success Circle lessens the burden of trying to be an expert in every area.
It not only provides me with additional resources, but it also allows me to apply my expertise in the areas where I am well versed. In fact, it gives me the mental space to be relaxed and effective in my business and personally."
Adrienne Fudge, 40 Dreams Catering
"Being a part of the Success Circles program has truly impacted our early-stage startup. After our first pitch, we connected with the Managing Director of Goldenseeds who gave us transformative, valuable guidance on pitching, refining our business model, and learning investor lingo.
In addition, we connected with HR and Sales Advisors who came in and supported our team in scaling and making sure our due diligence was prepped for a successful future. Being in this program has led to tremendous growth and development for our company".
What it means to have a Success Circle
"Pivoting has meant connecting with organizations like IFEL. They have provided us with the right Volunteers to help us navigate the new business model, organize our offerings, and relaunch ourselves as a luxury Baby & Beauty brand during a global pandemic. Their support is crucial to small businesses like ours. We experience the power of Team from week to week while continuing to grow our business through 2021."
Phumelele Kuene, Ebaata Skincare
Hey Melissa, The Day of Service was great. I had the pleasure of having Gena Morris coach me. She was great. She encouraged me and got me excited about my business again. She pointed me to an app called next door. It's basically a community website with local businesses. Let's say since I started that i 've gained five clients who are now on my waiting list. Gena listened to my concerns and guided me in the right directions.
Aroustallia Joseph, Little Foot's 24 Hour Daycare
“ On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, noted as a day to serve others , I was able to participate in Success Circles’ Hackathon. A number of people volunteered for the day to share their knowledge in the areas of finance, marketing, business planning, and more via Zoom. It was a great opportunity to not only gain valuable insight into how to enhance my business concept but also was a great way to network with others in and outside of my field. I highly encourage those who are serious about elevating their business to join Success Circle and their next Hackathon.”
La Shay Green, Soul Bites
Thank you for pulling together this program! It was so great to work with Bryon. He was so helpful and we plan to keep in touch. Monday's event exceeded my expectations. I'm looking forward to additional programming from IFEL.
Stef Alicia McCalmon, SAM
We're All In This Together
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The small businesses we love need our help to survive.
Don't delay! Join the fight to save our small businesses.
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The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL), founded in 2002, is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports economic development through entrepreneurship. We are experts in creating and implementing small business programming in support of larger economic development objectives. Our services and programs help ambitious “every day” entrepreneurs gain access to the knowledge, networks, and capital necessary to succeed in business.