A thank you to Goldman Sachs

As I reflect back on the past year, it is obvious what a positive impact Goldman Sach's 10,000 Small Business (10ksb) program has had on our company. Every alumni of the program that I have spoken to, has credited Goldman Sachs with helping their business improve and become more successful.

Goldman Sachs has invested 500 million dollars into existing American small businesses, like Get Dwell, with the sole intent of helping them grow. This growth will naturally lead to more hiring which, in turn, will then help create greater, overall economic growth. To Goldman Sachs this is a good thing. Many people, myself included, did not realize the impact that small businesses have on our economy. Since the recession began, 60% of the net new jobs were created by small businesses and 50% of the U.S. population is employed by a small business. Goldman Sachs understood the economic importance of American small businesses and began the 10ksb program after the success of their 10,000 Women program in which they funded and trained 10,000 underserved women around the world with a business and management education.

This recession has been hard for absolutely everyone. If we did not actively realize it before, we all now know the interconnectedness of the American economy, the American people and the rest of the world. Shuttered storefronts and business failures have touched everyone in the Chicago area, the nation and beyond. Goldman Sachs realized that by helping small businesses they would help the economy and the nation. Small businesses that qualify for the program are awarded a scholarship. Basically, a mini-MBA directed on their individual business. Goldman Sachs then pours herculean effort, top talent and valuable resources into these small businesses.  They use the nation's top entrepreneurial curriculum from Babson College. This is all done with no strings attached. Our success would be their success.  

For three months,  my fellow business owners and I attended class at Harold Washington College in downtown Chicago. The exemplary team, led by President Donald J. Laackman, a former Managing Director at Accenture, was impressive. The teaching professionals at Harold Washington College, part of the City Colleges of Chicago, gave us everything they had, every day.  Our cohort consisted of over 30 dynamic small business owners, none of whom had MBA's or business degrees. We were all entrepreneurs, but like everyone else, we were limited by what we did not know. For many, it would be the first time they could actually work "on" their business instead of "in" their business giving them the opportunity to discover more potential. 

 Many of the businesses were minority or women-owned small businesses (M/WOSB) and some were first generation Americans who braved great difficulties to pursue the American dream.  I learned they all shared the same goal as Goldman Sachs. They all believed they could grow, to be a better employers, to be better citizens, to hire more people and were all proud to do their part in growing our economy. And if you saw, what I saw, you would know that american small businesses have the talent and the passion to help get us there.  

Our cohort was also both blessed and saddened to have Neil Pagano, a fellow North Shore resident, as a member.  Neil's entrepreneurial passion, keen mind, and good nature exemplified entrepreneurship and when he passed away unexpectedly during our training his spirit helped inspire us not only to be better business owners but to be better spouses, parents and friends. After Neil's passing, we left a place for him at our table and continued to keep his spirit in our hearts.  

In addition to Goldman Sachs, I would like to thank Bruce Heyman, a Partner with Goldman Sachs who has just been nominated to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Canada, for his hands-on work with us, Mayor Rahm Emmanuel for embracing and supporting the 10ksb initiative in Chicago and Warren Buffett, 10ksb Advisory Council Co-Chair. 

Warren Buffet's involvement prompted my good friend, Robert Coleman to call and persuade me to apply. In addition to Bobby, I would also like to thank Bral Spright the director of Chicago 10ksb , Jason Jacobsohn my 10ksb advisor, Jenny Kaplan VP Goldman Sachs Foundation, Jeff Silver, CEO of Coyote Logistics (who gave our inspiring commencement address) and especially Joanne Stieger who handed me a one of the keys to unlocking growth in my own business.