Local Business Leader Accepted into Prestigious Goldman Sachs

PORTLAND, Maine - Linda Varrell, founder and President of Broadreach Public Relations, a strategic communications firm in Portland, has been accepted into the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program (#10KSB). The program aims to help entrepreneurs create jobs and stimulate economic growth by connecting them to education, capital and business support services.

Developed by Babson College, the nation’s top-ranked entrepreneurial school, the #10KSB program partners with local colleges to deliver a practical business education focused on developing skills that can be immediately integrated into business application. During the program, small business owners will learn to recognize new opportunities, embrace practices that increase business growth and ultimately develop a customized growth plan for their business.

As a progressive small business owner, Varrell’s anticipated success with the program is to likely result in significant growth for Broadreach. This past year was the firm’s most profitable year yet and #10KSB graduates report an average growth of 106% in business revenue and 114% in job creation only 30 months after completing the program. As a regional economic development leader, Varrell also intends to incorporate her experience into those efforts for a broader impact.

“Creating jobs is one of the most rewarding aspects of starting and owning a business,” said Varrell “We’ve experienced record growth over the past few years with a solid team and recognized brand so the prospect of working with some of the nation’s best to help take this company to the next level is an incredible opportunity.”

Structured like a fast-track MBA program, Varrell will join a nationally-sourced class of peers for 12 weeks of business education, which will be supplemented with an integrated portfolio of business services and professional development. Educational topics will include negotiation, marketing, and employee management, with practical application in legal and financial clinics, and discussions expanding access to small business funding and capital.

#10KBS graduates are more likely to report revenue growth and job creation than other U.S. small businesses. Results are seen 6 months after graduation, with firms continuing to grow well beyond 2 years after the program. The $500 million investment provided by Goldman Sachs has led to over 8,000 program graduates and generated collaboration among small business owners worldwide.

For more information on the 10,000 Small Business Program, please visit http://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/10000-small-businesses/US/index.html#overview.

About Broadreach Public Relations
Broadreach Public Relations, located on Portland, Maine’s historic waterfront, provides high-level strategic communications, public affairs and marketing services to some of New England’s most highly regarded firms and organizations. The Broadreach team takes pride in helping clients build their credibility, raise their profile and expand their reach. www.broadreachpr.com