How Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program Helped This RI Entrepreneur Grow His Company
How Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program Helped This RI Entrepreneur Grow His Company
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a program that helps small businesses grow and create jobs by providing them with greater access to education, financial capital and business-support services. Through the program, small business owners will gain practical skills in topics such as negotiation, marketing and employee management that can immediately be put into action.
One Owner's Story
"So Beehive Handmade was started in 1999 — I started along with my wife Sandra basically out of this little studio we had in our farmhouse," said Dowd. "We started with a very small collection of about six products that were specifically kitchen items. We had the heart-shaped measuring spoons that we brought to trade shows and they were super successful and we realized we could kind of start a business based on this little product line."
"We’ve grown that line to include baby gifts, wedding gifts, we do a lot of holiday ornaments, we still do some jewelry and ceramics," he continued. "We’re based now in Warren on Water Street where we have a showroom and we have our manufacturing in the back of the house."
"Just about four years ago, I participated in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program — it was at a time where we’d been in business for close to 20 years," said Dowd. "I was in a little bit of a rut, I guess — and the program really helped rekindle my enthusiasm for the business and created opportunities to grow the business."
"It was really kind of, well, they like to call it an MBA boot camp — it’s only 12 weeks, and they take you through everything from financing, managing employees, identifying a growth opportunity for your business, and then completing this workbook where you do market research and you talk to customers and really plan out a strategy for your growth opportunity," he added.
About Program
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is designed for business owners who have a business poised for growth. We look for applicants who are passionate about growing their business, creating jobs in their communities and who generally meet these criteria:
Owner or co-owner of a Rhode Island-based business.
Business in operation for at least two years.
Business revenues of more than $75,000 in the most recent fiscal year.
Business with a minimum of two employees (including the owner).
Apply by February 10, 2022 HERE
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is hosted by the Community College of Rhode Island and classes take place at their Warwick campus.