BizGrow

Celebrating our 20th anniversary in 2021, BizGrow provides free legal assistance, business support, and technical assistance to minority, immigrant, and women business owners—ensuring they encounter fewer obstacles and more opportunities.
Growing wealth in historically disadvantaged communities is a critical civil rights issue. For 20 years, we have helped close the wealth gap by fueling equitable economic growth and increasing access to economic justice. Our programs include free legal representation, technical assistance, and workshops for small business owners on subjects such as entity formation, contracts, taxes, leases, and intellectual property.
The small business owners we support have big dreams, but limited resources. From family-owned restaurants to green economy startups, they play an important role in their local communities—helping individuals achieve self-sufficiency, creating jobs, and contributing to the vibrancy of our Commonwealth.
Growing a business takes courage, creativity, and commitment. With our support, local business owners can put down firm roots based on sound advice—and thrive.
This is business law for the public good.
This is economic justice in action.
This is LCR | BizGrow.
BizGrow Success Stories
Each year, we work with hundreds of inspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses. Their success stories embody the heart and soul of BizGrow.
Teresa Maynard graduated from our inaugural FoodBiz 101 series. She came to us with the dream of one day owning her own bakery. After completing the series—as well as participating in our workshops and legal clinics—Teresa achieved her dream and launched Sweet Teez Bakery. Today, her bakery has major contracts with multiple grocery and specialty stores across New England.
Carolina Salinas and Carolina Garcia, both immigrants, enrolled in FoodBiz 101 aspiring to build a business selling Venezuelan arepas so they can share their culture with their new community. At the end of the series, Las Carolinas was born. Fueled by their hard work and determination, Las Carolinas continued to work with us, attending our weekly workshops and using our services to form their entity, draft contracts, and protect their intellectual property. Today, you can find Las Carolinas selling their delicious arepas in Somerville.
Duane Osborn has been attending BizGrow programming and clinics for two years to help develop his cart business, which sells food, souvenirs, and novelty items. During this time, he expanded his operations from a single cart at South Station to multiple locations across several MBTA stations. Recently, he was awarded a contract to sell hot dogs outside TD Garden during Bruins games.
Tiffany Tate is a long-time participant in BizGrow workshops and legal clinics. Over the course of our partnership, she has grown Linger, her online fashion magazine, into an award-winning brand, hired staff, and been featured by media outlets.
Diana and Angelica Cardona are the sister duo behind local favorite ManiNuts and their flagship product—delicious roasted peanuts coated in sesame seeds. The sisters participated in our BizGrow Launch series at Roxbury Community College. Since then, ManiNuts has found great success and now distributes and sells their products at 25 different vendor locations across Greater Boston.
Resources for Small Businesses
We offer a variety of resources for small business owners:
Healthy Business Checklist
Use this checklist to measure the health of your small business.
View the flyer in English →
Mida el rendimiento de su negocio →
Small Business Intake Forms
Use this form to request legal assistance from our BizGrow team, and contact us for support.
Request Legal Assistance (English)
Solicite Asistencia Legal (en español)
Sign up for our small business mailing list!
News and Events
Feb 18, 21
Response to Boston’s Executive Order on Minority ContractorsFeb 17, 21
Legal Action Supporting Small Businesses in BostonFeb 10, 21
Racial Disparities in Boston’s Municipal ContractsJan 06, 21
Opportunities for Small BusinessesNov 30, 20
2020 Annual ReportNov 26, 20
Holiday Gift Guide: Small BusinessesNov 11, 20
Open Letter to Biden/Harris Transition TeamNov 04, 20
The Repair Work Begins NowSep 08, 20
State Improperly Inflates Minority Small Business EngagementAug 27, 20
Reopening Support for Small Businesses in Rhode IslandJul 29, 20
Support for Rhode Island Small BusinessesJul 20, 20
Brewers Trillium & White Lion Support Racial JusticeJul 16, 20
150 Attorneys Support Over 250 Small BusinessesJul 08, 20
30 More Small Businesses Receive Reopening SupportJun 30, 20
Diversifying Public ContractsJun 15, 20
Diverse Small Businesses Receive PPE SupportJun 06, 20
Support Our Life-Changing Legal WorkMay 29, 20
LCR Awarded Cummings Grant