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BizGrow Elevate

Economic Justice

Click here to apply.

In addition to our free life-changing legal support, LCR | BizGrow is now expanding our support on business operations and revenue generation for entrepreneurs. 

Goal: Supporting small businesses with non-legal projects

BizGrow Elevate tackles the non-legal challenges small businesses face and helps to create thriving businesses. Unlike entrepreneurs who can afford to pay consultants, our clients do not have the resources to address ongoing operational issues. With our new program, we will dive in with entrepreneurs and get them to the finish line to grow their business.

This work complements our workshops by helping entrepreneurs implement what they learned directly in their business. We are here to bring what they learn full circle: to help with implementation, systems creation, and developing materials to support growth.

We will help to get systems in place, or tackle an issue that’s holding an entrepreneur back from stability and growth.

In 2024, we will work with 12 small businesses as we pilot this more in-depth, high-touch capacity-building work. 

Key Elements:

  • In-person “business checkup” meeting: LCR visits the business, tours the space, and works with the entrepreneur to complete our “Healthy Business Checklist” (which will be updated and revamped for 2024) to tackle challenges and examine opportunities for growth. 
  • Develop a project plan with benchmarks and goals for our work together. Together, we will determine the scope of need and set the timeline. 
  • Connect to free legal support as needed.
  • 2-3 hour-long follow up visits to work through project plans and needs as they arise.
  • Final write-up and discussion with business in-person to ensure full implementation (presentation to staff, management, or investors as appropriate). 

Examples:

  • Create or update checklists for daily tasks that owner or employees carry out – from opening and closing checklists, to weekly financial reporting and analysis, to customer follow-up.
  • Visually map out the sales process and create easier-to-use spreadsheets and systems for process tracking.
  • Develop materials needed for fundraising and revenue generation – from a business plan for a grant application, to a pitch deck for investors.
  • Map out flow for ordering inventory, materials, supplies or ingredients – create inventory lists, clarify par levels and roles throughout the process; help train staff on new models for ordering.

Selection Process:

Entrepreneurs should complete an intake form, available here.

Small businesses may be invited to join Elevate based on BizGrow capacity, business needs, and alignment with the mission of LCR | BizGrow.

Sample Project Plan: 

Project Goal:

Path to Completion:

Meeting #1:

  • Business Owner follow-up steps:
  • BizGrow follow-up steps:

Meeting #2:

  • Business Owner follow-up steps:
  • BizGrow follow-up steps:

Final Deliverable:

General Expectations for Entrepreneurs:

  • Attend all pre-planned meetings with BizGrow staff.
  • Be a communicative partner who is active in the process of planning and gathering information, and implementation.
  • Commitment to seeing the project through, including strong interest and dedication to executing action steps.