Tri-C Announces Fourth Graduating Class of Cleveland Area Small Business Owners Small Business Owners from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) hosted the graduation of 36 Cleveland area small business owners from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program last month at the Tri-C Metro Campus Advanced Technology Training Center (ATTC).

Allen Lucarelli, lead faculty member for 10,000 Small Businesses at Tri-C, offered brief remarks and John Kropf of Growth Capital Corp. gave the keynote address. In addition, two graduates nominated by their peers shared their stories: Matt Radicelli, founder/owner of Rock the House Entertainment, and Alec McClennan, president of Good Nature Organic Lawn Care.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a $500 million initiative to unlock the growth and job creation potential of small businesses across the United States by providing them with greater access to business education, financial capital and business support services. 

The business owners who graduated represent a wide variety of industries and businesses including manufacturing, catering, marketing and IT services. They spent 12 weeks at Tri-C studying a business and management curriculum designed by Babson College, the top-ranked school for entrepreneurial education, and customized by Tri-C faculty. The curriculum covers topics including accounting, human resources, negotiation and marketing. The program also included one-on-one business advising, accounting workshops and advice from Goldman Sachs’ professionals.

“We congratulate the business owners who are graduating from 10,000 Small Businesses and look forward to seeing them grow and drive innovation in Greater Cleveland,” stated Tri-C President Dr. Alex Johnson. “Cuyahoga Community College is proud to be part of an initiative that combines quality business education with support services to help small businesses sustain economic and employment growth in our region.”

10,000 Small Businesses launched in Cleveland in May 2012, committing $15 million for small business loans, business education and grants for supporting community partners. Additional partners involved in the program in Cleveland include the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE), JumpStart, Inc., the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Urban League of Greater Cleveland. These partners help with the recruitment of small business owners and entrepreneurs in Greater Cleveland and assist in providing technical assistance and business support services. 

For information about the business and management education program, please visit www.tri-c.edu/10ksb. Applications are being accepted and are due on Feb. 18, 2014, for the program beginning in May 2014.

To preview the program, future applicants should attend A Glimpse Inside 10,000 Small Businesses from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, at the ATTC. Call 216-987-3220 for information.