Focus on Business Growth: My Journey with the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses Program
IN A HURRY? HERE’S THE BOTTOM LINE
If you’re serious about scaling your business, it’s time to prioritize your professional development. This doesn’t have to mean putting your business on hold. With the right systems, strategic delegation, and an empowered team, you can focus on growth while still maintaining a successful business.
GOT A MINUTE? HERE ARE THE DETAILS TO CONSIDER
As business owners, we're constantly seeking opportunities to grow and scale our companies in meaningful ways. Sometimes, these opportunities keep presenting themselves until we can no longer ignore them.
This was exactly my experience with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. The opportunity kept appearing in conversations with clients and peers until I knew it was time to take action.
I'm excited to share that I've been accepted into this prestigious program! I can’t wait to take you behind the scenes of why I made this decision and how it aligns with my vision for company growth.
What is the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program?
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is essentially a mini-MBA, with your own business as the case study. This intensive three-month program provides comprehensive education in key business areas, including operations, finance, marketing, and leadership.
What sets this program apart is its practical approach to business education. Rather than theoretical concepts, participants work directly on their own business challenges while creating a customized five-year growth plan. The program combines:
One-on-one business advising
Networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs
Access to a national network of business experts and peers
Tools for creating a detailed growth strategy
Participation requires approximately 15-20 hours a week, which is a significant time commitment, but the potential impact on my business growth makes it a worthwhile investment of my time.
Why I Decided to Take This Next Step
Sometimes the best opportunities present themselves multiple times before we recognize them as signs pointing us in the right direction. Earlier this year, conversations with several clients who had completed the program sparked my interest. Having witnessed their transformations firsthand – including one client I supported as a VA during her program journey back in 2015 – I saw the tangible impact it had on their businesses.
There were actually three key factors that ultimately drove my decision to apply:
Structured Growth Planning
One of my professional skills that needs improvement is long-term strategic planning. While I have clear ambitions to scale Melissa Swink & Co. beyond the million-dollar mark and expand our service offerings, particularly in AI integration, I recognize the need for a more structured approach to achieving these goals.
Job Creation Impact
A core aspect of my mission is creating meaningful employment opportunities. Our team currently consists of highly skilled professionals who support numerous small businesses and nonprofits. The program's focus on job creation aligns perfectly with our vision of expanding this impact.
Continuous Learning Environment
While I participate in mastermind groups and work with business coaches, this program offers a unique combination of structured education and peer learning. The opportunity to collaborate with other growth-minded entrepreneurs while receiving expert guidance was too valuable to pass up!
Preparing Your Business for Growth Opportunities
Taking on a program requiring such a heavy time commitment while running a successful business requires careful planning. Here's exactly how I’m ensuring seamless operations during this growth phase:
Marketing Continuity
Rather than scaling back our marketing efforts, we've already planned content through January 2026. My marketing team has mapped out everything from social media content to podcast topics, ensuring consistent communication with our audience.
Financial Systems Delegation
We've implemented significant changes in our accounting processes, all designed to remove me as the bottleneck. These include:
Automated client invoicing systems
Streamlined team payment processes
Increased outsourced bookkeeper responsibilities
Expected Impact on Business Growth
I’m excited that this program will not only expand my mind, but also my company. I see it as a strategic investment of my time in the company's future. Here are a few areas where I’m especially excited to see growth:
Strategic Vision Development
While my team and I have always had growth ambitions, the program will help crystallize these into actionable plans. By developing a detailed five-year roadmap, we'll have clearer metrics and milestones to guide our scaling efforts.
Enhanced Service Delivery
The operational insights gained through the program will directly benefit our clients, too! As we refine our processes and expand our capabilities, we can offer even more comprehensive support to the businesses and nonprofits we serve.
Team Growth and Development
One of my biggest commitments is to create quality jobs for others. The program's focus on sustainable growth will help create more opportunities for talented professionals to join the Melissa Swink & Co. team, ultimately expanding our capacity to serve more organizations with our services.
Creating a Foundation for Sustainable Growth
The next three months represent an exciting chapter in the evolution of Melissa Swink & Co. While I'll be dedicating significant time to the program, our commitment to excellent service remains unwavering. In fact, we've strengthened our foundation to ensure continuous growth:
Empowered Leadership Team
My senior VA team has been fully equipped to provide advanced client support and guide team members in project execution. They are also ready to maintain quality control standards and foster client relationships.
Streamlined Operations
We've implemented systems to ensure business continuity, including automated marketing workflows, enhanced financial processes, strengthened team communication channels, and improved project management systems.
Looking Ahead
Of course, my focus on growth isn't just about Melissa Swink & Co. It's also about creating more value for our clients and opportunities for our team. The insights and strategies gained through this program will inform how we scale our services thoughtfully and create more work opportunities. The lessons I learn will also improve our client support systems and help to innovate our service offerings.
Your Business Growth Partner
As I embark on this exciting journey, my commitment to supporting your business growth remains stronger than ever. Whether you're seeking to scale your operations, streamline your processes, or build a stronger team, my team and I are here to help you create space for more growth in your business.
Ready to explore how we can support your business growth? Let's connect for a zero-pressure consultation to discuss your needs and vision for the future! During our conversation, we'll:
Explore your current business challenges
Discuss your growth objectives
Identify areas where virtual support could create more capacity
Map out potential solutions tailored to your needs
Schedule your consultation today, and let's discuss how we can help you create space for more growth in your business!