How Collaboration Catalyzed JumpStart’s Impact Over 20 Years 

The challenges and opportunities to catalyze economic transformation through entrepreneurship have been my focus at JumpStart for the last 20 years. As I prepare to pass the torch to a new CEO, I want to highlight entrepreneurship’s significant role in reshaping our economy and how this progress has only been possible through collaboration. JumpStart helps

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DE&I In Our DNA: A Farewell Interview with Lamont Mackley, JumpStart’s Retiring Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Community Engagement Officer

Lamont Mackley’s unwavering commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has shaped both his personal and professional life. Over the course of thirteen years at JumpStart, Lamont has consistently emphasized the importance of integrating DE&I into our very core. As our Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & Community Engagement Officer, Lamont has seamlessly merged his personal

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3 Digital Marketing Enhancements to Try This Spring

Spring is finally here, which means it’s an egg-citing time for growth and renewal—especially for small businesses—and now is the perfect opportunity to take a fresh look at your digital marketing strategy and explore new ways to attract and engage with customers online. Digital marketing is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and attention.

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Rise Above the Rest: How To Outrank Your Competitors Using Google Ads

Pop quiz: How do new customers find your business? Other than word-of-mouth from your devoted clientele (you have that, right?) and any traditional advertising campaigns you’re running, chances are high that you were Googled. Nowadays, it’s absolutely essential for small businesses to rank high in Google search results to attract new customers and grow their

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Don’t Wait, Update! Why Small Businesses Need to Optimize Their Google Business Profile Right Now

Stop me if you’ve heard this one… Knock, Knock. Who’s there? Nobody… because your customers couldn’t easily find you online. **Pause for uproarious laughter.** As a small business owner, you hopefully already have a website and social media presence to promote your products or services online. However, these tools alone aren’t necessarily enough to attract

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Celebrating the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As the nation comes together to honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, I am taken back to a moment in history that helped shape my life and my purpose. I was ten years old living in Arlington, Virginia on August 28, 1963 when Dr. King marched in Washington D.C. and delivered

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Profit Plan vs. Budget: Creating A Profit Plan with Purpose

As a small business owner, chances are you’ve been told countless times how important it is to have a business plan or a budget for your small business. Budgets are the worst! Hopefully, you don’t use one for your business. What you really need is a Profit Plan which shows how your business is going

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5 Content Ideas to Post on Your Business’s Social Media Pages

Struggling to figure out what to put on your business social media pages? Regularly updating your social media is important to help keep your business fresh in people’s memory and on their feeds. Here are 5 fantastic ideas that will help you stay active on Facebook, Twitter, and more.   1. Share Industry News No

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What (or Who) Will It Take to Build a Thriving Entrepreneurial Ecosystem?

Earlier this year, the White House delivered a proclamation designating November National Entrepreneurship Month. I wholeheartedly believe in the power of entrepreneurship to transform communities. Reflecting on nearly 20 years as CEO of JumpStart, a nationally recognized entrepreneurial support organization, I’ve experienced first-hand the impact entrepreneurs have on the cities and regions they call home. Startups

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