Small Business Corps
When small businesses grow, local communities thrive.
Small Business Corps (SBC) mobilizes the skills, energy, and creativity of Georgetown business students to catalyze the growth and profitability of small businesses in local communities across the greater Washington D.C., region through project-based fellowships.
The summer 2024 cohort of SBC student consultants and small business owners during the launch celebration at Georgetown McDonough.
Powered by the generous support of Bank of America, PNC, Boston Consulting Group, the Georgetown University President’s Office and the McDonough School of Business Dean’s Office, and multiple Georgetown alumni, the SBC helps local businesses thrive.
How the SBC Model Works:
- Partnership: SBC staff engages in initial discussions to understand our small business client’s strategic objectives and challenges.
- Scoping the requirements: We then collaboratively define the scope of work, project goals, timeline, and deliverables.
- Match consultants: We allocate student consultants who best match the project needs.
- Deliver: Consultants execute project plans, communicate regularly, and deliver final outcomes to the small business clients. They are coached by consultants from Boston Consulting Group, as well as Georgetown faculty and senior advisors.
Milestones to Date:
- 18 DMV-area businesses served
- 40+ projects completed
- High client satisfaction ratings in post-program surveys
- 9,000+ consulting hours
- 38 student consultants
Areas of Expertise:
- Marketing and sales strategy
- Market expansion
- Financial resource management
- Systems/Operations/process improvement
Get Involved:
SBC Testimonials:
Tae-Gu Kimchi
“The student’s market research provided insights that we were able to apply to our farmers market operation, which allowed us to increase our revenue by 25% by the next week.”
Patrice Cunningham, owner of Tae-Gu Kimchi in Washington, D.C.
Eighty2degrees
“This project went very well. The student consultants were great to work with, very friendly and accommodating, and in the end, produced helpful recommendations and a comprehensive analysis of our business and what we need to do moving forward. All in all, we are grateful for the level of work and effort that went into helping our small business!”
Mike Englert, principal, Eighty2degrees
Studio Lyew
“I valued the opportunity to review and discuss the findings of the student consultants, which were crucial for our organization’s growth. I am now looking forward to implementing the recommendations of the students more effectively. I appreciated how the consultants shared their presentations multiple times before finalizing their recommendations, allowing for meaningful collaboration throughout the process.”
Rich Lyew, principal, Studio Lyew
Cap8 Doors and Hardware
“Thanks to the SBC student consultants, they analyzed our business like detectives. They impressed us with their attention to detail and fresh ideas.They gave us a clear plan for our company’s growth. We were so impressed that we decided to come back to take up another project. If you’re a small business owner feeling stuck, Georgetown’s student consultants are truly exceptional.”
Lisa Williams, founder and principal of Cap8 Doors and Hardware