Scale to Excel

Want to learn more about the program? Contact Kate Phillips at kphillips@greensboro.org.

Take your business to the next level!

Get the executive education, management know-how and business support system you need to grow your established small business through this intensive, cohort-based program. No previous degree required – just the willingness to work on your business, not just in it!

The Chamber is partnering with the national organization Interise on this program to help minority-owned businesses accelerate their growth.

The program is offered to participants for a one-time fee of $200. The total $10,000 tuition cost is subsidized by Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and generous donations from community partners.

Applications are now open for the 2026 class. For more information, reach out to Kate Phillips, Director of Accelerate Greensboro, at kphillips@greensboro.org.

Apply today!

National Program Results

After completing the StreetWise ‘MBA’, businesses experience double digit growth rates, create jobs faster than the private sector, with higher average salary and better benefits.

36% growth rate in revenue
4x the job creation rate compared to the private sector
60% of new employees hired locally at salaries 3% higher than the national average.
$2,400,000 in new contracts, per firm

(Based on 2022 Assessment Data, collected by Interise)

Eligibility

An ethnic minority-owned business

$175,000 – $10 million in annual revenues

One other full-time employee besides the owner(s)

Participant must be the CEO and/or a 51% owner

In business at least 3 years

Willingness and ability to attend class for 7 months, complete mandatory assignments and complete program surveys as requested

Piedmont Counseling & Development Services, PLLC

“Scale to Excel has significantly increased my knowledge base about how to operate a successful business with sustainable growth. Thanks to this class, the future of my business is brighter. This class, along with my colleagues, have taught me that there is no vision too big to attain if I have a well-thought-out plan with goals and make a continuous effort to network with others in my community to learn new information.”

– Monique Crutchfield , Owner & CEO

“Sometimes black businesses are highly underrated but they are excellent in nature. Scale to Excel is a shining example of what happens at black businesses. There’s some magic going on there.”

– Dr. Channelle James, Scale to Excel Instructor

Toussaint Law, LLC

“Scale to Excel will transform your mindset and your business. After you complete this program, it will no longer be ‘business as usual’!”

– Betty Toussaint, President & CEO

Meet the Instructor

Channelle D. James is a faculty member in the Bryan School of Business and Economics at University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She also is the President and Executive Director of Community Ventures Inc. a non profit startup focused on creating social good in the City of Greensboro through entrepreneurship and social innovation. She publishes articles and book chapters based on her research in sustainable/social entrepreneurship, diversity, and community support of entrepreneurship for vulnerable communities. Channelle is a native of Asheville, North Carolina where she developed an early interest in social change and community engagement. Channelle is also the producer of the Sustainable-E Podcast and an upcoming podcast titled “Hold My Purse While I Slay These Dragons,” where she challenges us to deeply examine how popular culture and society impacts our lives.

Circle of Champions

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Forvis Mazars

Carolina Core FC