Scale to Excel

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 for free to participants. The $10,000 tuition cost is subsidized by Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and generous donations from community partners.

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

Apply today!

National Program Results

69% of alumni businesses increased or maintained their annual revenues, with an average annual revenue growth of 36%

80% of alumni businesses reported being profitable

$704 million in government contracting secured by alumni businesses

66% of alumni CEOs stay connected to fellow participants, with 32% doing business with each other

66% of alumni businesses added or retained jobs

(Based on 2018 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

“We are blessed to be part of the Interise family and have access to that directory and that network of like-minded individuals. They say your network is your net worth. Well, we just became a billion-dollar company. That’s the value this program has brought.”

– David Small, Skyline Video Pros, COO

“Scale to Excel has significantly increased my knowledge base about how to operate a successful business that 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 , Piedmont Counseling & Development Services, PLLC, 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. Chanelle James, Scale to Excel Instructor

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

CT Wilson Construction Co.

FORVIS

Kelly Office Solutions

Ralph Lauren

Simply Southern

Staunton Capital, Inc.