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.

Participants pay $199, which represents only a portion of the program’s $10,000 tuition cost. The remainder is subsidized by Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. Scholarships will be made available on a limited basis.

We are now accepting applications for our second class of Scale to Excel.
Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on January 22, 2022.

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

“This was one of the best educational experiences I have ever had. I have an MBA from LaSalle University, completed executive education programs at Dartmouth College, Tuck School of Business (two of them), Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management and University of Virginia, Darden School of Business. This allowed me to work ON my business as opposed to IN my business.”

– Larry Fairley, Marketing Resource Solutions, LLC, President/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

Kelly Office Solutions

Staunton Capital, Inc.

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

Ralph Lauren