Preparing for your Intake?
Your application has been approved! Now what?
Now that your application is approved, the next step for you is to meet with a member of our Client Relationship Team.
WHAT IS THE INTAKE? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR MY BUSINESS?
What is the Intake? Why is it important for my business?
The intake is an opportunity for you to learn more about Start Small Think Big’s services and how we operate, and for us to learn more about you and to better understand your current business needs. You will speak with a member of the Client Relationship Team who will help to assess your business’ current marketing and financial needs. Together you will prioritize what services will be the most beneficial to start with. Please note that there will be a separate intake for legal needs if your business is located in NY or CA.
I have been asked to upload documents before scheduling my intake. Why? How do I do that?
This means that we need some additional information to determine your eligibility for services. As our mission at Start Small Think Big is to support businesses with limited access to resources, we sometimes require documentation to verify that our clients are eligible according to our SSTB Eligibility Policy.
You should have received a link to upload one or more of the following documents:
- Proof of Household Income - Ex: Personal Tax Return (if you filed taxes last year), Pay stubs, or Salary letter (for all income earners in the household)
- Proof of Household Assets - Ex: Screenshots or bank statements showing current balances from all household checking, savings, investment, and business bank accounts (if any), as well as any non-primary homes/properties
- Proof of Business Sales - Records showing at least $500 in recurring sales in the last 3 months Ex: Screenshots, Venmo, PayPal, Square, paper receipts, bank statements showing deposits, Shopify, etc.
We will not share this documentation or use it for any other purpose. We use a secure portal and all documents are deleted after the intake is complete. You are welcome to screen-share these documents during the appointment or blackout personal information such as account number(s) or social security number(s).
You will receive the link to schedule your Intake as soon as you upload the requested document(s)!
What services do you provide?
We work with corporate and community partners to build a network of skill-based professionals who provide free finance, legal and marketing services for entrepreneurs who are looking to grow a sustainable business.
See our Expertise page for a list of our services.
*Please note that the wait times for our services are dependent on volunteer capacity, and we cannot guarantee specific timelines for our services.
What services DON'T you provide?
We do not provide the following:
Funding: Start Small Think Big does not provide business financing or capital . The financial services we offer are bookkeeping, financial projections, and pricing strategy.
Support with taxes: We cannot assist with taxes or provide specific tax-related advice.
Litigation and eviction support: Our legal volunteers are unable to support clients with litigation, conflicts, or anything going to court. While we provide general counsel around lease agreements, we do not provide direct litigation support for eviction cases.
Business mentorship: We do not provide general business mentorship or counseling. Our network of skills-based volunteers can assist entrepreneurs with specific marketing, legal, and financial services. Similarly, please note that we cannot ensure entrepreneurs will be paired with a volunteer within a specific industry. For networking opportunities, please check out our events page to register for upcoming “Ask an Expert” networking sessions.
*Please note that we will try our best to make recommendations to additional resources if any needs you mention during intake fall outside of what we can provide.
What if I only want legal services?
Your business must be registered in NY or CA in order to receive SSTB Legal Services.
You will complete an intake with a member of our Client Relationship Team And then Legal Intake with an expert from our Legal team.
After my intake, when can I expect to receive services?
While SSTB Entrepreneurs are waiting to be matched with a volunteer, we suggest taking a look at our events page for upcoming workshops and webinars hosted by industry experts!
Meet Our Client Relationship Team
ELLIE STEPHENS
SENIOR CLIENT RELATIONSHIP DIRECTOR
Hi! I’m Ellie. I was born in Australia but grew up in Washington, D.C. I have been able to travel around the country for the past two years while we have been working remotely, and I think my favorite place has been Vermont in the Fall! I am always on the quest for the best burger, I love supporting any and all small local businesses that I can, and you can typically find me with a coffee in my hand. If you hear howling in the background, it is most likely our new basset hound puppy, Huckleberry!
KATIE PAOLILLO
SENIOR CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Hi! My name is Katie. I am originally from Florida but I have lived in New York for over 5 years! I graduated from the University of Florida where I studied Finance, Spanish, and International Business. I also worked with small business owners and future entrepreneurs in Perú for a year where I was able to become fluent in Spanish and learn firsthand the challenging yet rewarding nature of running a business! I have a younger brother and three dogs, and I love to try new foods (& sauces!), travel, and be outside! I can’t wait to learn more about you and your business!
YAZMIN HERNANDEZ
CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Hi! My name is Yazmin. I was born and raised in CD Juarez Chihuahua, then moved to San José, CA. My parents have been small business owners since I could remember, which has allowed me to experience the struggles and joys of being an entrepreneur first hand. I love cooking and wish one day to have a business of my own. I have a teen son who is a mini entrepreneur at heart, so I really enjoy watching him try to make a business out of anything!
JOSÉ GARCIA
CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Hey there! My name is José. I am from Columbus, OH and currently residing in Brooklyn, NY. I graduated from Emerson College in Boston (my place of birth!) with a degree in Marketing Communications and Entrepreneurial Studies. I also created a business plan and participated in my school’s Business Pitch competition and won 3rd place! Being your own “boss” and serving the Latinx community has been my family’s motto as we continue to grow our Small Business Empire in Ohio. I am fluent in Spanish and love cooking, traveling, and meeting new people! I’m excited to get to learn more about you and your business soon!
MIRIELLE WRIGHT
CLIENT RELATIONSHIP COORDINATOR
Hi, I’m Mirielle! I’m based in the Washington, D.C. area and my background is in government and nonprofit work. I’m deeply passionate about empowering small businesses and the communities they serve. I can’t wait to learn more about you and your business!