Our Expertise at Start Small Think Big
Our Expertise

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. 

At the heart of Start Small Think Big, Inc. lies a deep commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, equity, integrity, acceptance, and inclusion. We proudly stand with small business owners who embrace a wide spectrum of customers, clients, and employees, celebrating all identities. These core principles not only shape our approach to entrepreneurship but also define our collaborative work ethos.


Legal-services-Start-Small-Think-BigLEGAL 

ASSISTANCE

Discover how our pro bono Legal Program connects entrepreneurs with legal experts. Our experts specialize in helping entrepreneurs choose the proper entity structure, or review commercial leases. They can advise on intellectual property and employment issues, review and draft contracts, and other legal issues. We can only provide legal services in New York and California in 2024.

Legal volunteers meet with entrepreneurs who seek advice or assistance with formalizing the legal structure of their businesses, including for example, by forming legal entities (e.g., LLCs or corporations); drafting operating agreements or bylaws; and creating partnership terms between business partners. Volunteers will also provide entrepreneurs with general advice and information concerning ongoing corporate governance obligations and responsibilities. Legal volunteers will assist entrepreneurs with drafting the appropriate corporate document and/or preparing and filing appropriate documents with the applicable authority.

Legal volunteers will conduct a “knockout” search of client’s business / product name, logo, and/or slogan; review the results with the client; and provide basic advice on trademark registration advantages and process—including a non-binding estimate of the likelihood of successful registration, generally focused on questions related to the level of similarity to existing marks and/or “mere descriptiveness” of the proposed marks.

Legal volunteers will review clients’ websites and edit existing or template Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for use on clients' websites. The templates include extensive practice notes for the attorneys which, in conjunction with a training, allow virtually any corporate counsel to ask the client questions and determine from their responses what the appropriate edits are and explain the resulting contracts to the clients.

Legal volunteers review/update a client’s existing contracts or assist them with drafting new agreements. If the client has an existing agreement, each volunteer team will receive the agreement in advance of any client consultation, and during the consultation, will review the agreements with the client, explain key terms, and, where appropriate, provide suggested revisions or flag areas for potential negotiation. If the client needs a new agreement drafted (e.g., a wholesale agreement), the legal volunteers will meet with the client to discuss their contract needs and proposed business arrangement, and assist with drafting an agreement that the client can use going forward.

Small business entrepreneurs often face challenging legal decisions related to their first hires. Legal volunteers will provide one-on-one counsel to businesses facing these decisions. Most consultations will focus on the appropriate classification of the business’s current or prospective workers, and may also include counseling clients on threshold issues regarding their obligations and responsibilities as an employer—including with respect to wages and benefits.

Marketing-services-Start-Small-Think-BigMARKETING

CONSULTING

Discover how our Marketing Program empowers entrepreneurs to generate leads, cultivate connections, and effectively communicate with their customers and supporters to drive sales. Our experts specialize in tailored email and social media marketing strategies; leveraging brand identity and messaging and a host of other invaluable marketing services. Elevate your brand's visibility with our comprehensive marketing support.

By the end of the session, you'll have the insights needed to refine your website's user experience, copy, and branding, ensuring your digital presence is effectively aligned with your business goals.

During the consultation you will review the efficiency of your brand's voice and visual identity by assessing your branding from your target audience's point of view and receive recommendations for improvement.

Review the efficiency of your current email, social media, and other miscellaneous digital mediums in order to maximize your online awareness and improve consumer targeting & lead conversions.

Finance-services-Start-Small-Think-Big FINANCE
SERVICES

Discover how our Finance Program connects entrepreneurs with professionals who will share their expertise so small business owners can increase their financial literacy. They can provide guidance for entrepreneurs who need help setting up solid economic systems, bookkeeping, growth planning, projections, and cost analysis. *We cannot assist with taxes or provide specific tax advice

Assistance calculating the cost of production (Cost of Goods/Services Sold) and understanding how much a product or service contributes to paying overhead and/or owner’s salary at various price and sales levels.

Assistance understanding whether the business can afford a new expense (e.g. hiring, loan, new commercial lease.)

Assistance setting prices and understanding which existing or proposed revenue streams are the most profitable.

Assistance developing 1-3 year financial forecasts for a business plan/raising capital.

Assistance developing 12 month financial forecasts that align with income goals.

Assistance choosing an appropriate system, support to implement the system, and training to understand how to classify financial transactions.

Assistance getting business financial records organized and up-to-date.

Small Business Spotlights

Cassandre Davilmar
Hector Castillo Carvajal
Nancy Rosales
Lamont Bransford-Young
Fredrick Daniels
Edouard Massih
Tammeca Rochester
Katlyn Algeria
LaParis Phillips

Cassandre Davilmar

Lakou Cafe

Cassandre Davilmar opened Lakou Cafe to host local art shows, open mic nights, cultural conversation groups, and concerts for the community. But in March 2020 sales decreased and they had to close the doors due to COVID-19. Later that year, Cassandre received a one-time $5,000 grant to add to their PPP loan. Cassandre worked with Start Small Think Big’s finance program on projections, planning, and bookkeeping. Our legal and marketing programs assisted them with conducting business online, lease review and negotiation, entity selection, trademark, and digital marketing strategy. Ultimately, Cassandre saved their business and reopened Lakou, experiencing a 38% revenue increase.

Hector Castillo Carvajal

Don Carvajal Cafe

Hector Castillo Carvajal is serious about coffee, so they created Don Carvajal Cafe to share their enthusiasm for craft roasted coffee beans, carefully sourced from hardworking farmers in Latin America, with the world. But when the pandemic hit, farmer’s markets closed, and Hector’s sales dropped. Hector reached out to Start Small Think Big, received a one-time $5,000 grant, and worked closely with our finance program on projections and planning to become a sustainable business. After attending our marketing workshops, Hector started selling cold brew and making home deliveries, all while planning for the future. Currently, Hector plans to complement their e-commerce business with a new brick-and-mortar location in the Bronx.

Nancy Rosales

Pepitos Paletas

Longing for their family and Mexican culture, Nancy Rosales, created Pepitos Paletas— and began selling fresh homemade popsicles. While a freezer is usually required to deliver paletas without compromising the product quality, Nancy invented a unique freeze box that can store the paletas at the desired temperature for up to 8 hours. Due to COVID-19, business sales decreased and Nancy sought assistance in pivoting their business model. Nancy attended Start Small Think Big’s marketing workshops and developed a membership subscription plan which enabled the business to keep going.

Lamont Bransford-Young

Fingersnaps Media Arts

Learning the art of DJ mixing is a passion Lamont Bransford-Young transformed into a business when they launched Fingersnaps Media Arts in San Francisco, California. Lamont’s DJ school offers classes on skill and technique to all ages. When Lamont was searching for a studio, they reached out to Start Small Think Big for assistance. Our team conducted a business audit and helped organize Lamont’s finances, which enabled them to secure a new school and studio space.

Fredrick Daniels

Barcuts

Frederick Daniels’ Barcuts expanded from hair care and styling to becoming a one-stop-shop for grooming and professional portrait services. When the pandemic started, Frederick self-taught themself photo and video editing, partnered with Start Small Think Big’s finance program on businesses projections and planning, and attended many of our marketing workshops. With the new skills they learned, Frederick was able to increase income and plan for the future. Now Frederick is looking to expand their business to Washington, D.C., and California.

Edouard Massih

Edy’s Grocer

Born in Lebanon, Edouard Mannish brought their modern Mediterranean palette to the concrete jungle of Brooklyn when they launched their private chef and catering business. But like many small business owners, COVID-19 impacted Edouard’s business model, forcing them to close their catering company and open a storefront, Edy’s Grocer. During the transition, Start Small Think Big helped Edouard with bookkeeping and digital marketing for their new business. Edouard also was awarded a one-time $5,000 grant, which enabled them to hire more staff and increase business revenue by 66%.

Tammeca Rochester

Harlem Cycle Fitness Studio

Tammeca Rochester’s indoor cycling business Harlem Cycle saw revenue decreases of more than 50% after they were forced to close their studio’s doors in March 2020 due to the pandemic. Tammeca had to get creative and quickly pivot their business model online in order to stay afloat. Tammeca knew they needed financial and legal assistance to transition their business online. Start Small Think Big helped facilitate a one-time $5,000 grant to create digital classes, and our legal program provided them with contract assistance to ensure protection of their unique business model. Harlem Cycle was able to reopen its physical location while Tammeca continues to expand their virtual business and develop new revenue streams.

Katlyn Algeria

Hitched Company

When the pandemic forced the nation to shut down, events and in-person gatherings were halted. Katlyn Algeria had just launched Hitched Company, a unique bartending experience business—by March 2020 sales declined by more than 50%. If they didn’t make some changes, Katlyn’s business would close entirely within just a few months. Katlyn was down to their last, so they reached out to Start Small Think Big. They received a one-time $5,000 grant and our marketing program assisted with the creation of a marketing plan focused on promoting their outdoor events business. Katlyn also developed a product line of dehydrated cocktails to sell online. Over the next year, Hitched Company increased revenues over 440% from 2019.

LaParis Phillips

Brooklyn Blooms

Before connecting with Start Small Think Big, LaParis Phillips opened their Brooklyn Blooms floral boutique with a mission to serve their neighborhood with uniquely curated blooms while maintaining sustainable practices. Soon after opening their first location, LaParis had goals to scale their business and provide their beautiful flower arrangements to other surrounding communities. However, they felt frustrated and defeated because while they had the vision and passion to grow their business, they didn’t have all the business resources required to do so. During the pandemic, Brooklyn Blooms received a one-time $13,000 emergency relief grant. With our support, Brooklyn Blooms’ business revenue increased 150% from 2019 to 2020 and continues to evolve. LaParis and their team were able to open a second location, and they have plans to expand and spread their love of flowers worldwide.