The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Dallas/Fort Worth District Director Herbert Austin honored 17 small business owners during the SBA Dallas/Fort Worth T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined Executive Training Program graduation.
Two of the graduates are from Garland businesses: Vachele Franklin, Executive Director, Frog Academy and Dr. Demarius Howard, CEO, Support Staff on Demand LLC.
This is the 15th year the SBA Dallas/Fort Worth District Office has offered this advanced training.
It is an executive-level training series designed to develop strong leaders and accelerate the growth of high-potential small businesses across the United States.
The SBA’s T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined provides complimentary entrepreneurship education and training for executives of high-performing small businesses. Over six months, this intensive executive entrepreneurship training series includes in-person coaching, self-paced instruction, mentoring and classroom time. The program allows participants to work with a network of experienced subject matter experts in core business topics. The topics include accounting, business strategy, marketing and human resources customized for the unique needs of small business owners.
Since its inception as E-200 in 2008, SBA’s Emerging Leaders has trained more than 8,000 small business owners. That created over 11,000 jobs, generated nearly $1 billion in new financing, and secured over $4 billion in government contracts.
For the 2023 SBA Dallas/Fort Worth Cohort, SBA worked with Corinna M. Hagen, a local Business & Leadership Coach, owner of Zaradigm to facilitate and serve as coach during the six-month curriculum.
“The THRIVE Emerging Leaders Reimagined Executive Training Program is invaluable. It is a great program with no cost to the small business owner but yields significant benefits. I want to commend this year’s participants for their commitment. I have no doubt, the small business owners will be successful in scaling their businesses and creating jobs in their communities. I had the pleasure of visiting some of these businesses for Small Business Saturday and I was amazed at their drive and personal stories that led to creating these successful businesses”, said Herbert Austin, SBA’s DFW District Director.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.