What is InnerCity Entrepreneurs?
InnerCity Entrepreneurs (ICE) is Boston’s premier business development program designed to help minority-owned and/or inner city located businesses go to the next level. Owners of existing businesses learn through a combination of peer-to-peer learning, coursework, access to an extensive and exclusive network of professional resources (ICE Private Sector Network of 40 prominent business experts), executive coaching, and consistently using their own businesses as the focus of the case study.

What Does an ICE Class Look Like?
An ICE class consists of 15 presidents, CEO’s, and owners of existing businesses with employees and/or contractors. These businesses run the gamut from retail to profes­sional services and manufacturing and generate annual revenues of $250,000 to $12 million. All of these businesses have leaders who share a common goal of taking their companies to the next level. Classes have included a mail order bakery with national sales, manufacturer of climbing systems, publisher of a Spanish language newspaper, IT service providers, general contractor, ethnic grocery store, jazz club owner, auto collision repair company, event planner, and international clinical drug trial project manager.

What Can You Expect to Get From ICE?
You can expect to step back from the daily operation of your business, conduct a comprehensive and objective assessment of your company, set personal and professional goals, hone your skills in the areas of finance, marketing, human and physical resource management, and craft a strategic growth and action plan to take your business to the next level. You will present the plan to your peers and panel of experts from the ICE Private Sector Network. Everything you do in this program is practically oriented towards learning, executing and assessing outcomes. You will develop a level of trust and receive a degree of support and positive reinforcement rarely experienced in any technical assistance programs.

What Do ICE Entrepreneurs Have to Say About the Program?
My experience with the ICE course has been definitely worthwhile. The readings assigned and discussed during the course have been all relevant to the day to day operations of my business. Furthermore, the class discussions with the peers gave me more insight of how different issues could be approached in the best interest of my company. Throughout this ICE certificate, I was able to put in practice and implement different policies and changes into SIPLAS Research as I was learning the theory during the course. In addition, knowing that at any time I could seek advice from any of the experts of the PSN gave me a piece of mind to know that I had access to this type of counseling. Finally, I definitely recommend the course for any entrepreneur trying to grow his/her business.
Juan D. Gutierrez, President, SIPLAS Research Organization Inc.

For the first time in the life of my company, I have a real plan. Not the slapped-together guesswork plan I usually come up with, either. Through coursework, peer-to-peer interactions, and access to the private sector network, the InnerCity Entrepreneurs program helped me build a strategic growth plan that I know I can execute. Before ICE, I could barely identify a proper goal much less achieve one. The class module 'Setting and Achieving Goals' was absolutely invaluable in setting me on the right track; I now use the techniques literally every day and already see the results on my balance sheet.
Jeff James, President, Red Galoshes

When we first started our business we found several sources of help and advice, but after a year or so there were no affordable resources to be found for more advanced advice. The Inner City Entrepreneur Program provided the guidance we needed for the next steps in development. The class information, readings, advice from the Private Sector Network, and the probing, thoughtful discussions with my classmates have changed my thinking from solving the immediate problems to strategic planning. The members of our class have built caring, supportive relationships that help each of us analyze our business problems and celebrate each little success. I feel more confident in running our business, and taking growth steps, because of the changes this program inspired in me.
Barbara T. Flockhart, President, Publishing Solutions Group

They say it’s lonely at the top. Well, it’s absolutely terrifying when you’re at the top and responsible for payroll, profitability, customers, vendors, and pretty much your entire career. That’s why the Inner City Entrepreneur program is so incredibly valuable. Grouped together with fellow business owners and guided by a business expert – you realize that you are not alone. Using your business as the subject, you work interactively with other business owners to focus your mind and your energies to improve your company. It is a great experience that is incredibly worthwhile. I recommend the program not just because of the terrific impact you will receive from your peers but also for the unmatchable access to the Private Sector Network. The PSN is a collection of business professionals who make themselves available to you when you are in the ICE program. The PSN when combined with the classroom experience is invaluable. If you are serious about improving your business you need the ICE Program. Ronn Garry Jr., Vice President, Operations, Tropical Foods


Would it be helpful to you to:

• Receive industry information from experts in your field
• Learn creative financing and funding alternatives
• Find unique and often fast track marketing techniques
• Receive free legal advice from Boston’s top law firms
• Learn business techniques from university business professors
• Become recognized as an industry leader by receiving free press
• Learn what level your company is at and how to get to the “next level”
• Share the accounting practices and methods used by successful companies
• Share business challenges and receive “on the spot responses”
• Learn the most effective hiring techniques
• Find a way to measure your company’s progress on an ongoing basis
• Make long-term connections with professionals throughout New England and around the country

You will receive all of this and more if accepted to ICE 2006!!

ICE Report Card