Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business (MSB) launched the Small Business Corps (SBC), a program designed to support small businesses in under-resourced communities across the Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area.
Patrick McCloskey (GSB ’88) and Chris Pilkerton, acting administrator and general counsel of the U.S. Small Business Administration, founded the initiative to help local businesses facing limited access to capital and other resources. By offering tailored, pro-bono consulting services led by students, the program aims to bridge gaps in resources and empower local businesses to thrive in a challenging economic landscape.
Paul Almeida, the dean of the MSB, said the initiative is a natural extension of Georgetown’s mission to use education and business as forces for good.
“Through our values-based approach to education, we believe business can and should be used as a force for good in the world,” Almeida wrote to The Hoya. “Small Business Corps is a wonderful example of how we bring this mission to life by empowering the next generation of business leaders to seek out complex challenges, harness innovation and use their knowledge and skills to positively impact their communities.”
Micheal O’Leary, senior associate dean of graduate and executive degree programs and the program’s co-director, said the program aims to strengthen the local economy through supporting small businesses.
“Small Business Corps was inspired by the desire to help small businesses succeed and, in the process, help our local DMV community thrive,” O’Leary wrote to The Hoya. “This was especially true after the difficult times small businesses faced during COVID-19 — they are the backbone of the U.S. economy and were very hard hit by the pandemic.”
According to O’Leary, SBC partners with small businesses that meet specific criteria, including operating in under-resourced areas of the DMV and generating over $300,000 in annual revenue.
Working with corporate partners, the SBC pairs student consultants with small businesses to tackle challenges in marketing, operational efficiency and financial strategy. Each student team collaborates closely with their assigned business, crafting a tailored project plan that defines specific goals and measurable outcomes.
Saloni Jain (GRD ’25), an SBC fellow who consulted with a local architecture firm, said the program provided an invaluable opportunity to gain real world experience while making a meaningful impact.
“My responsibilities included identifying and understanding the client’s pain points and then developing strategic recommendations to address them,” Jain wrote to The Hoya. “For my client, who was focused on growth, our strategy aimed to pinpoint a target segment that could provide a steady revenue stream.”
Jain said the hands-on client work was the most rewarding aspect, as it deepened his understanding of consulting and emphasized the importance of a humble approach.
“The most rewarding aspect of SBC has been gaining a deeper understanding of consulting and how it operates,” Jain said. “Personally, it has taught me to approach diverse business challenges in a more structured way.”
“One valuable lesson has been ‘humble consulting’ — understanding that each business owner is highly invested in and proud of their work, which makes it essential to listen carefully and respect their vision,” Jain added.
O’Leary said SBC hones students’ practical skills while also allowing them to apply the knowledge and skills they learned from classes.
“Students apply and refine key business skills they already have in areas such as marketing, talent management, operations, finance and accounting,” O’Leary said. “They also learn and refine their collaborative problem-solving, consulting, project management, and client relationship skills.”
Jain said SBC’s work to support small businesses has a meaningful impact on the local community as a whole.
“By supporting them, we’re contributing to the community’s growth and resilience,” Jain said. “As Small Business Corps Fellows, we’re deeply committed to understanding and uplifting the D.C. community.”
Song Lim contributed to reporting.
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