Small Business Coaching

The City of Cambridge will offer the Cambridge Small Business Coaching Program to established Cambridge small services and/or retailers who are eligible based on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG/HUD) criteria. To check your business' eligibility, click here.  

The Small Business Coaching Program offers eligible business owners up to 4 hours of free, one-on-one coaching from industry experts. Coaching sessions will be coordinated with our industry experts.  Our experts can help with:

  • Financial Planning – organizing financial records, building strong banking relationship, understanding key financial statements, and more
  • Succession Planning – action plan development for ownership transitions (including to employee ownership)
  • Restaurant/Food Business Support  –  including guided self-assessment, food business financials, and understanding post-COVID customer patterns

The Small Business Coaching Program entails two steps:

Step I - Attend a Winter-Spring 2025 Workshop

  • City of Cambridge will offer workshops to small businesses in the areas of Financial Planning, Succession Planning, and Restaurant/Food Business Support in the Winter-Spring of 2025.
  • These workshops are open to all Cambridge small businesses regardless of CDBG/HUD eligibility but are a required first step for eligible businesses seeking one-on-one coaching.
  • Workshop dates, please visit our workshops page. 

Step II - Apply for Coaching

Step III - Connect with your Coach

  • Once your application is received, reviewed and approved, you will be emailed or called to set-up a time for up to 4 hours of coaching.

Eligibility

The Cambridge Small Business Coaching Program is offered to established Cambridge small services and/or retailers who are eligible based on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG/HUD) criteria.  To check your business' eligibility, click here. 

Please note - only one coach per business.**  This program is a first come, first served program. This Program will reopen in Winter 2025.

For More Information

If you have any questions about the Small Business Coaching Program, please contact Jared Staley at jstaley@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4616.