Inner-City Capital Connections (ICCC) helps small businesses

Millions of dollars in capital raised… nearly 200 new jobs created and average revenue growth of more than 130% - these are just a few of the positive results of the business education curriculum provided free of charge to Memphis business owners through FedEx sponsorship of the Inner-City Capital Connections (ICCC) program.

ICCC is a 40-hour tuition-free program designed by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) to help small businesses in economically-distressed areas build capacity for sustainable growth. The program (often referred to as a “mini-MBA on steroids”) provides marketing, finance and sales education, one-on-one coaching  and access to capital and capital providers.

Since 2017, FedEx has provided funding for ICCC programs across the country, helping more than 2,400 small businesses – 200 of those in Memphis – access much-needed capital, create good-paying jobs and support their local communities.

Jamerson Strategic Consulting (JSC) is one of the Memphis businesses that has benefitted from the ICCC program.  The company provides management, planning and training strategies that help business owners reach their diversity goals and enhance their employee development programs. While participating in the ICCC course, the business was paired with a general business coach who helped JSC form a 3-year strategic growth plan, grow their client portfolio and update their financial statements. They are currently in the process of obtaining additional certifications to gain access to a wider network of potential clients and continue their expansion efforts.

ICCC has adjusted its curriculum to prioritize business recovery strategies, and they are sharing information about capital resources available to support small business owners as they recover from the coronavirus crisis. You can check out their Small Business Resource Center, which hosts a wide range of national and local resources aimed at supporting small businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic.