Three Vermont CEOs recently graduated from the Babson Cohort of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, a national program created to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing greater access to education, capital, and business support services (completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program:) Francie Williams Caccavo of Olivia's Crouton Company, Doug Hartwell of Bitybean, and Julie Lineberger of LineSync Architecture completed the blended online and face-to-face program that delivers intensive entrepreneurship training and practical training from Babson’s business experts and peers, alongside educational teams who teach the 10,000 Small Businesses program at community colleges across the country.
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is an investment to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing greater access to education, capital and business support services. With 31 sites across the United States and United Kingdom,10,000 Small Businesses has served over 6,100 small business owners. The program has reached businesses from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC, and has resulted in immediate and sustained business growth for the alumni of the program. Program results show that 10,000 Small Businesses graduates consistently grow their revenues and create jobs at rates that outperform the broader economy. All three Vermont companies have plans for expansion and growing the Vermont economy.
Olivia’s Crouton Company is planning a major expansion into a new facility in Brandon, Vermont. The new facility will allow for 10x its current capacity over the next 5 years. Olivia’s plans to double its workforce over the next 3 years. This move will allow Olivia’s to satisfy the unmet demand for “better for you” croutons in food service and private label markets, at the same time supporting its own branded products. OliviasCroutons.com.
Bitybean, headquartered in Charlotte, VT develops award winning baby products that give parents the freedom to be ready for anything. Their launch product in a comfortable and convenient ultracompact child carrier that weighs only 8 ounces and compresses to the size of a child water bottle. It is convertible for both front and back carry can be used for infants over 3 months and as small as 8 pounds up to 40 pounds. Bitybean is working to expand sales internationally and into larger retailers, and to launch a portfolio of other cleverly compact baby products. Contact: Doug Hartwell, [email protected] (link sends e-mail) 877-273-2334.
LineSync Architecture, listed as one of the nation’s top 1,000 firms, guides clients through the design process, promoting collaborative design solutions with a strong adherence to social and environmental responsibility, and most importantly, delight. A second studio/office is opening in Portland, Oregon, February 2017. Using an expanded Vermont staff, the design and drawing production will take place in Wilmington using Vermont Architects, Designers, and Support Staff. The company plans to add a minimum of 5 Vermont employees over the next 12 months. LineSync.com
Photos courtesy of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses