Inspiring the whole economic ecosystem, one city at a time 

Inspiring Business Institute (IBI) develops an economic ecosystem bringing together city government, business associations, and chambers to provide a comprehensive certified platform for small business acceleration. 

Bring us to your city

We help businesses of all sizes and experience levels move forward and become funding ready.

Our program helps small businesses gain the connections and tools to accelerate, thereby strengthening the overall community & building up the economic infrastructure.

Step 1: A business will fill out our comprehensive needs assessment.
Step 2: We’ll develop a customized program including providing the necessary partnerships and resources for your city based on the assessment.
Step 3: We’ll lead the program and assist businesses in implementing their learning materials

Your success is our priority. Offering our program in your city means you will:

✔ Gain connections to our range of diverse suppliers

✔ Be able to easily connect small businesses with local resources and services

✔ Connect with your small business ecosystem 

✔ Get your small businesses ready to receive funding 

✔ Spark economic development which will create jobs, increase wages, and increase local spending.

✔ Increase the tax base which will support schools, police, infrastructure, and overall community development.

✔ Empower entrepreneurs who will generate more jobs than any other sector of the economy.

Sample Program

Each course curriculum is customized per city. We have based on a needs assessment they fill out at the beginning of our process together. We then create a bundle product of partnerships and resources to bring together your custom program.

Bring us to your city 

We look at the full picture. Our program is equipped to educate businesses on:
✔ Marketing ✔ Coaching ✔ Workshops ✔ Entity Creation
✔ Business Plan ✔ Bookkeeping ✔ Certification ✔ Finance

Sample Program

  • Introductory Workshop (Startup Binder)
    Workshop (Coaching & Mentoring)
    8 week Program

  • Business Coaching Sessions (4)
    Mentoring (4)
    Entity Creation (Workshop)- EIN and Business Bank Account
    Business Plan Lean (Workshop)- Template given for a full business plan

  • Business Coaching Sessions (4)
    Mentoring (4)
    Networking   (Workshop)- Community Resources given
    Marketing Plan (Workshop)- Pitch Deck

  • Business Coaching Sessions (4)  
    Mentoring (4)
    Financial Workshop (Budgeting, Business Credit, P & L)

Case Study: City of Mishawaka

In our successful pilot program, we are working with the Mishawaka government to run the Mishawaka Business Institute through which we provide businesses with what they need to receive state and federal funds.

"The social impact of Inspiring Business Institute is critical to local entrepreneurs, local businesses, that really are the driving force of small communities in our downtowns especially."

Bryan Tanner, St. Joseph County Council

  • Sonya Smith, Cofounder / CEO

    Over 30 years of experience including senior leadership role within the United States and abroad as an expat. During her career she has coached and partnered with c-suite leaders including Presidents, Chief Operating Officers, Chief Financial Officers, and Senior Vice-Presidents across multiple industries. Sonya has created high performing teams within health care, pharmaceuticals, and finance. She is an experienced leader who has owned and invested in properties in three states including condominiums, commercial, single family residences, and construction while reducing tax liabilities.

  • Cindy Cohen, Cofounder / CEO

    Cindy Cohen RN, BS, BA, Founder, President of C2 Your Health Women’s Initiative Inc., brings with her 40 years’ experience in healthcare & 22+ years as a business owner. In 2018, she launched the segment of her business which supports women-owned businesses with the goal of increasing access to mentorship, entrepreneurship education, success strategies, leadership development, confidence building, health, and wellness interventions. The ultimate goal is to create the opportunity for business owners to develop an economically sound business.

Let’s improve our city’s ecosystem, together.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Copyright, Inspiring Business Institute, LLC