What We Do

From Creating Access to Capital to Empowering Small Business for Big Change.

The Community Investment Collaborative initially grew from the personal experience of Toan Nguyen, owner of C’ville Coffee during the recession. After numerous conversations, a workgroup of 48 people with nonprofit, business and education backgrounds came together to better understand the financing difficulties faced by micro-enterprises in our region. It became clear that small businesses lacked access to appropriate financial solutions and a comprehensive support system necessary for business success.

Financial Management

Our Financial Management Program offers tools that build responsible personal record keeping habits and support entrepreneurs in making better business decisions.

Financial Management

FMP provides bookkeeping and record keeping support to startups or growing businesses. Our proven strategies allow our clients to work with financial coaching processes, and help support better financial habits.

Mentoring

CIC mentors help entrepreneurs work through specific challenges with their businesses) or provide general coaching and support, based on the entrepreneur's identified goals.

Mentoring

The purpose of CIC's mentoring program is to help entrepreneurs accomplish their goals and build relationships between experienced business professionals and entrepreneurs for guidance and moral support. CIC mentors support and guide entrepreneurs in making business decisions, setting goals, and establishing professional networks. They provide honest and informal feedback, exposure to new ideas, theories, practices, and people, and professional support and encouragement.

Entrepreneur Workshop

Whether you have an established brand or an emerging concept, our 16-week Entrepreneur Workshop will help you get your business where you want it to be!

Entrepreneur Workshop

Take your business to the next level! This hands-on course enables entrepreneurs to determine whether their business is viable, develop an initial plan for launching or growing their business and learn the fundamentals of how to act on that plan.

After a study of existing microenterprise models throughout the country, numerous conversations with regional micro-lending organizations, local lenders, and local service providers, CIC identified the elements essential for microenterprise success in our local community. CIC would not only offer financing but also education, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

Each component helps to cultivate a local business network that connects aspiring entrepreneurs with existing entrepreneurs, city officials with nonprofit service providers, and state agents with local businesspeople, bringing together the impressive experience and expertise found in our community.

CIC launched in 2012. Our program is built on four pillars designed to help entrepreneurs start or expand their business:

  • An established and proven business-education program
  • Extensive mentoring, peer discussions, and ongoing support
  • Startup financing or ongoing microfinancing to qualified graduates
  • Networking within and across the community

We foster entrepreneurial success through training, next-level growth, and community networking. Read more about our program success and our entrepreneurs who are open for business.