Some of the most recent graduates of ICIC’s Building for Growth (BFG) program hail from Northern California, demonstrating the program's regional reach and tailored support for local BIPOC-, woman-, and veteran-owned contractors. These business owners, equipped with new skills and strategies, are now securing larger contracts and streamlining operations to significantly grow their impact. LaSonia Mansfield shared, “Thanks to BFG's training, I have achieved many significant milestones, including securing my second prime contract and managing more than three contracts simultaneously.” Reva Murphy of Reva Murphy Associates added, “I needed to listen to the knowledgeable instructors to put into practice their insightful suggestions, business development concepts, and long-range planning skills critical to grow a business.” The program's success, made possible by sponsors like Intuit, The Home Depot, and PG&E, has empowered participants to transform their businesses while fostering a supportive community of like-minded entrepreneurs. Read More

BC Design Haus is a woman- and Asian-owned, design and branding agency based in Pasadena, California. Bernadette Capulong, the company’s CEO, describes herself as an accidental entrepreneur, having turned to self-employment to replace her income after being laid off during the Great Recession. Since the firm’s official launch in 2015, she has led the company to achieve double-digit revenue growth year over year. BCDH was recognized nationally for its growth, appearing for the second year in a row on the Inner City 100 Awards list in 2023. This success would not be possible without Capulong’s persistent focus on building partnerships with her clients and her team. Her nearly decade-long journey as an entrepreneur has taught her five key lessons: seek out a program like Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, understand that owning a small business is a long game, seek advice from a mentor, hire the right people, and be good to your clients. Read More

ICIC's Building for Growth (BFG) program joined ICIC's Inner City Alumni Network (ICAN) in California, where they hosted information sessions in Oakland and Sacramento to launch the 2024 BFG application. In the two years since the program’s start, BFG has served 166 construction firms from 29 states. Graduates from the inaugural cohort saw incredible success, raising $5.4 million in total capital, increasing their bonding capacity by an average of 156%, and increasing their backlog by an average of 101%. The information sessions, which were held in conjunction with small business networking events hosted by ICAN, marked the first time that construction owners had the opportunity to network in-person with program staff and alumni before applying. Steve Lamar, BFG Program Director, shared how the program is specifically designed to help later-stage construction companies reach their next level, outlining the unique aspects of the program, such as classes taught by successful industry practitioners, learning with a group of peers from across the nation, and having access to digital and human resources that remain available after completing the course. Building for Growth alumni also offered comments, eagerly expressing the impact of the program on their companies. Read More

Maria Ureña is a nurse by profession, but these days, she’s the CEO of a full-service auto repair shop. It’s an unusual journey but one that Ureña says has been a natural evolution as she and her husband, Cesar, have built King Automotive Services Inc., into a thriving family-owned business in ... Read More

This piece originally appeared in our 2018 Inner City Capital Connections Impact Report.  Vanessa Faggiolly doesn’t know the meaning of defeat. Starting from nothing, she’s been able to attain a piece of the American dream. Armed with resilience, a deep love for her family, and a lasting connection to her homeland, Vanessa Faggiolly ... Read More