This summer, MAP Director Brian Becker traded the virtual classroom for the factory floor. His SME Manufacturing Tour took him to nine facilities across six states and Washington, D.C., from a custom box plant in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, to a chocolate maker in a 125-year-old former ice plant in Rockland, Maine. Brian takes us inside the plants to share what he learned: why one brewery posts its financials on the brewhouse wall, how a pretzel company built a team around inclusion, and why no manufacturer should have to grow alone. Read More

When a contractor took more than $20,000 from her mother and vanished, Vicki Gray built a company people could trust. New Chapter HI Services is now the SBA’s 2026 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year for Massachusetts. The BFG alumna shares three lessons any contractor can use. Read More

Monica Ferracioli learned that growing a business is not about saying yes to every opportunity. It is about knowing which opportunities fit, building the systems to support growth, and creating room for others along the way. Through her experience with Santander’s Cultivate Small Business, Monica gained tools and perspective to make more intentional decisions about the growth of Sorbae Frozen Treats. Read More

Sergio Espinoza, founder of Manka Food Service Consulting and Design, is a shining example of how dedication, culture, and community focus can fuel entrepreneurial success. Starting as a small business providing Spanish-language food safety training, Espinoza expanded Manka into a thriving company that offers consulting, kitchen design, and project management services to food businesses. His deep connection to the Latinx community, alongside his commitment to generational success, is at the heart of his mission. An alumnus of the Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) program, Espinoza credits ICCC with helping him secure vital access to capital and business resources, empowering him to scale his company. In recognition of his success, he was honored as an IC100 award winner, a moment he describes as a validation of his hard work and impact. Today, Espinoza continues to support other Latinx entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the challenges of starting and growing their food businesses. His inspiring journey is a testament to the transformative power of entrepreneurship and community support. Read More

Josue Velney is a former Marine and retired firefighter who is now a full-time real estate developer and the CEO of Velney Development, LLC. He holds a bachelor's degree in construction management and is a licensed unrestricted construction supervisor. Velney's military background has shaped his leadership skills, which he has applied to real estate development. He is committed to improving his community through strategic real estate projects and has a rental portfolio spanning several cities. Velney participated in ICIC’s Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) and Building for Growth (BFG) programs, which provided him with advanced education, coaching, and mentoring. As a result of his hard work and training, his company formed a strategic alliance with Callahan Construction Managers, a full-service construction management company headquartered in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Velney emphasizes the importance of patience and the support he received from the ICIC community in achieving his success. Read More