For architect and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses alum Farooq Ameen, design isn’t just about buildings—it’s about people. As founder of City Design Studio, Farooq has spent years shaping spaces that reflect the stories, needs, and identities of the communities they serve. From converting an old factory into a transitional facility for unhoused residents to designing a public plaza in Inglewood, his work is rooted in care, vision, and deep local ties. His creative approach is fueling growth—earning City Design Studio national recognition as a 2024 IC100 Award winner and establishing Farooq as a trusted voice among his peers. At ICIC’s Innovation Summit, he shared forward-thinking insights on how small businesses can embrace AI in ways that strengthen, rather than compromise, their mission. Read More

Tamara Keefe grew up hand-churning ice cream with her family—now, she’s serving up joy across the country through her award-winning company, Clementine’s Ice Cream. With help from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, Tamara found the tools to scale with heart, transforming a deeply personal passion into a fast-growing, nationally recognized brand. From boozy flavors and small-batch quality to inclusive community spaces, Clementine’s isn’t just about dessert—it’s about connection, purpose, and building something magical. Read More

At ICIC, we know the power of storytelling in driving impact, and our partnership with Riveo Creative exemplifies this. Led by ICCC and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) graduate Elin Barton, Riveo Creative has played a vital role in producing high-quality videos for ICIC’s IC100 special awards, Impact Report, and the 2024 What’s Your Why? campaign—bringing the stories of small business owners to life. Read More

Storytelling has the power to challenge perspectives, amplify voices, and drive real change—and EmVision Productions, recently named the 2025 SBA Massachusetts Microenterprise of the Year, is leading the way. Co-founded by Dr. Tariana V. Little and Jonas Meyer, this innovative media agency blends creativity and health sciences to advance social justice and empower communities. Their Social Impact Storytelling™ approach helps organizations amplify their missions. Committed to “giving forward,” EmVision supports under-represented communities through pro bono services, grassroots collaborations, and scholarships. As they continue expanding their reach, EmVision proves that intentional storytelling has the power to create lasting change. Read More

Inner City 100 (IC100) award winner Tony Ehrbar turned a bold career shift into a thriving business by applying innovative thinking to the tent industry. After acquiring American Tent in 2014, he reimagined traditional approaches, growing the company from three employees to 40 and expanding into a 110,000-square-foot facility. His commitment to developing cutting-edge solutions—such as rethinking tent anchoring methods and incorporating revolutionary sustainable materials into his products—has fueled rapid growth, setting new industry standards. Tony believes innovation is key to sustainability, business success, and community impact. His forward-thinking strategies have helped American Tent scale significantly, earning national recognition as an IC100 award winner. Read More