Apply to the Next Cohort
Learn about our ongoing enrollment and how you can apply to the next round of the program.
We Mean Business
SMBI was designed to help underrepresented womxn entrepreneurs gain access to business development support and startup capital. We don't just teach business theory and leave entrepreneurs to figure it out on their own. We guide entrepreneurs through the business development pipeline with a combination of mentorship, self-paced learning, live instruction, collaborative learning, and mindset coaching.
A Whole Person Approach
You can't make a million dollars in your business without a Million Dollar Mindset. Throughout the program, we discuss key mindset shifts that are required to run a successful business. We also teach confidence-building strategies and offer weekly wellness tips to promote a balanced lifestyle for busy entrepreneurs.
Accountability at Our Core
If you're looking for an accountability partner, look no further. We set the bar high and expect participants to take ownership over their individual success. Our no-opt out belief leaves little room for excuses and lots of room for exponential growth. Starting a business isn't light work but we will be with you every step of the way.
Leveraging Mentorship to Accelerate
In SMBI, we Accelerate the Learning Curve for new business owners by leveraging the experience of seasoned mentors. Our mission is to help womxn entrepreneurs generate revenue as soon as possible.
How We Do It
The She Means Business Incubator Program is an all-in-one resource to bring your business idea to fruition. Our team of business development experts’ will work with you for 6 weeks to develop your business, minimize startup fees, and attain the initial success you desire.
To achieve any form of success as a young business womxn, you need to learn from others that have already been there and done it. This is what mastery requires. Our research-proven methods are what many six-figure entrepreneurs used to make them successful in their business ventures today.
The She Means Business Incubator 6 week program will help you move from the ideation phase to the startup phase faster. We focus on establishing a solid business foundation based on a core mission and pillars of individual success.
The next cohort launches in January 2021 and participants will learn how to develop profitable and scalable business models. All participants must dedicate 5-10 hours per week to successfully complete the program. The program structure is meant to be time-efficient and accessible to business owners with full-time employment.
The SMB Incubator is our do-it-together group program for self-motivated entrepreneurs who want to create a business both on and offline in a convenient way. By following our curriculum, you will take concrete actions in building a sustainable business enterprise. Our program facilitators work with a wide range of sectors to refresh and assist women grow their businesses and become outstanding bosses. Please note our 6-week program is not suitable for current businesses that have been in operation for more than 3 years and have earned more than $10,000 in total revenue.
Application Deadline for Cohort 3:
Get Connected
Our cohorts are comprised of ambitious womxn entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas. When you join SMBI you get to connect with like-minded womxn who motivate each other to reach their goals.
Live Instruction
Live Virtual Masterclasses that occur from the comfort of your home. We use state of the art technology that helps you feel like you are in a real classroom.
Closing the Funding Gap
We work to connect participants with funding agencies and resources throughout the program. A sizeable SMBI grant may also be available based on program funding. Grant funding is not guaranteed and is based solely on the viability of your business.
Program Timeline
Application Deadline
December 15, 2020
Enrollment Closes
December 31, 2020
Cohort 3 Orientation
January 14, 2021
Cohort 3 Begins
January 18, 2021
It's Time to Make Boss Moves
Don't waste another year trying to figure it out on your own. SMBI mentors and facilitators are standing by ready to assist. You don't have to do business alone. It's time to lean on a network of experts and finally build the business of your dreams.
SMBI Cirriculum
Week 1: Frame Your Genius
The first week of the program is all about Ideation. Participants learn how to create a business framework, hone in on their business mission, and create systems and flow that will become the foundation of their business for years to come.
Week 2: Find Your Core
In week two, we take a deep dive into targeted research. Participants learn how to build customer profiles and use data and metrics to drive their acquisition of customers.
Week 3: Brand Your Way
The art of storytelling becomes crucial as participants work on branding, copywriting, and the overall aesthetics of their business. This week’s curriculum is about more than the psychology of color, we teach participants how to connect with customers for longterm brand affinity.
Week 4: Market & Flow
In week 4, we introduce disruptive marketing strategies and effective practices for online marketing. At the halfway mark, participants use essential data and outcomes from the previous weeks to formulate a 30-day marketing strategy.
Week 5: Sales on 100
It’s all about the bottom line! We’re talking sales, operating budgets, revenue, taxes and profit. If it has a dollar sign attached to it, we will cover it this week. Get ready to make serious money moves.
Week 6: Win Over Investors
The last week of the program is dedicated to scaling your business with the introduction of financial products, investors, and strategies for honing your business pitch. In a culminating pitch presentation, we put participants to the test to show off what they’ve learned over the last six weeks.
Video Testimonials
Don't just take our word for it, listen to our past participants!
- Full Payment
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$
1499
One -Time
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- Program Fee
- $200 Seat Deposit Included
- Partial Payment
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$
525
3 -Month Payment Plan
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- Program Fee
- $200 Seat Deposit Included
- Full Payment
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$
2000
One -Time
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- Program Fee + Incorporation Service
- $200 Seat Deposit Included
Frequently Asked Questions
You've got questions, we've got answers!
Yes, our mission is to create profitable womxn-led businesses.
We do not accept illegal businesses of any kind into the incubator program. Additionally, MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) businesses are not eligible.
SMBI primarily accepts businesses in the following sectors: E-Commerce, FinTech, B2B, Consumer Products (e.g. Beauty/Cosmetics)
SMBI accepts only 1% of Brick & Mortar businesses. For these types of businesses, having tech integration is highly recommended.
Nope, there is no application fee required for this program.
We are looking for individuals with great ideas, passion, and professionalism. Women accepted into the program will not only represent their brands, but they will represent GBNYC and our partner organizations.
The 6-week Incubator Program is a good fit for:
- Early-stage entrepreneurs that are in the ideation phase or have been in business for less than 3 years and/or have earned less than $10,000 in revenue
- Ambitious women founders willing to make a financial investment in their business
- Self-motivated individuals who are able to dedicate 5-10 hours to self-paced learning and attend virtual masterclasses & webinars
- Women who possess a growth mindset and take responsibility for their own failures and successes.
The She Means Business is a hands-on approach for women who have business ideas but don’t know how to get them off the ground. In this program, we believe in “holding hands” because we want to give women access to business ownership at an accelerated rate. We don’t think it should take you months or years to formulate a business and make your first dollar. All you need is 6-weeks of focus and a fantastic team behind you! Once, you complete the program, you’ll gain access to our Alumni Network, ongoing events, and future SMBI Weekend Retreats.
Nope! We believe women entrepreneurs should retain their own equity (as much as possible). Even if you create a billion-dollar company, we won’t ask for a share.
A business incubator is a company that helps new and startup companies to develop by providing services such as management training. Business incubators are catalyst tools for either regional or national economic development. SMBI specifically is on a mission to help Black & Latinx founders start profitable businesses that aide local economic growth.
Incubators support startups entering the beginning stages of building their company. The startups possess an idea to bring to the marketplace, but no business model and direction to transition from innovative idea to reality.
Accelerators advance the growth of existing companies with an idea and business model in place. These programs build upon the startups’ foundations to catapult them forward to investors and key influencers.
SMBI is a fee-based program. Program fees vary from one cohort to the next due to our sliding fee scale based on inflation and the current cost of living. On average, SMBI is more affordable than 80% of the incubators and accelerators active in the U.S.
As of October 2020, the tuition is $1499 which includes a $200 seat deposit. To inquiry about the current program fee, please contact us.
Yes, applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply and gain entry into the program.
No, our 6-week program operates in real-time. We don’t currently have the capability for participants to start and stop the program. We encourage participants to be 100% ready to join the incubator. If you feel like you are not ready at the moment, feel free to apply for a future cycle.
Our Enrollment Process
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. If an application is approved, the candidate will receive a request to complete a virtual interview.
- Once the virtual interview is complete, applicants will receive a final decision within 24-48 hours.
- Accepted applicants must submit the $200 non-refundable seat deposit within three (3) business days.
- The full program fee is due three (3) weeks before the cohort start date.
SMBI is very interactive and requires a 5-10 hour commitment per week.
Program Schedule
Masterclasses Every other Saturday
Webinars Every other Wednesday
Labs Every other Saturday (directly after Masterclasses)
Clinics Two (2) Wednesdays
Office Hours Varies (by appointment)
Mentor Check-ins Every week (based on Mentor/Mentee availability)
Mindset Coaching Weekly
No, we do not offer refunds. All program fees including the seat deposit are non-refundable. Instead, we offer a Boss Guarantee. We’re confident that you will see improvements in your business development within six weeks. Not only are we confident, but we will help you celebrate. Dinner, movies, flowers, on us! We don’t want you to opt-out of success, instead, we celebrate you during the small and big wins. Earn incentives for completing bonus challenges, supporting other women, and going above and beyond. We recognize amazing SMBI participants for their contributions to the community and overall dedication to growing their business. We send posh gifts (like jewelry, gift cards, and swag) or reward you with 1:1 coaching time.
