When organizations work together with a shared mission, the results can create lasting change. That is exactly what happened through the Groundwork Series: From Vision to Viable Business, a three-part educational series created through a collaborative partnership between the Community Loan Fund, the Albany Black Chamber of Commerce, Pursuit, and the Capital Region Chamber’s BIPOC Business Growth Initiative.
The series was developed to provide entrepreneurs with practical, actionable business education that strengthens the foundation of their companies while connecting them with trusted resource partners committed to their long-term success. With a small registration fee attached to each session, the goal was to encourage business owners to not only show up in the room but also invest in the success of their business.
The initiative began in January 2026 with a Business Resource Panel featuring experts in commercial banking, accounting, human resources, and business law. Entrepreneurs were able to ask questions directly to professionals, gain valuable insight, and begin building relationships that extended beyond the event itself. Building on that momentum, the Groundwork Series was launched as three interactive sessions designed to guide business owners through every stage of strengthening and growing their businesses.
Session One: Laying the Foundation
The series started on March 5, 2026, with Laying the Foundation, an intensive business planning workshop focused on helping entrepreneurs transform ideas into intentional action. Participants explored the essential components of a successful business plan, including defining their mission, vision, target market, and value proposition. Whether attendees were just beginning their entrepreneurial journey or operating without a formal business plan, the session provided practical tools to create a roadmap for sustainable growth. Entrepreneurs left with greater confidence, a clearer understanding of business planning, and a stronger foundation upon which to build their companies. Business plan templates, resource guides and actionable parent referral were also a key takeaway for attendees.
Session Two: Marketing With Intention
On April 2, 2026, entrepreneurs returned for the next step in the series, Marketing with Intention, where the focus shifted from building a business to communicating its value. Rather than relying on inconsistent marketing efforts or random social media posts, participants learned how to develop intentional branding strategies aligned with their business goals. The workshop emphasized identifying ideal customers, creating authentic messaging and selecting marketing channels that support sustainable growth. Guest speakers included Michael Roach, owner of Michael Roach Creative and Brianne Galli Senior Vice President and Marketing Director at Pursuit. Business owners walked away with a better understanding of how strategic marketing can strengthen brand recognition while creating meaningful connections with customers.
Session Three: Organizing for Growth
The series concluded on April 30, 2026, with Organizing for Growth, a session dedicated to preparing businesses for expansion. Led by Jennifer Massey, CEO of Integra HR, entrepreneurs explored management fundamentals, workflow development, team structure, delegation, and organizational systems that reduce burnout while supporting long-term success. Participants learned how thoughtful leadership and intentional organization can position businesses for growth without requiring owners to carry every responsibility alone. The session reinforced one of the central themes of the Groundwork Series: successful businesses are built intentionally not accidentally.
Investing Back Into Entrepreneurs
The most inspiring aspect of the Groundwork Series came after the final session. Rather than retaining registration proceeds, the partnering organizations pooled every dollar collected from participant registrations and reinvested those funds directly into one of the entrepreneurs who demonstrated exceptional commitment to the program. The recipient was Marlia Fontaine Weisse, CDP, owner of Elev8 Workforce Solutions, LLC, who attended the most sessions throughout the series. Her commitment to continuous learning throughout the Groundwork Series exemplified the type of entrepreneur the program was designed to support. This unique approach transformed registration fees into supportive investment in entrepreneurial success and reinforced the joint mission to not only educate business owners but also help them build stronger businesses through meaningful support.
During her testimonial following the series, Marlia shared how the Groundwork Series provided valuable knowledge, meaningful resources, and practical guidance that she could immediately apply to her business. She highlighted the value of learning alongside other entrepreneurs, appreciated the expertise shared by each presenter, and emphasized that every session built upon the previous one, making the series beneficial whether participants were launching a new venture or preparing an established business for its next stage of growth. She encouraged other entrepreneurs to take advantage of future offerings, noting that the knowledge, networking opportunities, and actionable guidance made the investment of time well worth it.
Elev8 Workforce Solutions, LLC is a workforce development and consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations strengthen their teams through professional development, strategic workforce solutions, and customized training. Led by Marlia Fontaine Weisse, CDP, the company partners with businesses and organizations to develop people-centered strategies that improve workplace performance, leadership, and long-term organizational success. Find out more about Elev8 Workforce Solutions on their website.
Photo Credit to Tyiesha Ford of Fullness of Joy Photography
