PLAN FOR GROWTH Spring 2025 Application

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Plan for Growth: An 8-Week Business Management Program for Brooklyn Entrepreneurs

Hosted by SBIDC - run in partnership with Skopos Collective.
🚀 Over 150+ businesses have graduated since 2016!

Are you a Brooklyn-based manufacturer, maker, or creative entrepreneur looking to build your business toolkit, expand your peer network, and scale your business for sustainable growth? Join us for Plan for Growth, SBIDC's flagship multi-week small business management and leadership program.

Over eight classes, you’ll gain hands-on instruction from experts in leadership, finance, marketing, sales and strategy, equipping you with the skills and confidence to take your business to the next level. You’ll also develop a Growth Plan—a roadmap for your business’s future—and present it to your peers for feedback and accountability.

📅 Program Duration: April 23rd – June 25th, 2025 (see exact schedule below)
⏰ Schedule: Once a week on Wednesdays, 9am – 1pm
📍 Location: Creative Workshops at Industry City, Brooklyn, NY
📚 Time Commitment: 5 hours/week (includes homework). Participants must attend all classes.
💵 Program Fee ($): $500 for non-SBIDC members. $400 for active SBIDC members. Fee includes one-year SBIDC membership. We offer payment plans as well as sliding scale for participants experiencing economic hardship.

How to Apply

📅 Application Deadline: Monday, April 7, 2025
📺 Learn more by watching an info session from a previous cohort here
📩 Questions? Contact Yujia Hu at yhu@sbidc.org or (718) 965-3100 x121
⏳ This application will take approximately 20–30 minutes to complete. Use this time to reflect on where your business stands today and envision where you want it to be in the future.

➡️Interested in future Plan for Growth cohorts? We host them 2x a year. Complete the interest form here to receive updates about Fall 2025 and beyond.

🔽 SCROLL DOWN TO APPLY! 🔽

ABOUT SBIDC

For over 47 years, Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation (SBIDC) has been a driving force for economic growth and opportunity in Gowanus, Red Hook, and Sunset Park. We support industrial businesses with the resources they need to thrive, connect local residents to quality careers, and advocate for a strong, equitable, and sustainable working waterfront that fuels New York City's economy. Learn about all the free business services SBIDC provides and how we can help you and your business grow and thrive.

ABOUT SKOPOS

Skopos Collective partners with locally owned, mission-driven manufacturers, producers, designers, creatives, and retailers to build profitable, values-driven businesses. We help them gain financial clarity, strengthen operations, and create businesses that are both sustainable and fulfilling.

SPRING 2025 CURRICULUM + DATES

All classes will take place on Wednesdays, from 9:00am - 1:00pm at Creative Workshops at 33 35th Street in Industry City, Brooklyn. Instructors to be announced soon.

Weds, Apr 23
CLASS 0 💻 VIRTUAL Introductory Session Kick off the program by meeting your cohort, setting expectations, and getting an overview of what's ahead.

Weds, Apr 30 Class 1 🚀 Leading with Purpose & Post-Class Cohort Lunch
Jump into PFG by revisiting the origins of your business, refining your core values, and how to think strategically when leading your company forward.

Weds, May 07 Class 2 🎯 Customer Profiles & Journeys
Identify your ideal customers and map their journey—what they need, why they choose you, and how to optimize their experience to build loyalty and increase sales.

Weds, May 14
Class 3 📢 Marketing Strategies & Budgets
Marketing isn’t just about selling—it’s about building relationships. Learn how to craft a compelling brand story, connect with your audience, and choose marketing strategies that feel true to your business and ideal customers.

Weds, May 21 Class 4 💰 Managing your Money Better
This class will help you demystify your business finances. Learn the essentials of accounting and how to analyze the story your numbers tell to make informed financial decisions with confidence.

Weds, May 28 Class 5 📈 From Break-Even to Profit
Go beyond the basics to analyze profitability, pricing strategies and financial forecasting—so you can make proactive, growth-oriented decisions.

*** No Class: Week of June 2nd ***

Weds, Jun 11 Class 6 🤝 B2B Sales & Business Development
Learn how to build a strong B2B sales strategy that aligns with your growth goals. We’ll refine your business development approach to create sustainable, high-value partnerships.

Week of June 16 VIRTUAL Class 7 📌 Pitch Perfect Practice
In virtual sessions, you'll get the opportunity to meet with our amazing Program Instructors to perfect your Growth Plan and to get ready for your presentation.

Weds, Jun 25 Class 8 🎤 Growth Plan Presentations!
Pitch your Growth Plan to the cohort, share your business vision and gain valuable feedback as you step forward with confidence in your next phase of growth.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive business community. We encourage entrepreneurs from all backgrounds to apply and join a supportive, values-driven cohort.

Priority consideration is given to:

Businesses based in South Brooklyn
Businesses engaged in manufacturing, product-based industries, in any sector
BIPOC-, Immigrant-, Woman-, Veteran-owned, and MWBE-certified businesses

We’re looking for committed entrepreneurs ready to invest time and energy into growing their businesses. To participate, you must:

Engage fully in the program – Attend all sessions and dedicate at least 5 hours per week, including time for coursework and implementation.
Be the Founder/CEO – The primary participant must be the business owner, though exceptions may be made for senior managers. Key staff members may also join sessions relevant to their roles.
Commit to attending all sessions and working on strategies for business growth (minimum weekly time commitment is 5 hours, including homework time)
For early-stage businesses, have a proof of concept and sales traction.

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