Maria O’Connell’s Graduation from Goldman Sachs Program an Investment in Her Company, Community

By

Maria O’Connell

With her graduation from 10,000 Small Businesses, an educational program created by Goldman Sachs as a vehicle for helping entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity, Maria O’Connell has joined an exclusive national network of business owners.

O’Connell launched her Express Employment Professionals franchise in 2015 to help as many people as possible find good jobs by helping as many clients as possible find good people. Since then, she and her Malvern-based team have partnered with a variety of businesses, across many industries, to provide a full range of staffing services to help ensure their maximum flexibility and cost savings.

O’Connell enrolled in 10,000 Small Businesses as a means of investing in not only her company but also the community. A philanthropic initiative of Goldman Sachs, the 12-week program aims to provide 10,000 small businesses with assistance to build a growth plan – ranging from business and management education and mentoring to access to capital and business support services.

“‘Best of the best’ is where it starts for me when thinking about my experience with 10,000 Small Businesses,” said O’Connell. “I’m grateful to Goldman Sachs for the scholarship, the experts who make this program possible, and my fellow courageous entrepreneurs. This program is 100 percent focused on business growth and community impact.”

Designed by Babson College, the nation’s top-ranked entrepreneurship school, the program’s curriculum focuses on practical skills that small business managers can immediately put into action. Throughout the course of the program, participants gain the skills needed to recognize new opportunities, embrace practices that increase business growth, and ultimately develop a customized growth plan for their business.

The program’s curriculum is organized into nine modules and four clinics geared around small business management training, each of which includes classroom discussion, peer-learning exercises, skill building, and experiential applications. Classroom activities are complemented by an integrated portfolio of business services, including one-on-one business advice, legal and financial clinics, and networking opportunities.

“The program is a rigorous academic experience, but not an academic exercise,” said O’Connell. “All the application is on your business and the growth plan that results is ready to implement. The peer learning and relationships in the 10,000 Small Businesses network are invaluable. In every way, this has been a gift and a sweet spot in such a challenging time – brainpower and heart coming together creating the magic!”

Click here to learn more about Express Employment Professionals.

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