Both will enter Goldman Sachs program
Kevin Cox, General Manager and President of Radio Cleveland, Inc. (R.C.I. Delta) and Matty “Matty B” Bengloff, owner of Delta Dairy, both based in Cleveland, recently participated in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program after being accepted through an application process. Goldman Sachs is a leading global financial firm with offices located worldwide.
“It was quite an honor,” said Cox. “I was first made aware of the program through an email the Bolivar-Cleveland Chamber of Commerce sent out last fall and I thought it might be worth my time. The name Goldman Sachs certainly can get your attention.”
“I had a friend reach out to me about the program,” said Bengloff. “Like Kevin, I thought it would be a valuable experience to go through.”
24 other companies in Mississippi, including those owned by Cox and Bengloff, were accepted into the Goldman Sachs program and an initial meeting and subsequent classes were held in Raymond, MS at Hinds Community College’s Eagle Ridge Conference Center, lasting three days. It was the first time the major company has hosted a 10,000 Small Business program session in Mississippi,
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is an investment in the growth of small businesses, according to the company’s website. The program helps entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing access to education, capital and support services. Criteria for acceptance into the program included having gross annual revenue of at least $75K and being in business for three years or more. Company financials also have to be sent out to Goldman Sachs for review.
Those accepted into the program gain access to an extensive network of over 16,000-plus graduates located throughout all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. This diverse community consists of owners and entrepreneurs from various industries and companies of all sizes, creating a strong and supportive network of accomplished business leaders that extends beyond graduation.
With a curriculum designed by Babson College, the nation’s top-ranked school for entrepreneurship, Cox and Bengloff were able to engage in an intensive multi-week business education program, taught by directors hired by Goldman Sachs, along with like-minded small business owners, and receive one-on-one business advice while learning valuable skills to help them grow their businesses along with other participants.
After the kick-off classes in Raymond, future classes will be held via Zoom meetings. The program is solely funded by the Goldman Sachs Foundation with no cost to participants.
“Small businesses are vital to Mississippi – making up nearly all of the state’s businesses and employing roughly half of the workforce. These businesses are the heart and soul of their communities and Goldman Sachs is proud to support their continued growth,” said Anne Wellde, National Director of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. “10,000 Small Businesses is often described as a ‘mini MBA’ for small business owners – free of charge – and we are looking forward to seeing how these 23 Mississippi entrepreneurs create jobs and drive economic growth in their communities.”
“After attending the initial orientation and first classes of the program, I must admit that I came away with a new, bird’s eye view of my business,” said Cox. “As long as I’ve been doing what I do, since 1991, I thought I was pretty saavy; but I’ve learned so many new things and new perspectives already since taking these classes. Not only about improving my own business, but also about fellow small businesses that make up my clientele and how I can better help and serve them.”