Use Your Everyday Skills to Make a Difference

Friday, January 23
3:00 - 6:00 PM

  

The Problem: Small businesses are the backbone of local economies, yet too many struggle to access the resources they need to survive and thrive. They are working hard, often feeling isolated, without a strong circle of support. When businesses fail, Main Streets look uninviting, jobs are lost, and the economic growth slows.

Our Solution: Small Businesses Need Us is a powerful turnkey solution for corporate social responsibility, offering a unique opportunity for you to utilize your professional skills to make a meaningful difference.  Skills-based volunteerism is a proven strategy for boosting morale, developing talent, and increasing job satisfaction.  

 You  get to: 

  

  Apply your knowledge, sharpen problem-solving, and drive results
  Utilize specialized skills in a new context
  Contribute to a tangible, positive outcome and see immediate results 

  

We provide tools, templates, and insights that enable you to get to work, have impact, and make a difference.

Next Step:  Complete the form below to sign up! 

  What Volunteers Say About The Experience...  

 “It is just as rewarding for me as it is for the business owner that I partner with. I love knowing they are walking away with resources and insight that will be extremely beneficial.”

  “We had several laughs and (most importantly) got lots done in an hour Paula is up to her waist in ideas, but that's what we came for.”  - Simone H.

Event Information

Date: January 23, 2026

Time: 3:00 - 6:00 PM

Location: The ION  4201 Main Street Houston, TX 77002

This event is designed to create connections between local entrepreneurs and business professionals who are committed to supporting the local ecosystem. Our goal is for business owners to gain the knowledge and confidence they need to take their businesses to the next level.

During this 2-hour event, you will work with one or a small group of entrepreneurs to share your expertise and insights on one of the following topics:

Financial projections - Volunteers will guide entrepreneurs through the process of considering assumptions and inputs, and walk them through the workings of the financial projections spreadsheet. Skills required: knowledge of the difference between categories of costs, comfort with explaining gross margin and operating margin, and familiarity with general drivers of revenue, costs, and profitability.

Pitch presentations - Volunteers will work with entrepreneurs to develop and refine their pitch for capital, utilizing their business expertise to assist entrepreneurs with communicating, presenting, and showcasing their pitch. Skills required: general understanding of mission/vision, marketing, target market, financials, and strategy, presentation and storytelling, and experience with pitch presentations.

When you sign up, tell us your area(s) of expertise, and we provide the tools and templates to help you guide the session discussion. We’ll conduct a brief volunteer orientation before the session to ensure you are ready to go. 

Sign up now to learn more and be the first to receive event updates.

Small Businesses Need Us is a program of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership.

Right to Revoke or Deny Registration: The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership and its programs reserve the right to deny or revoke registration for any participant whose identity or provided information cannot be verified to the organization’s satisfaction. This policy is intended to ensure the integrity and security of our programs, events, and community.

Notice of Nondiscrimination: The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, the application to any of Pipeline Angels’ programs, hiring and firing of staff or contractors, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and providing of services.

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