National Thank You Month

January is National Thank You Month. At Start Small Think Big we are thankful for everyone who is a part of the #AllforSmall community.

We know entrepreneurs are driven by a vision that they are courageous enough to translate into the real world. It’s a really big deal and it often takes resources well beyond the reserves to accomplish. They have the hustle, the grit, and the talent, but sometimes it’s the daily operations, administrative obligations, and logistical applications that create challenges.?

We couldn't do the work we do without the support of partners like 花旗 , who work tirelessly to assist small business owners overcome these challenges. Read why they believe in giving back to the community, why they believe volunteerism is important for all corporations and the impact that supporting entrepreneurs has had on their company.

Can you speak about how giving back has an impact at Citi? How does giving back to small businesses make you feel? What is the value of this type of exchange?

Giving goes beyond donations. Citi’s approach to community investment is holistic in nature - we aim to connect Citi’s people, expertise, resources, products and services to help expand equitable opportunities in the communities we serve. Partnering with organizations like Start Small Think Big (SSTB) that are connected to the communities where we live and work, raising awareness about the great work they do, and communicating how employee participation makes an impact is incredibly rewarding. We know that small businesses are economic and cultural engines in their communities, and capacity building such as that which Citi is supporting through SSTB is helpful for small, lean organizations to survive and thrive.

Why did your company partner with Start Small Think Big? What has been the impact of working with Start Small Think Big and the small business community?

Citi is proud of our longstanding collaboration with SSTB, first established through employee volunteerism in 2014. Since then, our work together has grown to include significant investment through the Citi Foundation’s Community Progress Makers and Small Business Technical Assistance initiatives, as well as continued engagement of Citi leaders serving on the SSTB board of directors and Citi employees contributing to the capacity building of the SSTB community. In 2022 alone, Citi volunteers provided technical assistance and counsel to nearly 300 diverse entrepreneurs.

What does your team value most about volunteering with Start Small Think Big? How do your company's values align with Start Small Think Big??

Citi is committed to helping close the racial wealth gap and to investing in diverse entrepreneurs from marginalized communities. Therefore, supporting and strengthening SSTB’s capacity to help entrepreneurs of color create thriving businesses so owners can build wealth for themselves, their families, and their communities, is very much aligned with this commitment.?

Citi's mission is to enable growth and progress which aligns with how we are supporting the growth and progress of the small business community. We believe that healthy economic growth at its core involves a thriving small business ecosystem, in particular a diverse ecosystem that is inclusive of entrepreneurs of color. Citi is proud to support organizations like SSTB, which have been an invaluable intermediary providing a range of services and resources to fuel the recovery of the small business community through the COVID-19 pandemic. It is through the capacity building support and technical assistance from SSTB that continues to equip small businesses and entrepreneurs of color with the tools necessary to thrive.

Why is your company particularly committed to supporting local small businesses, marginalized small business owners, and communities of color?

Small businesses are truly the foundation of our economy. Yet, small businesses owned by people of color have been disproportionately impacted by the unprecedented social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. While they are starting to bounce back, there is still much work to be done. At Citi, we understand that to help create more resilient and equitable communities, we must invest in solutions that support these small businesses.

How can more corporations support employee volunteering programs? Why is it important for everyone involved?

At Citi, we believe employee engagement is central to our approach to supporting communities. By donating time through skill-based volunteerism and board service, Citi employees at every level and across the company lend their expertise to help empower small businesses in the communities we serve. This is just one example of how Citi champions employee volunteerism. By promoting giving back through acts of kindness, independent service, or group-based in-person and virtual activities, Citi has made volunteerism a global priority aimed at addressing the evolving challenges our communities are facing.

What advice would you give corporations/organizations who are considering a partnership with Start Small Think Big?

• Come in with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn from SSTB and the business owners themselves
• Be open and willing to connect with a variety of small businesses with a variety of needs
• Be ready to step out of your comfort zone and innovate on how your team can offer technical assistance and support to the community

Why is the Finance series collaboration with Start Small Think Big important and what impact did it have??

• Citi’s collaboration with SSTB on their Finance Series has allowed our employees to engage with a variety of business owners and share content, skills, and best practices based on topics of interest to small business owners. Ultimately, we hope the businesses walked away with knowledge and tools that they can tangibly use to improve their operations and grow their business. This series also benefited Citi volunteers because it enabled us to connect our passion and expertise with the small business community. In addition, this collaboration gave Citi volunteers valuable perspective on the needs of the small business community.

To learn more about corporate partnerships with Start Small Think Big visit the corporate partner page on our website.

#corporatesocialresponsibility #volunteer #volunteerism #supportlocal #supportsmallbusiness #smallbusiness #financialliteracy #nationalthankyounoteday #thankyou