Small businesses are symbols of the American Dream brought to life. According to the Small Business Administration, they employ nearly 60% of the private workforce and created nearly 70% of net new jobs after the 2008 recession. The economy relies on small businesses, but they’re in trouble.
Only 50% of small businesses make it to their 5th year of operations. Many small business owners struggle with turnover of staff and operational issues, and many do not capitalize on digital tools to grow their business.
CYC selects only the most highly qualified undergraduates from America’s best universities. Many times there is an acceptance rate of <10% to get into the program. Students that pass through our rigorous interview process are invited to join our intensive, semester-long program, which focuses on developing consultants’ problem solving, interpersonal and communication, and entrepreneurial skills.
Students are grouped into teams of 4-5 and are led over the course of the semester by a more experienced undergraduate (Engagement Manager), and supported by a dedicated group of faculty advisors, graduate students, and experienced professionals. To guarantee impact, CYC focuses on actively working with business owners to implement changes, not just to craft strategic recommendations.
To give business owners the tools to succeed after the engagement is over, teams are encouraged to work with local SBDCs & SCORE centers. We encourage volunteers & businesses to ensure that the organization is identifying areas of improvement and effectively working towards its mission.