This short video takes you inside the B-Smart Entrepreneur Program through the journey of Cohort 12, highlighting the growth, mentorship, community connections, and real-world business skills entrepreneurs gain as they turn their ideas into sustainable businesses.

Business Smart (B-Smart) was created in 2017 to meet a real and urgent need: too many early-stage entrepreneurs—especially in West and Southwest Philadelphia—were launching businesses without access to the tools, training, or support needed to succeed.

Without trusted guidance, many struggled to price their services, manage cash flow, or clarify who they were serving. They were doing everything alone—hustling hard but feeling stuck. This lack of structure often led to burnout, stalled growth, and missed opportunities.

B-Smart was built to change that. In partnership with the West Philadelphia Corridor Collaborative, Drexel University, and VestedIn, the program offers hands-on business training, expert coaching, and a community of peers to help entrepreneurs get clear, get confident, and grow on solid ground.

Business Smart (B-Smart) is an intensive training program for early-stage entrepreneurs, combining structured, hands-on business education, expert coaching, and peer collaboration to build strong business foundations, develop a clear growth strategy, and strengthen the mindset needed for long-term success.

Hosted at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, B-Smart offers a structured, immersive learning experience with access to course materials and assignments through Drexel’s Blackboard platform. The program concludes with a public Pitch and Present competition, where select entrepreneurs present their business models to a panel of investors and community leaders—receiving valuable feedback and the opportunity to earn small business growth grants.

By the end of the program, you will:

• Gain Clarity: Understand your business’s strengths, challenges, and growth potential.
• Strengthen Cash Flow: Learn practical strategies for managing your money and planning for long-term success.
• Build a Roadmap: Create a refined business plan and polished pitch deck to support your goals.
• Smart Pricing: Learn to price for profit, increase sales, and boost your bottom line.
• Refine Your Pitch: Practice and perfect your story to confidently present your business to investors.
• Define Your Brand: Identify your target market and craft a strategy to reach the right customer.
• Prepare for Capital: Gain the tools and knowledge to pursue funding and develop a loan package.
• Expand Your Network: Connect with a supportive community of peers, mentors, and industry leaders.