USA Leadership Corps' Business Volunteers Consult 

Small Businesses and Nonprofits Across the Country

CHICAGO, IL (November 2006) – USA Leadership Corps, a volunteer-based management consulting firm (headquartered in Chicago) recruits, trains, then matches MBA-level business professionals from across the nation with local small businesses and non-profits to complete part-time consulting projects. Their mission is to help their clients achieve important business goals by helping them to utilize their resources more effectively.

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USA Leadership Corps' volunteers dedicate three hours per week over a three-month period to complete their consulting engagements. Since 2005, the Corps has assisted over 75 small businesses and non-profits across the country.

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"It can be extremely challenging being solely responsible for an organization's success - either as a small business owner or a director of a small to mid-sized non-profit," explains founder, Maxwell Roper. "Family and friends can only provide so much support and advice… That's why our clients appreciate working with our consultants on a weekly basis - to help them refine their strategies and approaches."

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Below are three experiences of small business and non-profit leaders from across the country who have participated in the Corps' program. (More consulting stories can be viewed by clicking here.)

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Experience #1: Small Business Launch - Beverly Hills, CA.

LaShone Renee Williams, 35, was in the process of launching her first business during the summer of 2006. Her business, Agelé is a line of organic body products that are currently available for sale via the web.

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"The reason why I started this endeavor was to provide a safe, natural solution that would benefit the entire family," Williams explains. "I quickly learned that my biggest challenging in launching my business was developing a comprehensive marketing plan. Therefore, I was very excited about the Corps' assistance in this area."

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The Corps matched Williams with a manager from a nearby health services agency.

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"I needed a business coach who would keep me focused on my most immediate needs... It was great to talk regularly with a dedicated person who could provide sound, objective feedback."

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Now that her Corps project has concluded, Williams continues to work diligently to market her company's products. "Once I get a handle on this area, I would definitely utilize another Corps consultant to identify future growth opportunities."

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Experience #2: Small Business Management - Houston, TX.

Vonetta Berry Jenkins, 32, owner of A Berrysweet Creation, provides temporary body art solutions to adults and children in the Houston area. She has been in business for 3 years and her most significant challenge was managing its cyclical nature.

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The Corps matched Jenkins with an administrative manager of a nearby private college.

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"During the summer months (when children are out of school), I have totally different challenges than the rest of the year," Berry Jenkins explains. "My Corps consultant helped me to make important decisions that will stabilize my company so that we can achieve long-term success."

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When asked, 'What advise would you give new business owners?' Jenkins responds, "Plan, plan, plan! Also, seek out new perspectives in order to side-step issues that could spell disaster for your business… My consultant helped me get out in front of several important issues so that I could avoid mistakes later on."

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