Innovation Center Roxbury & Providence: Empowering Entrepreneurs from Underdogs to Unicorns with Business Growth Training

INTRODUCTION:

Equipping Entrepreneurs for Growth

Skills Simplified, in partnership with Tagline360, was engaged by the Innovation Center Roxbury and Providence to facilitate two cornerstone courses for the GROW Program. This initiative was developed to empower entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities—particularly people of color—by equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and strategy to launch and sustain thriving businesses.

THE SOLUTIONS:

Targeted Courses for Real-World Application

Francis Miranda, CEO of both Skills Simplified and Tagline360, led the delivery of two specialized courses: Refresh Focus and Refresh Marketing.

Refresh Focus helped entrepreneurs clarify their business direction by identifying ideal consumers, refining their core offering, and aligning their vision with market demand.

Refresh Marketing provided step-by-step guidance on establishing a strong digital marketing infrastructure—from branding and messaging to social media and CRM systems—geared specifically for small business scalability.

Both sessions were deeply rooted in practical, actionable learning, making them accessible and immediately beneficial to participants regardless of their business stage.

THE RESULTS:

Measurable Growth and Lasting Impact

The feedback from the GROW Program was overwhelmingly positive. Participants praised the energy, clarity, and practical value of the courses. Notable outcomes included:

Clearer understanding of target audiences and how to serve them
Improved digital marketing readiness and implementation
Confidence in tailoring products and services to specific customer segments
Reinforced awareness of lifelong learning as a business imperative

More than 40 entrepreneurs successfully established key parts of their marketing infrastructure, setting the stage for sustainable business growth. The training didn’t just inform—it transformed.

CONCLUSION:

Unlocking Potential Through Inclusive Consultancy

The collaboration between Skills Simplified, Tagline360, and the Innovation Center Roxbury and Providence highlights the power of culturally relevant, business-savvy consultancy and training. It underscores how inclusive, practical support can spark real growth in underserved communities.