The Paul Firm Featured in Observer Article
Founder Rena Paul completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program. Read more about her experience in From Subsidies to Sustained Growth: The Case for Cohort Models, by Olga Gonzalez.
For many participants, the transformation goes beyond strategy or balance sheets. Rena Paul, founder of The Paul Firm, reflected: “I came to the program thinking I would learn the ‘hard skills,’ which we did, but from the beginning, there was a focus on the founder. This course has taken me from being an owner-operator of a business to learning how to work on the business and not in the business.”
Read the full article HERE.
Summary of the Article:
Why Cohort-Based Programs Drive Small Business Growth
Small businesses fuel local economies, yet many struggle to move from survival mode to sustainable growth. Traditional solutions like grants or tax breaks can help in the short term, but they don’t address the deeper needs of entrepreneurs: strategy, mentorship, and community. That’s where cohort-based programs come in.
What Are Cohort-Based Programs?
Instead of offering one-time funding, these programs bring business owners together in structured groups. Participants get:
Practical education on finance, marketing, and operations
Mentorship from experienced leaders
Peer accountability and support, reducing the isolation of entrepreneurship
The result is growth fueled by both knowledge and community.
Lessons from Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB)
One of the best-known cohort programs, 10KSB, shows just how powerful this approach can be:
67% of participants increased revenue within six months
44% created new jobs in the same timeframe
Many graduates report a major shift in mindset—moving from day-to-day operations to long-term leadership and growth
Takeaways for Entrepreneurs and Policymakers
Look beyond money. The most effective programs combine funding with mentorship, peer support, and a solid curriculum.
Invest in leadership skills. Growth comes from stepping out of operations and into strategy.
Think long-term. Sustainable scaling starts with clarity around costs, margins, and vision.
If you’re a small business owner, joining a cohort-based program could be the difference between simply staying afloat and achieving real, lasting growth. For policymakers and funders, the lesson is clear: community + knowledge beats cash alone when it comes to building strong, resilient small businesses.
