Chase Bank honored the graduates of its first local “Coaching for Impact” class, celebrating a cohort of small business owners who completed an intensive program to fuel their growth and stability.

The complimentary consulting program, launched nationally in 2020, pairs business owners with Chase consultants for executive coaching. The goal is to help businesses not only survive but thrive by mastering fundamentals like financial literacy, capital acquisition, and strategic marketing.

“We truly believe that small business owners are the backbone of our economy,” said Shellie Vernon, Chase Bank business consultant and lead for the local program. “If we don’t wrap our arms around them and support them on personal and business journeys, we’re missing the boat.”

The graduating class included Curtis Collins of Collins Ave Champagne LLC and the husband-and-wife duo of Uvaldo Mondragon and Alejandra Amezcua, founders of Amez International Imports and La Victoriana Brands. Their businesses reflect the diverse and growing economic landscape of Indianapolis and nationwide.

The program’s value was immediately tangible for the graduates. They cited gains in financial knowledge, operational processes and a robust professional network.

“The biggest takeaway for me would be the relationships,” Collins told the Indianapolis Recorder. “The power of a village and networking has been very impactful. It’s a great gateway to connect with people you may not typically work with or even meet.”

Collins, who is in his 20s, emphasized that access to this information is often scarce in his demographic. The program provided crucial knowledge about business structures like LLCs and credit that he can now pay forward.

Alejandra Amezcua and Uvaldo Mondragon’s company imports diverse products and is developing its private-label lines, including purified water, cheese and plantain jams. Amezcua said the program was instrumental in polishing their business plan and understanding their financials.

“It definitely encouraged us to push to the next level in terms of visibility,” Amezcua said. “It’s not a conversation we had at dinner time before; it’s a conversation we’re having now in our 30s and 40s as we continue to embark on this journey.”

Mondragon, who has over two decades of industry experience, stressed the importance of sharing this knowledge, especially with the next generation. He admitted that despite his extensive background, he lacked specific financial expertise and opportunities before the program.

“If I didn’t have the experience I have now and I started, I would have failed in six months,” Mondragon said. “You have to have the knowledge. This program is very important to learn before you start. If you invest much money without it, you’re bound to fail.”

The “Coaching for Impact” program focuses on five key areas: the power of capital, cash flow management, building a team of trusted advisors, marketing and cybersecurity.

Vernon described her role as providing “the answers to the test” — demystifying the traditional path to business success and building trust.

“Coming into a bank can be very daunting, very intimidating. It shouldn’t be,” Vernon told the Indianapolis Recorder. “I try to make everything relatable, build that trust factor because I want everyone to win.”

Nationally, the program has seen nationally significant growth. By the end of 2024, Chase had 82 consultants in 38 cities, in Vernon, who is the only one in the state of Indiana. Since its inception, the program has consulted and graduated over 8,200 businesses across the country.

For Vernon and Chase, the inaugural Indianapolis graduation is about more than just business metrics. It is about fostering a supportive community and a safe space for entrepreneurs to learn and grow together.

“I want to make sure I help foster and build that community of business owners,” Vernon said. “I want to see the community win.”

The class turned their tassels on Aug. 21, ready to embark on the journey of small business success.

Business owners interested in learning more about the Coaching for Impact program at chase.com/coachingforimpact.

Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him Facebook and TikTok @HorsemenSportsMedia. For more business news, click here.