General Business Coach

Organization Summary

Sunshine Enterprises is a 501© 3 nonprofit based in Chicago, IL. Sunshine Enterprises fosters economically viable communities through training, coaching, and connecting high-potential entrepreneurs. Sunshine Enterprises’ mission is to empower high-potential entrepreneurs living in under-resourced neighborhoods to grow their businesses and transform their communities. Sunshine Enterprises’ vision is to establish 5 neighborhood-based business hubs catalyzing free enterprise in Chicago’s under-resourced neighborhoods. Currently, we serve hundreds of unique entrepreneurs throughout the Chicago area in three main business hubs servicing neighborhoods such as Woodlawn, Englewood, West Evanston, Rogers Park, and North Lawndale. Each of these hubs has been strategically placed in areas suffering from a lack of jobs, marketplace resources, and growth opportunities. These hubs provide an economic stimulus to the communities by supporting local entrepreneurs. SE also has developed specialty hubs focused on the property management, construction trades, and arts & makers industries; as well as a Spanish-language CBA.

Position Summary

Sunshine Enterprises (SE) has 2 core programs: the Community Business Academy (CBA) and Business Acceleration Services (BAS). The CBA is a twelve-session, 36-hour interactive course in business basics. The core of the BAS program is business coaching. Sunshine Enterprises is seeking business coaches to support any one of our geographic hubs (West Side, North Side, or South Side). The CBA has over 1000 graduates.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The duties include but are not limited to the following:

·       Provide 60-minute coaching session as lead coach with those assigned out of our CBA graduates.

·       Provide 60-minute coaching and technical assistance coaching session with additional participants referred by Sunshine Enterprises.

·       Assist the clients with strategies and tactics to achieve goal-orientated outcomes to help support the

        growth or launch of the client’s business, in person, through the phone or an online platform.

·       Coaching clients within a specified timeframe to achieve identified goals within coaching program.

·       Connect clients to partners for access to capital, legal services, and other business growth opportunities.

·       Submit coaching forms within the allotted time frame.

·       Participate in discussions regarding individual or group coaching.

Required Skills and Abilities

To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·       Strong desire to help entrepreneurs that can be representative of marginalized, low to moderate income, and at-risk populations become economically self-sufficient.

·       Interest in making a lasting impact on the lives of entrepreneurs.

·       Strong communications skills.

·       Strong emotional intelligence and cross-cultural competency.

·       Experience with group and / or individual coaching.

·       Strong industry experience in respective discipline.

·       Deep knowledge of the different communities and neighborhoods of the city of Chicago.

Minimum Education and Experience

To perform this role successfully, an individual must have the following education, licensure and/or experience:

·       5 plus years’ experience as a small business owner or as a coach to small businesses.

·       Coaching certification a plus, but not required.

·       Knowledge and relationships of the small business resources offered in city of Chicago.

·       Demonstrated strength in several of the core competencies for small business including but not limited to marketing, planning, food industry, product development and manufacturing & distribution.