Our North Star

People are unstoppable forces. Life circumstances are real and sometimes overwhelming, yet they should not determine what we can do in the present or be in the future. We believe everyone should be free to make choices to activate the possible.

RMMFI creates the space for communities and people of all backgrounds to realize their unique potential through the power of entrepreneurship.

Three people stand together smiling, holding certificates and a small potted plant. One person holds a blue folder. Name tags are visible on two of them. It appears to be about a celebratory event, possibly for a graduation or business launch.

Guiding Principles

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Trust

Our relationships, decisions, and actions are rooted in trust.

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Entrepreneurship

Leveraging a growth mindset, we create innovative solutions.

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The Right Thing

We act with our entrepreneurs and community in mind.

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Connection

We value one another and leverage the strengths of others and our community.

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Knowledge

We seek to understand, share expertise, and improve through cycles of learning.

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Ownership

We put decisions in the right hands: our staff, our entrepreneurs, and our community.

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Purpose

We’re grounded in our North Star and align our actions with outcomes in mind.

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Whole Person

We recognize that the strength of a “thing” is only as strong as the person behind it.

Theory of Change

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State of the Ecosystem

Microentrepreneurship is a powerful tool to build both individual and community prosperity. The median net worth of business owners is nearly 2.5x higher than non-business owners (Association for Enterprise Opportunity), and most job creation is from new small businesses (National Bureau of Economic Research).

But personal, professional, systemic, political, and economic barriers prevent many from accessing the benefits of ownership. These barriers undermine individual and communal belief in accessible pathways to ownership, resulting in an inequitable opportunity for economic inclusion and community autonomy as well as a poorly diversified economy.

According to Global Policy Solutions, the racial wealth gap in business ownership costs 9 million jobs and $3 billion to the economy.

16 years

of community building

$4 + million

in financial resources (annual budget) 

320 +

volunteers and mentors

50 + staff

staff, contractors, and board members

40 +

referral and resource partners

5

established sites

Our Community

RMMFI supports resilient entrepreneurs who are ready for business ownership but have low incomes and have faced societal barriers. We work with entrepreneurs from a variety of marginalized backgrounds across locations, ages, demographics, and industries with a focus on microbusinesses. This results in a diverse, welcoming community of entrepreneurs.

Key Activities

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Inspire

entrepreneurs to see and activate their potential

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Support

the whole entrepreneur with resources, referrals, and connections

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Educate

on business ideation, launch, and growth through cohort and individual learning

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Invest

through relationship-based lending and grants

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Connect

entrepreneurs to coaches, customers, and a community

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Advocate

for equitable access to personal and business support, capital, and market opportunities

Outcomes & Impact

Ownership of Self: Entrepreneurship Activates Potential

Entrepreneurship serves as a tool for people to create and live a life on their own terms. By seeing a pathway to success and building strong foundations towards goals, engaging in entrepreneurship provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to be their own boss, control their destiny, and be independent.

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Idea Outcomes

Entrepreneurs develop an entrepreneurial mindset

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Launch Outcomes

Entrepreneurs recognize their own potential and are empowered to define their personal and professional success

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Thrive Outcomes

Entrepreneurs are achieving what they want in life and bringing their ideas to life

Ownership of Wealth: Economic Inclusion and Mobility

In the face of systems that say “wait” or “never” to ownership, microentrepreneurship provides economic mobility and opportunity to business owners and their households. From gaining access to business supports and capital to owning thriving and resilient businesses, entrepreneurs experience higher levels of financial independence and can make an impact on the next generation by leaving behind a legacy.

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Idea Outcomes

Entrepreneurs explore and ideate business concepts

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Launch Outcomes

Entrepreneurs launch and capitalize their business!

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Thrive Outcomes

Entrepreneurs and their households experience economic inclusion and mobility through operating thriving, resilient businesses

Ownership of Community Health: Vibrant, Unique, and Empowered Communities

Inclusive microentrepreneurship uplifts the freedom and autonomy of communities on their terms. When entrepreneurs take the initiative to work on their own dreams and are surrounded by a community of support, they become local leaders who also want to support and make a difference in their community.

01

Idea Outcomes

Entrepreneurs take the initiative to work on their dreams and build community with other entrepreneurs

02

Launch Outcomes

Entrepreneurs develop meaningful connections to coaches, customers, and community

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Thrive Outcomes

Entrepreneurs invest in their communities as owners and local leaders

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)

RMMFI recognizes that in order to pursue our North Star, we must approach our work and lead through a framework of racial, gender, and geographic equity.

At RMMFI, we believe that entrepreneurship is a vehicle that can be used to create the life people want for ourselves and our communities.

We know racial inequities and systemic barriers in education, access to capital, and access to opportunity have kept people of color and systemically marginalized communities out of mainstream access.

We intentionally take part in conversations about structural racism as well as engage diverse voices in problem-solving, decision-making, and issues of accessibility. In order to aim bigger and go deeper, RMMFI is committed to supporting our entrepreneurs, staff, and community members equitably.

Two women warmly embrace and smile at each other in a lively indoor setting. About them, one woman, wearing a white shirt with a ponytail, faces the other who is dressed in a floral top. Other people are visible in the background, contributing to the cheerful atmosphere.
Two women smile and embrace in the foreground of a lively indoor gathering. The woman on the left, her hair tied back, wears a light-colored shirt, while the woman on the right has short hair and wears a floral top. About them, people in casual attire converse in the background.
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