One-on-One Coaching
AOF Business Coaching Services Hub
Comprehensive, one-on-one advice for your business is available with AOF’s business coaching services.
Get Trusted Coaching for Your Business
Accion Opportunity Fund connects thousands of entrepreneurs with affordable capital each year, but we know there’s a lot more to business success than just the cash. That’s why we offer one-on-one, customized business coaching services with expert business coaches to small business owners across the country.
Access to Capital
Which type of capital is right for me? Am I ready for a small business loan?
Learn the best methods to attain capital, such as business loans, grants, or investments. Take steps to prepare to access capital.
Business & Start-Up Strategy
Which business model is right for me? What should go in my business plan?
Find out how to create and improve your business strategy, increase sales, or grow your business, from first idea to reaching your goals.
Certification & Procurement
What are the benefits of certification? How do I start the process?
Learn how to get certified as a minority or woman owned business, and/or get more information on how to prepare and attain contract work.
Commercial Leasing & Real Estate
How do I make sure my landlord’s lease terms are fair to me?
Get guidance on renting out a commercial space, assistance in reviewing a lease agreement, or assistance buying commercial real estate.
Financial Management
How do I find out how much money my business is making?
Improve your financial reporting by establishing better bookkeeping practices. Get assistance on preparing financial statements like profit and loss and cash flow.
Legal Support
How do I protect my brand name and intellectual property? Do I need a copyright or patent?
Receive resources and information on how to wordsmith contracts, waivers, disclaimers, and confidentiality agreements to reduce liability, mitigate risk, and protect assets.
Marketing & Social Media
Is paid social media marketing really worth it? How can my website get me more customers?
Discuss how to improve your marketing efforts and goals. Learn more about marketing strategies, building websites, or improving social media presence.
Operations & Human Resources
What should be in my employee handbook? When am I ready to write standard operating procedures?
Learn to standardize business operations and human resources systems. Get help with hiring, HR compliance, standardizing internal operation procedures, etc.
Meet AOF’s Network of Business Coaches
Accion Opportunity Fund works with a broad network of trusted professional business coaches to provide expert advising to entrepreneurs across the United States. Read on to learn more about our network of business coaches who can help you reach your goals.
Angelina Ramirez
New York, NY
Angelina is a marketing and procurement expert with 20+ years of experience in Corporate America and nonprofits. She’s President of the Amblyn Group, a marketing and public affairs firm and President of MWBE Times, offering certification services.
Specialties
Marketing, MWBE, supplier diversity, social media, strategy
Chad Patterson
Boston, MA
Chad is a business executive and strategic visionary, with 15+ years of experience in finance, sales, and marketing. Chad has successfully founded three ventures and is passionate about helping small business owners and entrepreneurs scale their ventures.
Specialties
Access to Capital, Business Growth, and Start-up Strategy
Dee Clemmons
Atlanta, GA and Tampa, FL
Dee is a CEO and Certified Coach with 29+ years of experience building successful businesses. Her dynamic coaching style is influenced by her experience as a full-time entrepreneur, lecturer, and public speaker. She is a data-driven, culture-embracing leader and founder of small businesses.
Specialties
Access to capital, certifications, start-up strategy
Desha Elliott
Atlanta, GA
Desha, a Business Advisor at AOF, has 10+ years of experience creating and delivering brand awareness and strategic planning for Fortune 500s and small businesses. In addition to consulting on social media content and engagement, she helps business owners build from the ground up.
Specialties
Business growth, marketing, social media
Gladys Castro
Stockton, CA
Gladys is a business credit advisor with 8+ years of experience. She helps entrepreneurs launch and expand their businesses by helping them access capital, including loans. She loves to work with entrepreneurs in both Spanish and English.
Specialties
Financial management, access to capital, start-up strategy
Joy M. Hutton
Houston, TX
Joy is a management consultant, tech entrepreneur, and startup advisor with nearly 20 years of experience in human resources, operations, strategic planning, ideation, and marketing. Advocate for small business owners and founders and committed to helping them overcome barriers and run high growth businesses.
Specialties
Human resources, operations, business strategy, marketing, social media
Kristen Herwitz
Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA
Kristen is a business attorney committed to helping BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and women protect their work and themselves as their businesses and impacts grow. She built her law practice by paying it forward, investing at least 10% of profits in organizations supporting women and social justice.
Specialties
Compliance, legal issues, real estate
Luis Ramos
San Antonio, TX
Luis Ramos has 10+ years of experience mentoring entrepreneurs, building teams, and creating the processes needed to launch successful businesses. He has advised more than 1,000 businesses from ideas to reaching their goals in both Spanish and English.
Specialties
Access to capital, financial management, start-up strategy
Nicole LaShae Ben
Baltimore, MD
Nicole, the CEO of Thrive In Design, is a design and sales strategist who has worked with product-based companies to generate millions in sales over the past decade. She loves working with entrepreneurs to create and launch innovative ideas and sales strategies using a human-centered approach.
Specialties
Business growth, design, start-up strategy
Oren Shani
Denver, CO
Oren is a certified business advisor with 10+ years of experience. He started, managed, and expanded his own small business, providing disability accommodations for live events across the country. He helps business owners understand their vision and make a plan to achieve their goals.
Specialties
Financial management, access to capital, start-up strategy
Viridiana Ponce
Portland, OR
Viridiana is a small business consultant, trainer, and coach with 12+ years of accounting, finance, and entrepreneurial experience. She is passionate about sharing her experience, resources, and tools. She loves to work with small business entrepreneurs in both in Spanish and English.
Specialties
Access to capital, financial management, start-up strategy
Lindsay Chung
Denver, CO
Lindsay Chung is a program manager at AOF with 12+ years of experience in accounting and finance. She has worked with hundreds of small businesses at all stages on understanding credit, managing cash flow, analyzing financials, improving bookkeeping practices, and accessing financing.
Specialties
Financial management, access to capital