Celebrating Small Businesses in 2025
Small businesses are the heart of our communities. On our blog, we shared stories of Main Street business innovation, community, and growth. Here are four stories about small businesses from the past year.
Today, we’re announcing the national launch of our new Grow with Google Digital Coaches partnership in rural Main Street communities in Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. In partnership with Grow with Google, these new coaches will work with businesses in their home states, with a focus on those that operate in small towns and rural communities. Digital Coaches will offer ongoing workshops on topics designed to help small businesses grow and thrive, including connecting with customers, selling online, and improving productivity – all for free.
"We are thrilled to work alongside the Grow with Google team to bring free digital skills training to small business owners across the country," said Hannah White, Interim President & CEO at Main Street America. "Led by local experts, these trainings will equip business owners with the skills they'll need to thrive in an increasingly digitally based economy. On both a local and national level, we believe supporting local entrepreneurs is essential to creating more vibrant neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and Main Streets. This partnership is instrumental in helping us continue to work towards this goal."
Owning a small business is rewarding, but also challenging. Small business owners also have to deal with finding new customers, sustaining operations, rising costs and keeping up with the latest technology.
“I am so proud to work on the Grow with Google Digital Coaches program, which connects diverse small businesses across the country with local marketing experts and entrepreneurs who provide live training and hands-on coaching to help them grow,” said Senior Marketing Manager at Grow with Google, Lucy Pinto. “Digital Coaches are successful business leaders who are from the communities they serve and who help local entrepreneurs achieve their goals.”
Small business owners frequently wear many hats: they may spend 12 hours a day running a restaurant, but they also need to be an accountant, a marketer, a customer service rep and an IT support person. Digital Coaches help lighten this load by equipping business owners with the digital skills they need.
Meet the new Digital Coaches→
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To learn more about Grow with Google Digital Coaches or sign up for a training in your area,
visit grow.google/digital-coaches.
Related News and Stories
Community Spotlight: How Anniston’s Karla Eden is Rewriting the Playbook for Small Business Success
Learn how Karla Eden at Main Street Anniston in Anniston, Alabama, built a small business support program based around the GETUP Anniston training program and pitch contest.
New Podcast Episode: Growing a Business with Intention
In a new episode of our Main Street Business Insights podcast, host Matt Wagner sits down with Angela Mallett, founder of Honeybee Sage Wellness & Apothecary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In their conversation, Angela shares her intentional approach to growth, one that prioritizes community care and cultural healing over rapid expansion.
