My Own Business Institute helps small family businesses scale up

Members of the Silicon Valley-based nonprofit Sunday Friends wanted to know how they could make the small business owners in their program more successful. Enter: Santa Clara University’s My Own Business Institute (MOBI).

For nearly 30 years, Sunday Friends has asked families what they need to disrupt generational poverty. They then work to fill those needs through educational opportunities, a grocery program, and partnerships with local governments. Recently, members came with a new request—to support their family-owned businesses, including food carts, cleaning services, paver installation, beauty products, app-driving, and more. How could they scale up?

“At Sunday Friends, we’ve always listened closely to what families tell us they need to succeed,” says Tatiana Colón, Executive Director of Sunday Friends Foundation.

“When small business owners in our community shared that they wanted tools to grow and sustain their businesses, partnering with Santa Clara University’s MOBI program was the perfect fit. This collaboration gives families the knowledge and confidence to turn their entrepreneurial ideas into thriving ventures—and that’s a powerful step toward breaking the cycle of poverty.”

MOBI at SCU offers free online entrepreneurial courses on starting, managing, and growing a business. Working with the institute, the nonprofit set up a 12-week program that includes business classes and resources. Two cohorts have gone through the program to date.

It’s already a success, says Ashley Papagno, board chair and president of Sunday Friends: “These ideas can become reality. People can grow their businesses.”