Breaking The Ice is an ecosystem development firm dedicated to supporting Black small business owners by creating connections through ecosystem events, program management, curriculum support, coaching, and consulting services. More importantly we facilitate ecosystem connections between small businesses and essential partners.

We serve Black entrepreneurs and small business owners, primarily within the DMV-Baltimore area and Freetown, Sierra Leone, along with ecosystem partners looking to support these entrepreneurs.

We offer ecosystem events, program management, curriculum development and support, networking, and strategic consulting for businesses seeking guidance.

Breaking The Ice facilitates direct connections between small business owners and a network of ecosystem partners, including accelerators, funders, mentors, universities, and etc., ensuring entrepreneurs have access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. We match small businesses with resources and ecosystem partners tailored to their needs and strategic roadmap for their growth

We host mixers, panels, and workshops where entrepreneurs can network, share resources, and discuss topics relevant to Black entrepreneurship.

We develop culturally relevant curriculum tailored to the needs of Black entrepreneurs and help organizations implement and support these programs.

We provide guidance in areas like customer discovery, ecosystem building, go-to-market strategy, and business planning.

To schedule a consultation, visit our “Contact Us” page and fill out the consultation request form with your contact details and a brief description of your needs. Our team will review your submission and respond within 2-3 business days to arrange an initial consultation.

Breaking The Ice uses a sliding scale pricing model to make our services accessible to a wide range of clients. Fees are adjusted based on the organization’s size, budget, and needs. We’ll discuss your requirements during the initial consultation and work together to determine a fair and appropriate fee.

A healthy and thriving business supported by Breaking the Ice is defined by its consistent growth, financial stability, and measurable community impact. Key indicators include steady increases in revenue, effective partnerships with ecosystem stakeholders, and the ability to secure diverse funding streams. These businesses create jobs, contribute to local economies, and actively engage with their communities to drive meaningful change. Thriving businesses also demonstrate adaptability and innovation, regularly refining their strategies to stay competitive in dynamic markets. Success is further highlighted by strong customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and scalability, allowing them to expand their reach and influence. Ultimately, these businesses embody resilience and sustainability, serving as pillars of economic empowerment and community development.

We start by understanding your business goals and identifying key metrics that align with those objectives. Together, we create a tailored dashboard to track progress in real time, ensuring you have the tools to measure financial, operational, and social impacts effectively.

We regularly assess your progress against benchmarks set during our initial consultations. These benchmarks include revenue targets, operational efficiency, and community engagement metrics. If you're falling short, we provide actionable strategies to help you course-correct and reach your full potential.

Absolutely. We work with you to compile and present data that demonstrates your business’s growth, community impact, and overall performance. This includes creating reports, presentations, and case studies that highlight your successes and potential for scalability, making a strong case to potential funders.

You can participate in our events, collaborate with us as a partner, or join as a mentor. Visit our “Get Involved” page to learn more about these opportunities.

Yes! We actively collaborate with ecosystem partners interested in supporting Black entrepreneurs. Visit our “Get Involved” page for more details on becoming a partner.

We welcome volunteers who are passionate about supporting Black entrepreneurship. If you’re interested, check our “Get Involved” page for current volunteer opportunities.

We organize ecosystem events, including panels, mixers, and workshops, where entrepreneurs and partners can network, exchange resources, and learn from each other.

Visit our “Events” page for details on upcoming gatherings, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on future events.

We focus on creating a culturally relevant ecosystem for Black entrepreneurs, addressing the unique challenges they face through targeted events, strategic support, and curriculum development.

We track the outcomes of our events, program success rates, feedback from participants, and growth metrics for the businesses we support to continually assess and improve our impact.

We’re based in the DMV area and work with entrepreneurs across the DMV-Baltimore region and in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

You can reach us through our contact form on the website or via email at [email protected] or [email protected]