Introducing SkillVentures: Where Trades Entrepreneurs Get the Tools, Coaching, and Community to Grow Their Businesses

The skilled trades are experiencing a renaissance. From plumbing and electrical work to HVAC and construction, demand for skilled professionals has never been higher. But here's the thing—being excellent at your trade doesn't automatically make you excellent at running a business. That's where SkillVentures comes in.

We're thrilled to announce the launch of SkillVentures, a groundbreaking 12-month training program developed through our continued partnership with Ford Philanthropy. Building on the incredible success of our HerImpact program for early-stage founders, we're now focused on addressing a critical gap: helping trades entrepreneurs transition from skilled practitioners to successful business leaders.

Why SkillVentures Matters

If you're a trades entrepreneur, you know the challenges. You might be the best electrician in your city, but do you know how to manage cash flow during seasonal fluctuations? You could install HVAC systems with your eyes closed, but are you confident in your hiring process? You might have more jobs than you can handle, but do you have a strategy for sustainable growth?

These aren't failures—they're simply different skill sets. And that's exactly what SkillVentures is designed to address.

What You'll Learn

SkillVentures covers ten essential business areas through online coursework and five intensive masterclasses:

Building Your Foundations and Financial Management: Learn how to set up systems that will support your growth rather than hold you back.

Fundraising, Marketing, and Sales: Master marketing and sales strategies that actually work for trades businesses. 

Hiring, Team, and Culture: Discover how to hire the right people, create a positive company culture, and transition from doing everything yourself to leading a team that can scale your business.

Risk & Growth: Understand fundraising options specific to trades businesses and develop growth strategies that ensure long-term sustainability.

Leading with Confidence: Perhaps most importantly is developing the founder-to-CEO mindset that will help you navigate the challenges of business leadership while staying true to your trades roots.

What Makes SkillVentures Different

It's Built for Your Schedule We understand that trades entrepreneurs don't have the luxury of attending weekday seminars or lengthy workshops. That's why SkillVentures is completely self-paced. 

It's Completely Free Thanks to our partnership with Ford Philanthropy, every aspect of SkillVentures—from the masterclasses to the coaching to the community access—is provided at no cost to participants. No hidden fees, no upsells, just genuine support for your business growth.

It's Designed by People Who Get It This isn't generic business advice repackaged for trades professionals. Every element of SkillVentures has been carefully crafted to address the real challenges facing trades entrepreneurs today.

A Partnership Built on Success

Our collaboration with Ford Philanthropy isn't new—it's built on the proven success of our HerImpact program, which has made a significant impact supporting early-stage founders in Detroit, D.C., Miami, Kansas City, and Cleveland. Ford Philanthropy shares our commitment to supporting entrepreneurs who are building stronger communities through their businesses, and trades entrepreneurs are absolutely essential to community development and economic growth.

When we looked at the landscape of business support programs, we saw a clear gap. Traditional entrepreneurship programs often miss the mark for trades professionals, who face unique challenges around seasonality, workforce development, equipment financing, and regulatory compliance. SkillVentures fills that gap.

Join the Movement

If you're a trades entrepreneur ready to take your business to the next level, we'd love to have you join us. The program is now accepting applications, and we encourage you to apply early.

Learn more at: https://www.newmajorityventures.net/skillventures

Your expertise built the foundation. Now let's build the business.