Strategic Growth Academy: Financially Fit Application

Strategic Growth Academy: Financially FIt

Thank you for your interest in the Strategic Growth Academy: Financially Fit. This Spring cohort is designed for established Black-owned businesses in the Greater Houston Area seeking to strengthen financial resilience, align business and personal wealth strategies, and prepare for long-term sustainability. Please complete the following application to help us determine program fit and understand your business goals. Class sessions are Thursdays from 6PM - 8PM on March 25, April 1, April 8, and April 15.

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Contact Information

Full Name(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Application Questions

I currently have:(Required)

A business bank account

A business credit card

A business line of credit

Separate personal and business finances

State of your financial records:(Required)

Bookkeeping is up to date through last month

Up to date through last quarter

Behind 6+ months

Not Sure/ Need Help

Financial statements available in the past 12 months(Required)

Check all that apply

Profit & Loss (P&L)

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

AR/AP Aging Report

None

Who manages your accounting?(Required)

Check all that apply

Owner

In-house bookkeeper

Outsourced bookkepper

CPA Firm

Internal accounting department/team

Are you able to provide one year of tax returns?(Required)

Yes

What is your total annual revenue?(Required)

Does your business do most of its contracting/subcontracting in the private or public sector?(Required)

Do you currently have any federal, state, county or city designations/certifications for MWBE or similar? If so list them below.(Required)

"FIT" Self-Assessment

We want clearer visibility into cash flow and profitability.(Required)

1 - Does Not Apply

2 - Not True

3 - Somewhat True

4 - True

We want to strengthen financial controls/systems for growth or stability.(Required)

1 - Does Not Apply

2 - Not True

3 - Somewhat True

4 - True

We want a business plan for long-term financial resilience (not just short-term fixes)(Required)

1 - Does Not Apply

2 - Not True

3 - Somewhat True

4 - True

We want to plan the owner’s retirement in a way that aligns with the business.(Required)

1 - Does Not Apply

2 - Not True

3 - Somewhat True

4 - True

We need a succession plan (family transition, sale, key leadership continuity, etc.).(Required)

1 - Does Not Apply

2 - Not True

3 - Somewhat True

4 - True

We can commit time for sessions and implementation between sessions.(Required)

1 - Does Not Apply

2 - Not True

3 - Somewhat True

4 - True

What are your biggest obstacles or most pressing issues with regard to your business finances?(Required)

What would make this program most valuable right now?(Required)

Choose up to 3

Better cash flow / working capital

Improving profitability

Getting “clean” financial statements

Planning for retirement / benefits

Preparing for a sale or transition

Strengthening internal financial systems

Debt strategy / lending readiness

Reducing financial risk

Other

If you stepped away from your business in the next 10–15 years, what would primarily fund your retirement?(Required)

Sale of the business

Ongoing cash flow from the business

Personal investments outside the business

I have not clearly defined this yet

Other

End of Program Goals

At the end of the program, you should leave with written plans and next steps you can implement. Choose one goal level per topic and add details.

Holistic Financial Planning (Business + Personal Alignment)(Required)

Select one

Level 1: I will have a clear financial snapshot + priorities for the next 12 months.

Level 2: I will have a 12-month operating plan + budget tied to targets.

Level 3: I will have a 12–24 month plan with KPIs, forecast, and decision triggers.

Succession Planning (Transition, Sale, or Continuity)(Required)

Select one

Level 1: I will define what succession means for my business (family transfer, sale, leadership continuity).

Level 2: I will identify successors/options + timeline and key risks.

Level 3: I will have a written succession roadmap and next professional steps (legal, valuation, tax planning).

Business Financial Optimization & Risk Management (Today’s Strength + Resilience)(Required)

Select one

Level 1: I will identify my top 3 financial leaks/risks and fixes.

Level 2: I will create a 90-day optimization plan to improve cash flow/profit.

Level 3: I will implement controls + risk plan (policies, coverage review, internal processes, contingency plan).

Demographic Information

Age(Required)

Racial Identification

Gender Identification

Household Income

Please note that there is a $75 commitment fee for the program. After being selected, participants will be required to pay the $75 fee, which helps cover food, beverages, and printed materials during the program. The commitment fee also helps ensure participants are dedicated to attending and actively engaging in each session.(Required)

I understand that if selected for the cohort, I will be invoiced a $75 commitment fee and agree to pay this fee to confirm my participation.

Supporting Document (Optional)

Business Plan, Balance Sheet, and/or P&L

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 32 MB.

By checking this box, I understand and agree that I must attend all four classes in their entirety in order to successfully complete the program.(Required)

I understand

Applicant Agreement, Confidentiality, and Data Use(Required)

Applicants who are accepted into the Strategic Growth Academy acknowledge that participation signifies agreement to engage fully in the program curriculum and activities. As a condition of acceptance, participants grant GHBC permission to take photographs and record images during program sessions and events. These images may be used across GHBC platforms—including, but not limited to, the Chamber’s website, social media channels, and promotional materials—for the purpose of highlighting program impact and celebrating participant achievements.

GHBC upholds the highest standards of ethical responsibility in the collection, management, and use of applicant data. All information submitted through the application will be stored securely and utilized exclusively for program evaluation, participant selection, and internal reporting. Any data extracted for the purpose of assessing the impact of the Strategic Growth Academy will be de-identified, aggregated, and presented in a manner that ensures no personally identifiable information (PII) is disclosed in research findings, reports, or public communications.

Applicants can be assured that anonymity will be preserved in all program-related data analysis and impact studies. Individual responses will not be linked back to specific applicants or businesses. By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge and consent that their data may be used for program evaluation and research; however, such use will remain strictly confidential and untraceable to personal or business identifiers.

By checking this box, I affirm that I have read, understood, and agree to the terms outlined above. I acknowledge that submission of this application does not guarantee acceptance into the Strategic Growth Academy. If accepted, I agree to participate fully in the program, grant GHBC permission to capture and use images of my participation, and consent to the secure collection and anonymous use of my application data for evaluation and research purposes.