In Vermont, small businesses aren’t just common, they’re essential. With 93% of businesses employing fewer than 20 people, they power our local economy, make-up 31% of all jobs, and reinvest their profits right back into our communities. Many of these businesses are rooted in food and agriculture, forest products, climate tech, and waste management—sectors where VSJF is focused.
Our business coaching services are designed to meet entrepreneurs where they are and help them develop the skills to work “on their business.” We pair value-added businesses with seasoned, C-suite-level coaches who bring decades of experience and a fresh perspective. Together, they build actionable growth plans that strengthen operations, boost sales, and position businesses for long-term success.
Our Impact
In 2025 alone, we worked with 29 businesses, and over 95+ since 2005, to help them scale sustainably. Our coaches go beyond the numbers. They help entrepreneurs sharpen their leadership, streamline operations, forecast revenue, build strong teams, and access new capital. The result? A holistic roadmap for both the business and the entrepreneur behind it.
2025 Business Coaching Clients
VSJF business coaches and clients connected at a June 23, 2025 retreat at Bolton Valley Resort, featuring professional development breakout sessions and networking. Photo by Kelly Nottermann.
This year, we supported 13 businesses through funding from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets and the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board’s Farm & Forest Viability Program. In addition, we are providing coaching to 8 food system businesses, including five nonprofit food hubs thanks to funding support from the VAAFM and the USDA-Resilient Food System Infrastructure program.
Tools of the Trade
VSJF business coaches and cohort participants of the Tools of the Trade program—business coaching for energy pros celebration, which trains Vermont’s clean energy contractors in business fundamentals. Photo by Kelly Nottermann.
With funding support from Efficiency Vermont, we are delivering a new type of small business coaching program called Tools of the Trade: Business Fundamentals for Energy Pros. This intensive cohort-based coaching program targets green builders and renewable energy and weatherization contractors to help them improve their business operations so that they can attract and retain more workers in the growing climate solutions and renewable energy fields. We are excited to announce that Tools of the Trade 2.0 will take place in early 2026.