On April 14, Oakland Thrive hosted the second installment of its six-part small business educational series in partnership with Fifth Third Bank. We welcomed 14 small business owners focused on strengthening business planning and financial readiness skills. During the session, Oakland Thrive’s Manager of Small Business Services Jonathan deSanctis guided participants through the key components of building a strong business plan including defining business models, identifying target markets, and setting operational goals. Representatives from Fifth Third Bank provided valuable insight into the lending process. Participants also received practical guidance on creating financial projections, understanding startup and operating costs, developing foundational financial statements to support business growth, and following fraud prevention best practices. Overall, the session equipped participants with practical tools, financial education, and banking insights designed to support long-term business sustainability and improved access to capital.
