The Small Business Jump Start Program will continue to offer the Venango County region several different entrepreneurial opportunities to start up a new business and enhance an existing business expansion, as well as providing survival strategies for the current challenging inflationary economic environment.
The Small Business Jump Start (SBJS) program has entered its 20th year in 2025, featuring a track record of success that has developed and sustained over 900 businesses. These entrepreneurs participated in a nine week program giving them all the expertise needed to start or grow their business.
With an 85% success rate stemming from successful entrepreneurs, the program offers a chance to make the dream of owning your own business or expanding your current business a reality, no matter whatever your previous business experience.
Gary Svetz, President of Svetz Consulting Services, LLC and lead instructor of the program, has worked with businesses in the Northwest Pennsylvania community for over 35 years. He has over 30 years of business experience, with 12 years corporate background and having owned five of his own business ventures for over 25 years.
He was selected to be placed on Pennsylvania’s Elite 100 entrepreneurs list. Svetz credits the support of the community for the success of the program, especially honoring Ronnie Beith — the former City of Franklin event coordinator who was one the program founders.
The business development program covers many different facets of running and leading a business such as finances, online marketing, operations, human resources and leadership development. Developing a business plan is just one part of the process, but developing the business owner’s knowledge and leadership capabilities is just as important.
The upcoming spring program costs $125 and includes access to over $2,500 value of benefits along with free follow-up business coaching to further continue the program’s impact and participants’ future success. The SBJS program offers a revolving small business loan for graduating
Svetz’s program continues to grow and adapt as times change.
Recently, he’s introduced several new program features to make the business experience even more effective. These services include: A sales skills tool resource assessment, time management individual profile, accounting with a QuickBooks overview, featuring software guidance from a certified instructor, business insurance, legal entities, social media business application options for the current business environment, and for experiential experiences scheduled with local on-site tour visits to SBJS program alumni that include the sharing of the business owner’s experiences and Q&A discussions.
Svetz finds that participants enjoy and find value in discussing the challenges and successes with program alumni, people that recently understand the challenges and successes of creating a business. In turn, this develops confidence and future mentorship relationships.
The program is sponsored by Northwest Bank, County of Venango, City of Franklin, Franklin Chamber of Commerce, PMP Printing, Oil Region Alliance, Rossbacher Insurance, Seneca Printing Express, Keystone Community Education Council, FICDA, Blue Canopy Marketing, Clarion County Community Bank, Svetz Consulting Services, LLC, Franklin Downtown Retail Association and Rock Steady.
The program has worked with participants from surrounding Venango, Crawford, Clarion and Mercer Counties. Additional Northwest Pennsylvania programs have originated in the Meadville region in Western Crawford County, which is starting its eighth year, and in Corry Pennsylvania in Erie County, starting its fifth year.
Gary has SBJS alumni on regional radio and TV talk shows to showcase their businesses to the community to promote their products and services.
To register for the spring session, which begins on March 11 and will to be held Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. in Franklin, please contact Ashley Rodgers at City of Franklin 814-437-1922 ext. 1131 or arodgers@franklinpa.gov.
