By Cathy Bonser, Director, Cultivate Lancaster
Connecting entrepreneurs, small business owners, and nonprofit leaders to the resources, mentors, and community that fuel success in Greater Lancaster.
Maybe you’re noodling an idea. Maybe you’re building, launching, growing, or expanding. Maybe you’re even transitioning or closing a chapter. Wherever you are on your entrepreneurial journey, Cultivate Lancaster is here to support you.
Running a business or a nonprofit means juggling a lot, and figuring out who to call can feel like a job of its own. Here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it out alone. Cultivate Lancaster brings the information, connections, and services available across Greater Lancaster together on one small business platform, so you can spend less time searching and more time building.
What you’ll find:
- Service Providers: A curated directory of local organizations and professionals whose mission is to serve small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders.
- Business Mentors: Experienced business professionals who provide practical guidance on starting, running, and growing your business or nonprofit, and who help you navigate the site. Confidential business mentoring is available at no cost to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders.
- Funding: Guidance on how to prepare for and find funding, plus resources for start-up capital and investment capital for established businesses.
- Events and Programs: One easy place to find local programs and event calendars from across the network, covering the topics small business owners care about most.
Why Lancaster is different
Greater Lancaster’s business community is special for two reasons. First, our economy is powered by small businesses, nonprofits, and solopreneurs who build and run successful operations in communities across the region. Second, we’re home to a remarkable number of nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping those businesses thrive.
Cultivate Lancaster’s mission is to connect these two groups so they can collaborate efficiently, for the success of local businesses and the betterment of our whole community.
Hear from the business owners we serve
“I have been working with Eric Parker as my business mentor since 2017. Being a small business owner who wears multiple hats within the business, my time with Eric is spent clarifying priorities and organizing systems to meet my goals. It is a gift to share his time, resources, and guidance, helping me stay grounded in moments that can feel disorienting at times. We are privileged to have Cultivate Lancaster providing support to keeping small businesses thriving in Lancaster County.”
Darcy Taylor, Salon Enso
“There are dreams you can pursue alone, but there are milestones you reach because someone believed in you enough to guide you. I am incredibly grateful for my mentor, who patiently walked me through every step of creating my business plan and helped turn my vision into a reality. Her knowledge, encouragement, and unwavering support have brought me to the accomplishment of my dream.”
Andres Pabon, Owner, XiKar Lounge By Andrés
And from the business mentors who make it happen
Behind every one of those success stories is a volunteer business mentor who chose to share their professional experience with a local entrepreneur. Here’s why they do it:
“Helping local small businesses flourish is rewarding, but developing relationships with my clients and contributing to their personal and professional growth is especially fulfilling. I enjoy teaming up with my mentor colleagues and Cultivate Lancaster’s partner organizations to make a positive economic and social impact in our community.”
Steve Darby, Cultivate Lancaster Business Mentor
“What I enjoy most about being part of Cultivate Lancaster is the opportunity to give back by supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening our business community. It’s inspiring to work alongside talented mentors and passionate business owners who are committed to innovation, growth, and creating meaningful impact in Lancaster.”
John Schenkel, Cultivate Lancaster Business Mentor
Ready to jump in?
If you’re building something, explore cultivatelancaster.com to browse resources, connect with service providers, and request a business mentor. Help is closer than you think.
If you have business experience to share, consider becoming a Cultivate Lancaster Business Mentor. Whether your background is in operations, finance, marketing, leadership, or running your own company, your real-world expertise can help a local entrepreneur make smarter decisions and avoid costly missteps. You’ll join a community of professionals who are helping local businesses grow, and you may find it’s as rewarding for you as it is for the people you guide. Visit the mentoring page at cultivatelancaster.com/mentors to find a mentor or learn how to become one.
If your organization serves small businesses, we’d love to hear from you. If you offer services that are valuable and essential to small businesses and want to be listed as a service provider on our website, contact us at connect@cultivatelancaster.com.
Together, we can make Greater Lancaster a place where every good idea gets the support it deserves.
Learn More
Read more about Lancaster’s small business community in our latest publication, Small Business Success— A resource magazine for small business owners and entrepreneurs throughout Lancaster County!
not secure