Reflecting on 2024: Growth, Partnerships, and Community Impact

2024 is swiftly coming to an end and what a year it has been for growth and collaboration here at Hayes Consulting and Coaching! We are incredibly proud of the strides we have made to better serve our community, our partners, and the small businesses we support.

Growing Our Team and Expanding Our Reach

This year, Hayes Consulting and Coaching welcomed new team members with diverse backgrounds to strengthen our ability to reach partners, community members and those we sponsor. By recruiting professionals in marketing, data management, and business development, we have ensured that our services remain both accessible and impactful for small business owners. Empowerment and community has been central to our mission, and this growth allows us to do even more for our clients and our community.

Building Connections Through Mercatus and Portland Mean Progress 

At Hayes Consulting and Coaching, we believe in amplifying the voices of minority-owned businesses, and our partnership with the Mercatus Business Directory and Portland Mean Progress has been a shining example of this commitment. Mercatus works tirelessly to build an online community that supports and promotes minority business owners at no cost to the businesses themselves. Mercatus highlights diverse industries that live, work, and serve within local communities, providing an invaluable platform for exposure and growth. Portland Means Progress is a city  - wide initiative providing connections for businesses to hire local underrepresented students and young professionals of color, purchase from businesses owned by people of color and create diverse and vibrant workforce and company cultures. Hayes Consulting and Coaching acts as the Mercatus Liaison connecting large corporations and industry partners committed to intentional purchasing to local BIPOC businesses. 

You can read more about our partnership and impact here.

Partnership within Washington County

Hayes Consulting and Coaching is excited to continue our partnership and community outreach efforts with Washington County and local small business owners - Through the Washington County Means Progress. This initiative focuses on building meaningful relationships with  the business community, inviting them to join the Mercatus Directory, and connecting them with organizations seeking their product or service. 

We are also conducting a preliminary supplier diversity assessment for Washington County. The county seeks to bring an equity lens to our role as a major purchaser of goods and services in the region. The purpose of this work is to identify barriers to County contracting, to better understand the market of diverse suppliers, and ultimately to generate a supplier diversity strategy. 

Hayes Consulting and Coaching is supporting Washington County by leading the Supplier Diversity Assessment and directly interacting with businesses located within Washington County limits. This project is funded by a grant from Results for America and their partners at the Families and Workers Fund.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we close out this year, we are already looking forward to what 2025 will bring. Hayes Consulting and Coaching will continue to expand our efforts to support local businesses and foster strong partnerships. Organizations like Prosper Portland and Washington County have been instrumental in our success, and we are excited to continue working together to create meaningful change.

In the coming year, our focus will be on growth—both geographically and in service offerings. Hayes Consulting and Coaching  is exploring opportunities to expand into additional counties across Oregon and Washington. Our team is researching innovative ways to grow diversity, provide outstanding support, and ensure that small businesses have the tools they need to succeed.

Breaking Barriers, Building Empowerment

At Hayes Consulting and Coaching, our mission remains clear: to break down barriers to financial success and create a strong foundation of connection and empowerment for our clients. We aim to uplift small business owners and private partners to help them thrive.

We are grateful for an incredible year and the opportunities to serve our community. Thank you to our partners, clients, and team members who made 2024 such a success. Here’s to an even brighter and more impactful 2025!

Happy New Year from all of us at Hayes Consulting and Coaching!