From Main Street to the World Stage: How Verizon is Powering Small Business Success

The journey of a small business owner is often a quiet one, defined by early mornings, late nights, and the solitary pursuit of a dream. It’s the relentless work behind the scenes that builds a brand, serves a community, and fuels the economy. I’ve always admired the grind to build a company and at Verizon we’ve long championed small businesses and their stories. At the Verizon Small Business Training Camp, I had the opportunity to see that hustle and perseverance transform, in real-time, into a powerful, collaborative community.

Recognizing that the path to growth in a complex digital landscape requires more than just a great idea, Verizon has developed a multifaceted strategy to actively empower this critical sector, beginning with an unforgettable opportunity for a few of the nation's most promising business owners.

The Ultimate Huddle: A Game-Changing Experience

For a select group of visionary entrepreneurs, September marked a pivotal moment. Verizon Business launched its Small Business Training Camp, an all-expenses-paid, three-day immersive experience at its state-of-the-art Innovation Lab in San Francisco. The event was designed to equip business owners with the resources, partnerships, and high-level networking opportunities needed to thrive.  

But this was so much more than just a seminar. I watched attendees from across the country step away from their daily operations to invest in their growth, trading the isolation that so many entrepreneurs feel for a vibrant community. Over the course of the event, I could feel the energy shift as questions turned into strategy and ideas solidified into actionable plans. What struck me most wasn’t just their determination, it was their shared readiness to evolve.

Among the winners were six standout businesses from California, representing the state's robust entrepreneurial landscape, including: Lucky Goldie, a creative jewelry brand; Yays Snacks, an innovative jerky company based on a secret family recipe; Cap City Squeeze Juice Bar, a beloved Sacramento community hub dedicated to healthy, convenient food options, The Coffee's Crib, a mobile coffee company from Chatsworth specializing in unique lattes; Sahara Art Studios, a San Diego-based live event painting service; and Chilly Child, a Cardiff brand offering wearable blanket ponchos for toddlers.

The centerpiece of the Training Camp was unparalleled access to mentorship from two industry titans. Kristin Juszczyk, the creative force behind the sports fashion brand Off Season, offered a relatable model for turning a creative vision into a commercial success.  

“I love meeting fellow small business owners and being a part of everyone’s entrepreneurial journeys,” Juszczyk said. “I love being here. The energy is amazing. Thank you to Verizon for bringing us all together.”

Joining her was legendary football champion Drew Brees, whose journey from the NFL to successful entrepreneur offered powerful lessons on translating discipline and leadership into the business world.  

“There’s such a power in the community among small business owners,” Brees noted. “It’s a scary world out there, especially as people are starting their own business and having to figure out all of the elements that go into that. To have the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform, in addition to all these young entrepreneurs supporting one another, it’s vital to their success.”

The event was a whirlwind of expert-led panels, hands-on workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities. I had the privilege of moderating one of the discussions and watching the rest unfold. For these entrepreneurs, it was a rare opportunity to step away from the daily grind and strategize for the future.  

“I'm very honored that Verizon is working with a lot of really small, diverse businesses,” said Marlin Ramsey Chan, co-founder of Yays Snacks. “One of the hardest things about being an entrepreneur is when you're first starting out, you're a solopreneur, you have nobody on your team. You're kind of like on this crazy journey on your own. But then when you come to something like this, you get to relate to everybody around you.”

The Playbook for Success: Digital Tools and a Network You Can Trust

While the Training Camp represents an aspirational peak, the cornerstone of Verizon's commitment is Verizon’s Small Business Digital Ready program. This online hub is designed to give every small business the tools to succeed, and its most crucial feature is its accessibility: it is completely free for any small business owner, with no Verizon commitment required. This initiative is a core part of Verizon's long-term vision to provide 1 million small businesses with essential resources by 2030. The program is a comprehensive ecosystem offering personalized learning through over 50 self-paced courses, direct access to expert coaching, a vibrant peer networking community, and eligibility for grant funding. The impact is tangible: more than two-thirds of users report that the program has helped increase their business revenue and profit, and the platform has reached over 500,000 businesses since 2021.

“When I first discovered Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, it was really great because it's an online resource,” Ramsey-Chan said. “You know, you can go on there and you're like, ‘what do I need help with? Oh, I want to learn about AI. I want to learn about finances. I want to learn about social media.’ There's everything on there that you can actually learn.”

Of course, every digital tool and online strategy relies on one foundational element: a fast, secure, and reliable connection. This is where Verizon's core strength becomes a silent partner in every small business's success. A smart investment is one that is reliable, and for a small business, performance is everything. Verizon’s network quality is a proven fact, as RootMetrics' 1st Half 2025 Awards just named Verizon the Best, Fastest, and Most Reliable 5G network**.

For a business owner, this award-winning reliability means fewer dropped calls during crucial client negotiations, lightning-fast file transfers, and seamless video conferences. When your business's reputation is on the line, that trusted network provides priceless peace of mind.

Preparing for the Global Spotlight

Verizon's investment in small business is not just about meeting today's needs, but also about preparing for tomorrow's opportunities. California is set to become the epicenter of the sports world, hosting both Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium and the FIFA World Cup 26™, with matches in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. Each event promises to bring a wave of economic activity, presenting a historic opportunity for local businesses to connect with a global audience.

Verizon is ensuring that local businesses are prepared to capitalize on these events. In anticipation of the influx of commerce and tourism, Verizon has launched a series of dedicated workshops for small businesses, with stops scheduled in San Jose and Los Angeles.

These workshops will provide proactive, event-specific guidance to help local businesses get "contract-ready" for the opportunities ahead. From the inspirational heights of the Training Camp to the foundational knowledge of the Digital Ready platform, Verizon has created a complete pathway to success, powering the dreams of small business owners today and helping them seize the world stage tomorrow.

**Rankings based on the RootMetrics® United States RootScore® Report: 1H2025. Tested with best commercially available smartphones on 3 national mobile networks across all available network types. Your experiences may vary. The RootMetrics award is not an endorsement of Verizon.