Micro Business Development
Have you ever considered launching a business? Do you have a business but still have questions and would like to learn more about business management?
From startup to long-term sustainability, we support new and established entrepreneurs to make their dreams and aspirations a reality.
-
One-to-one business counseling: Experienced counselors, who have owned their own businesses and intimately understand the challenges and rewards, offer support from the start of your vision, through the planning stages, all the way to launch day. From there, we offer continued support to help you meet your goals and maintain and grow a successful business. For clients who have established businesses, we can offer assistance specific to your needs.
-
Business Workshops: We offer periodic workshops covering every topic a budding or established entrepreneur needs to know in order to start, maintain, and grow a business. Check out our Workshops for more information! Please note the new series begins on October 14, 2026.
-
Funding Opportunities:
Community Capital of VT Our counselors can get you “loan ready” by helping you build a business plan and build your credit so that you are ready to finance your business.
If you’d like to meet with a counselor, please fill out the intake form and submit. A counselor will reach out to you to schedule an appointment.
Find a Business Counselor
Washington, Lamoille and Orange Counties
Rosie Gray is a an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) through AFCPE and an experienced Micro Business Counselor dedicated to strengthening both personal financial stability and small business sustainability.
Rosie specializes in financial capability building, credit improvement, debt reduction strategies, budgeting systems, and long-term financial goal planning. She works with clients to assess income, expenses, liabilities, and financial behaviors in order to develop practical, structured action plans that support measurable progress.
In addition to individual financial counseling, Rosie provides technical assistance to aspiring and established micro-entrepreneurs. She supports clients with business planning, startup feasibility, pricing strategy, cash-flow management, bookkeeping systems, and financial projections. Her approach emphasizes sound financial management as the foundation of business viability.
Through her work with Capstone Community Action, Rosie serves individuals and small business owners navigating financial hardship, growth transitions, and income variability. By integrating behavioral finance principles with small business development strategies, she equips clients with the knowledge, tools, and accountability needed to build economic resilience and long-term financial security.
Contact Rosie Gray at 802-636-7752 or rgray@capstonevt.org
Business Startup Basics Workshop Series
Do you have an idea for a small or micro business? Are you ready to turn your big idea into a real income stream? Whether you’re dreaming of a side hustle or launching a passion project, this workshop series is your ultimate starter kit! We’ll cover the basics of microbusiness success in a fun, approachable way with no MBA required!
Join Rosie Gray, Capstone's Financial Coach, to learn more in this FUN and FREE 6-week online series!
Sessions are held Wednesdays from 9 AM to 11 AM. Dates for each session can be found on our Workshops page.
This series begins on October 14, 2026.
How to Register:
Fill out the Intake Form (linked below) to sign up for a single class or the entire series.
Questions? Contact Rosie at 802-636-7752 or email rgray@capstonevt.org.
Workshop Series Details:
Week 1 - Bookkeeping & Record Keeping
Stay organized, tax ready, and stress-free. Effective record-keeping is the backbone of a successful business. By ensuring your financial transactions, operations, and critical data are organized and easily accessible, you gain the clarity needed for smart decision-making, compliance, and accurate reporting. Don’t just manage your records—leverage them to drive your business forward with confidence.
Week 2 - What You Need to Know Before You Start a Business
Thinking about starting your own business? Before you take the leap, there are a few key things you need to know to set yourself up for success.
Week 3 – How to Write a Business Plan: Part 1
Focus on writing your business description and management description.
Week 4 – How to Write a Business Plan: Part 2
Focus will be on writing your Vision/Mission Statement and determining your business location.
Week 5 - All things money!
What lending might look like. Your personal budget and your business budget aka Cashflow (guest presenter)
Week 6 - Marketing & Social Media
Marketing is the engine that drives business success. Whether you’re just starting or looking to sharpen your skills, this class gives you the tools and strategies to make your brand shine, connect with your customers, and grow your business.
In today’s digital world, your customers are online—are you? Social media marketing is the key to meeting your audience where they are, building meaningful relationships, and turning followers into loyal customers. (guest presenter)
Registered participants click here to join the session
Presented in partnership with the Micro Business Development Program.
Special Class Series: Get Ready for Tax Season (in person) Workshop Series
Workshop Series Details:
Join Rosie Gray, Capstone's Financial Coach, to learn more in this 3-class, in-person series on Wednesdays from 9am to 11am on December 2, 2026, December 9, 2026 and December 16, 2026.
Tax season doesn’t have to be overwhelming! In this hands-on and in person MBDP class, we’ll take the first step toward getting your business tax-ready by identifying where your business money comes from and where it goes.
You’ll learn how to identify and categorize common business income and expenses, understand the difference between business and personal expenses, and recognize which records you need to keep. We’ll also cover common expense categories such as advertising, supplies, mileage, insurance, professional services, equipment, meals, and more.
You’ll leave with:
- A clear list of your business income sources
- A better understanding of your business expenses
- A simple system for organizing expenses
- An income and expense worksheet to take back to your business
- Practical next steps for getting ready for tax season
**Perfect for: Microbusiness owners who want to get organized, understand their numbers, and feel more prepared when working with their tax professional.
