Start-up and small businesses are a driving force in our nation’s economy and add to the vibrancy of our local communities. They provide jobs, career opportunities, and give back to their communities, yet they face significant barriers to growth.
The small business landscape has changed dramatically over the last several years, most notably related to consumer behavior due to an increasingly technological world. During the pandemic, businesses that fared best either had an existing digital presence or were able to quickly pivot their business model online. Yet, too many diverse, and limited English-speaking businesses lacked the skills and resources to adapt and were left behind.
It’s clear that digital technology is driving the recovery for small businesses. This is why The Center created the Digital Literacy Accelerator program, to give underserved entrepreneurs a chance to gain the skills, tools, and knowledge to compete in today’s digital landscape. The program, offered in both English and Spanish, couples virtual sessions with one-on-one advising to help a cohort of small business owners better understand how to scale their business online through digital marketing and guidance on creating an actionable marketing plan.
Leading the English cohort of the Digital Literacy Accelerator program is Zhe (pronounced zee) Scott, CEO, President, and Founder of The SEO Queen. A six-figure full-service digital marketing company, The SEO Queen helps small businesses get more clients and revenue without paying for expensive ad campaigns through the power of SEO, website design, and mobile app development.
A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Zhe obtained a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy at the Ford School of Government. When she was an undergraduate at MIT, Zhe built her first website and it was then that she understood the power of the internet.
Zhe launched The SEO Queen in 2017 and it is where she fulfills her passion to make an impact by helping small businesses, woman-owned businesses, and black-owned businesses win. Since founding the company, she has helped drive over $250,000,000 in revenue for her clients.
“My goal is to show small business owners that they can grow their businesses with the right strategy and technology mix,” said Zhe. “Over the years I have gotten more and more clear about how to help Main Street, and the Digital Literacy Accelerator is another opportunity for me to share with other business owners what strategies are working right now so that they are empowered in their business.”
Learn more about the Digital Literacy Accelerator Program at https://thecenterbylendistry.org/digital-literacy-accelerator/.