The Lonely Entrepreneur
Helping entrepreneurs turn their passion into success
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Virtually everyone is an entrepreneur, wants to be an entrepreneur, or will work with or for an entrepreneur. These skills are no longer “nice to have” but rather key skills to help individuals realize their potential – even if they do not call themselves entrepreneurs. And the importance of entrepreneurism has grown due to the impact of COVID. For existing entrepreneurs, COVID has had a dramatic impact on their businesses. At the same time, entrepreneurs no longer have access to workspaces, incubators or startup ecosystems. Second, many people who have lost jobs as a result of COVID-19 will need to become entrepreneurs - either as a matter of choice or necessity. Whether you are in the inner city or corporate America, your path to a successful future will cross with the need for these entrepreneurial skills. In this day and age, entrepreneurism is the pathway to not only start or grow a business but to build a better life and realize their potential.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
The Lonely Entrepreneur Learning Community
Entrepreneurial skills are no longer a “nice to have,” they are key skills to help individuals realize their potential. We provide these skills via The Lonely Entrepreneur Learning Community platform.
The Learning Community is a one-stop shop for the knowledge, tools and support an individual needs to start or grow a business. It includes:
- Knowledge: 500 learning modules that cover the business and personal issues entrepreneurs face
- Tools: 100s of templates (e.g., business plans) and reviews of vendors (e.g., accounting)
- Ongoing Support: through two channels - an online community and group coaching - where they get questions answered
- 150+ Funding Sources: various funding sources available for entrepreneurs
- 100+ Vendors: reviews, discounts and a list of “vetted vendors”
- 200+ Procurement Opportunities: opportunities from governments and companies
See https://youtu.be/b-jV03qLVxc and https://lonelyentrepreneur.com/program-highlights to learn more.
Black Entrepreneur Initiative
In 2020, The Lonely Entrepreneur launched a groundbreaking program called the Black Entrepreneur Initiative. The goal of the Black Entrepreneur Initiative is to empower 100,000 Black entrepreneurs by providing them with free access to the knowledge, tools and support they need to start or grow a business. The program has led to an unprecedented cooperation among corporations, philanthropies and governments including a partnership with the Milwaukee Bucks launched on Martin Luther King Day (https://rb.gy/gw6bp8) and with the iconic Richard Petty Motorsports where the Black Entrepreneur Initiative will appear on the iconic #43 race car throughout the NASCAR season (https://rb.gy/5kdryh).
Here is a video on the initiative: https://youtu.be/lXGGY9ddtLM
Supporters include UPS, Molson Coors, Microsoft, ESPN, AARP, Urban League, the Milwaukee Bucks, Black Chamber of Commerce, Ally Bank, Lakewood Church, Richard Petty, Urban Leadership Fund, the NFL Players Association, and many more.
Entrepreneur Survival Guide
The Lonely Entrepreneur created a FREE Entrepreneur Survival Guide – a program designed to give entrepreneurs the tools and action steps they need to survive (and even thrive in) the midst of COVID 19. This was given for free to over 10,000 entrepreneurs.
Where we work
Accreditations
Great Non-Profits 2021
Fidelity Charity 2021
National Philanthropic Partners 2021
Jewish Communal Fund 2021
RW Institute and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 2019
CISCO Employee Charitable Fund 2022
Awards
Great Non-Profits 2021 2021
Great Non-Profits
Great Non-Profits 2021 2021
Great Non-Profits
Force for Change 2020
Leading Women
Market Player 2019
RW Institute and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Affiliations & memberships
National Urban League 2022
US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2022
National ACE 2022
Black Chamber of Commerce 2022
UPS 2022
Wayne State University 2020
Richard Petty Motorsports 2021
Charlotte Hornetts 2022
NFL Players Association 2022
American University 2022
Urban Ubnound 2022
Rutgers Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development 2022
HISPA 2022
Microsoft 2022
ESPN 2022
Lakewood Church 2022
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of current or aspiring entrepreneurs that have used the Learning Community
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Ethnic and racial groups, Age groups, Social and economic status, Self-employed people
Related Program
The Lonely Entrepreneur Learning Community
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Through our various partnerships and programs, we have been able to serve these number of individuals.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The Lonely Entrepreneur, Inc. (TLE) is a 501(c)(3) corporation formed in 2018 and based in New York City. It is the sister company of TLE Enterprises LLC, founded in 2015. Since its founding in 2015, and with the creation of its non-profit in 2018, TLE has provided solutions to thousands of entrepreneurs worldwide through The Lonely Entrepreneur Learning Community, an online platform that is a one-stop shop for the knowledge, tools and support entrepreneurs need (the “Learning Community”).
TLE’s Mission is to empower 1 million entrepreneurs worldwide and to help individuals of all races, creeds, and geographies (and especially underserved communities) with access to the entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and tools they need to start or grow a business, build a better life and realize their potential.
What began as a mission in 2015 has now become a mandate. In a post-COVID-19 world, we believe virtual any-time anywhere access to entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and tools will play a vital part in our economic recovery.
TLE is dedicated to providing individuals of all races, creeds, and geographies (and especially underserved communities) with access to the entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and tools they need to start or grow a business, build a better life and realize their potential.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
TLE empowers individuals with the knowledge, tools and support to start or grow a business. We do this by giving them free access to The Lonely Entrepreneur Learning Community. Because the Learning Community provides an individual what they need to start or grow a business, it can be applied to meet multiple objectives:
Our Funder's Priorities: the specific demographic, location, industry, stage or focus of our funding partner.
Black Entrepreneur Initiative: this initiative seeks to empower 100,000 current and aspiring Black entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools and ongoing support they need. It combines the core elements of the Learning Community with additional rich content addressing the issues and opportunities facing the Black Community. Learn more here: https://youtu.be/lXGGY9ddtLM
Geography-Based Initiatives: we can apply the program to the specific geography of our funding partner. In these programs, we take the core Learning Community and add "local" content to provide the community with the solution it needs.
The Learning Community is a proven program that has been implemented throughout the world for thousands of entrepreneurs. It is supported by a distinguished set of board members, advisors and partners.
For more information, please see the following links:
• Program Highlights: https://lonelyentrepreneur.com/program-highlights
• Board: https://lonelyentrepreneur.com/board/
• Advisors: https://lonelyentrepreneur.com/advisors
• Partners: https://lonelyentrepreneur.com/partners-and-supporters/
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Lonely Entrepreneur has created the Learning Community - a one-stop shop for much of the knowledge, tools and ongoing support an individual needs to start or grow a business. It includes the elements necessary to empower current and aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Knowledge: 350 learning modules that cover both the business and personal issues entrepreneurs face
- Tools: 100s of templates (e.g., business plans, legal agreements) and reviews of the top vendors and solution providers they need (e.g., accounting software)
- Ongoing Support and Community: through two channels - an online community and weekly group coaching - where they can get their daily questions answered
- Funding Sources: various funding sources available for entrepreneurs
- Vendors: vendor reviews, discounts and a list of “vetted vendors” (including some free resources)
- Procurement/Revenue Opportunities: opportunities made available by governments and private companies to service their organizations
- Access: 24/7 access from any desktop or mobile device – a key element during COVID
Having the Learning Community at every step of the journey significantly increases an individual's chance of success. Here is a video to learn more: https://youtu.be/b-jV03qLVxc
TLE has the flexibility to provide the Learning Community to the individuals you would like to support. This can be any of the following:
· Geography: individuals in designated zip codes
· Demographic: selection based on race, gender, age or other demographic criteria
· Type: segments such as military, urban, mothers or other segments
· Group: a specific group you currently support or work with
· Industry: a specific industry
See Program Highlights for some of the programs and the various audiences we serve.
https://lonelyentrepreneur.com/program-highlights
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The Learning Community is a proven program that has been implemented throughout the world for thousands of entrepreneurs. TLE and the Learning Community have served over 71,000 entrepreneurs in 192 countries throughout the world. Most importantly, it’s impact has been felt by current and aspiring entrepreneurs – and especially entrepreneurs in our underserved communities. Visit https://lonelyentrepreneur.com/bei-impact/ to hear from some of those entrepreneurs.
TLE has been consistently recognized as a market leader.
• In 2021, TLE was named a "Great Non- Profit" by Great Non-Profits and earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar, the world’s largest database of nonprofit organizations.
• In 2020, in the wake of the George Floyd tragedy, TLE launched its Black Entrepreneur Initiative with the goal to empower 100,000 current and aspiring Black entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools and support they need to start or grow a business. The program has already helped 19,000 Black entrepreneurs. Here is a video on the initiative.
• In 2020, in midst of COVID-19, TLE launched its “Entrepreneur Survival Guide” - a program designed to give entrepreneurs the tools and action steps they need to survive (and even thrive! in) this harrowing economic climate. This survival guide (which was built with much of the know-how developed by founder Michael Dermer in his journey through the 2008 financial crisis) was provided free to over 11,000 entrepreneurs throughout the world. Visit https://lonelyentrepreneur.com/survival-guide/.
• In 2020, TLE won the "Force for Change Award" recognizing organizations for leading innovations in the area of entrepreneurship
• In 2019, TLE was recently recognized as a market leader by the RW Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
TLE has had the privilege of working with esteemed organizations including UPS, Molson Coors, Microsoft, ESPN, the New York Stock Exchange, National Urban League, US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National ACE, National Urban League, AARP, One Columbus, Bank of America, PNC Bank, the Milwaukee Bucks, Black Chamber of Commerce, Ally Bank, Lakewood Church, Richard Petty Motorsports, Urban Leadership Fund, the NFL Players Association, the Charlotte Hornets, Cerner, Sherman Phoenix, West Side United, American University, Wells Fargo, African American Chamber of Commerce, Urban Upbound, Winston & Strawn, Wayne State University, Ice Miller, Sterling National Bank, Dell, Oracle, Staples, World Woman Foundation, City Current, Cambridge Innovation Center, NYU, Future Founders, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, Future Business Leaders of America, Rutgers Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development, World Chicago, Bucknell University, and many others.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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Who are the people you serve with your mission?
We believe that one of the most important ways to empower a group of people is to empower them with entrepreneurial skills. Virtually everyone is an entrepreneur, wants to be an entrepreneur, or will work with or for an entrepreneur. These skills are no longer “nice to have” but rather key skills to help individuals realize their potential – even if they do not call themselves entrepreneurs.
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How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
SMS text surveys, Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees, Suggestion box/email,
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve,
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What significant change resulted from feedback?
On the heels of our Black Entrepreneur Initiative we launched a Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative with the goal of empowering 100,000 Hispanic entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools and support they need to succeed.
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With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners,
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive,
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
The people we serve tell us they find data collection burdensome,
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
The Lonely Entrepreneur
Board of directorsas of 06/13/2022
Michael Dermer
TLE Enterprises LLC
Term: 2018 -
Victoria Sherman
The Lonely Entrepreneur
Marcel Portmann
Portmann Consulting Group
Sadiq Shariff
Naztec International Group
Yvette Donado
Consultant
Dale Moss
Moss Martin Media
Michael Dermer
The Lonely Entrepreneur
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 06/05/2020GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.