Tiffany Spraggins-Payne’s journey as a leader in Philadelphia’s small-business community is deeply rooted in her deep commitment to empowering others. As the Director of the Power Up Your Business program at the Community College of Philadelphia, Spraggins-Payne works to provide the resources, mentorship, and connections to diverse, minority, and women entrepreneurs.
A Foundation in Community
Spraggins-Payne’s commitment to economic development and community support began early in her life in West Philadelphia. “Residents here are some of the most overlooked assets,” she says, reflecting on the importance of local entrepreneurs in driving change within their neighborhoods.
This perspective shaped her career, with a focus on helping those in underserved areas access the tools that they desperately need to grow their businesses.
Spraggins-Payne recalls an early influence in her life, Ms. Shirley, who operated a hot dog cart in her neighborhood. “She showed me that one decision to start a business could change the course of a family’s future.”
Ms. Shirley’s ability to turn a small cart into a community staple is the kind of entrepreneurial spirit that Spraggins-Payne fosters in the entrepreneurs that she works with today.
Leading the Power Up Your Business Program
Since 2022, Spraggins-Payne has served as Director and leads the Power Up Your Business program, a 12-week, 36-hour initiative designed to equip Philadelphia’s diverse, minority, and women-owned small businesses with the tools, networks, and expertise they need to scale and thrive. Her vision and leadership have not only shaped the program’s future direction but have also positioned her as a powerful example of effective leadership in urban environments—bridging the gap between higher education and business attraction in Philadelphia, a rare and notable quality.
Under her leadership, the program has seen a 26% increase in the sophistication of enrolled businesses, with higher self-reported revenue generated year over year, resulting in stronger outcomes: increased cohort retention, more jobs created and retained post-graduation, secured contracts, greater credentialing for graduates, and overall improved business acumen.
“To date, we’ve worked with over 500 businesses, with 96 percent being minority-owned, 72 percent women-owned, and 12 percent LGBTQIA+,” Spraggins-Payne notes. She emphasizes that the program intentionally focuses on underserved communities, contributing to the vibrancy of Philadelphia’s small business ecosystem by cultivating trust and yielding measurable results in sustainability and growth across all business models—brick-and-mortar, home-based, and e-commerce.
She inspires her team through purpose-driven leadership, coaching, and personalized professional development, empowering them to embrace an entrepreneurial mindset and build lasting relationships with participants, graduates, and industry partners. With a curriculum guided by subject matter experts—faculty and coaches with direct expertise across various fields of business operations—the program remains aligned with market trends and responsive to the real-time needs of small businesses, serving as a vital engine for inclusive economic growth in Philadelphia.
“Participants, alumni, and community partners have often shared that having me lead the Power Up Your Business program has made a real difference—not just because representation matters, but because of the ability to truly listen, understand where people need support, and tailor experiences to meet their unique business development goals. It’s a humbling privilege to serve Philadelphia-based businesses in this way and be part of their journey toward growth and success.” she adds.
A key driver of Power Up’s success is its robust network of local connections, which significantly amplifies its impact. These strategic partnerships—with entities ranging from the City of Philadelphia to major corporations and initiatives like ComcastRISE—provide invaluable resources including consultation, technology, and educational support. These collaborations offer program participants critical access to discretionary capital, networking opportunities, and government contracts, all of which play an essential role in accelerating business growth. Under Spraggins-Payne’s leadership, she has strengthened these relationships, further enhancing their ability to support small businesses. The strength of these partnerships has directly translated into measurable success for Power Up graduates. Businesses that have completed the program have collectively secured over $230,000 in unrestricted grants and technical assistance, underscoring the program’s pivotal role as a catalyst for sustainable growth and economic empowerment in the region.
The Struggles Minority Entrepreneurs Face
Spraggins-Payne’s role allows her to see firsthand the obstacles faced by minority entrepreneurs. The most common pain point she encounters is marketing. Many small business owners are unsure of how to reach their target audience effectively. “They often say they’ve spent money on Facebook ads or attended pop-up events but aren’t seeing enough foot traffic to justify the cost,” Spraggins-Payne explains.
Another challenge is access to capital. “Many entrepreneurs come to us having already drained their personal savings or even their 401(k)s to fund their businesses,” she explains. “When they reach a point where they need external funding, they’re unsure where to turn.” In response, Power Up works to connect these businesses to funding sources, whether through community-development financial institutions (CDFIs) or government programs.
With the advent of generative AI and virtual assistants, Spraggins-Payne and her team have had many conversations with program participants and graduates about automating routine tasks and outsourcing specific logistics and projects to subject matter experts on a fractional basis. This approach allows entrepreneurs to focus on the more strategic aspects of their business while reducing the overwhelming load of day-to-day tasks. She also highlights the most common observations with participants in the program, noting that “many entrepreneurs find themselves overwhelmed, juggling multiple roles.” Spraggins-Payne further discusses the difficulty of balancing the demands of running a business while maintaining personal well-being. “A lot of entrepreneurs struggle with burnout because they’re doing everything themselves. It’s crucial for them to understand the importance of delegation and to build the right team that can support them effectively.”
The Role of Strategic Design in Business Growth
Spraggins-Payne’ background in Strategic Design, earned through her MBA, plays a central role in how she approaches business development. She emphasizes the use of design thinking — a method that encourages deep empathy, understanding customer needs, and solving problems with innovative solutions. This approach allows business owners to reframe their value proposition and better align their services with market demand.
“The key is empathy,” Spraggins-Payne states. “When you truly understand the needs of your customers and the challenges your business faces, you can make better decisions.” She explains that design thinking helps entrepreneurs move beyond traditional competition and focus on creating value that resonates with their target audience.
By asking pointed questions and using data-driven insights, Spraggins-Payne helps entrepreneurs better understand their industries and identify ways to stand out. She works with them to build smart goals and develop actionable plans that lead to sustainable business growth.
Breaking Down Barriers in Politics and Public-Private Partnerships
A significant challenge Spraggins-Payne faces in her work is navigating the political landscape—an area she initially approached with uncertainty. Without a formal background in politics or training in public administration, she nonetheless quickly recognized the vital role that government relationships play in creating opportunities for small businesses. Rather than allowing this unfamiliar territory to limit her effectiveness, she embraced it as an opportunity to grow. “I don’t have a political background, but I’ve learned to navigate these spaces and help businesses break through. When taking on this role, I feared it would impede my ability to be effective as a leader,” she explains. Instead, this challenge has become one of her greatest strengths, enhancing her ability to advocate for the communities and entrepreneurs she represents.
Her approach involves understanding the agendas of key stakeholders and co-authoring strategies that create win-win situations for both business owners and policymakers. She stresses the importance of removing silos that often exist between small businesses and large corporations or government agencies. “When silos are broken, it opens up opportunities for collaboration,” Spraggins-Payne says.
The Future of Minority Entrepreneurship
Looking forward, Spraggins-Payne sees a future where technology plays a crucial role in helping small businesses scale and compete. “Technology can streamline operations, automate routine tasks, and give entrepreneurs more time to focus on what they do best,” she notes. By utilizing tools like Zoom, Hootsuite, and Calendly, small business owners can improve efficiency and better manage their operations.
One area Spraggins-Payne is particularly excited about is the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can change the way businesses operate. “AI can help with everything from developing job descriptions to creating proposals,” she explains. “It’s about giving small business owners the tools to be more effective and stay competitive.”
She also sees the role of networking and community as key factors in business growth. “The goal is to create a support system where businesses can learn from each other and grow together. By fostering collaboration, we build a stronger business ecosystem that benefits everyone.
A Legacy of Support and Change
Mrs. Tiffany Spraggins-Payne is a champion for small business owners, especially those who have often been left behind. Through the Power Up Your Business program, she is helping to reshape Philadelphia’s entrepreneurial landscape by providing practical resources, fostering authentic relationships, and advocating for diverse, minority and women entrepreneurs who are working to build better futures for themselves and their families.
Her work is a reminder of the power of community-driven economic development. By helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of business growth, access vital resources, and build lasting relationships, Spraggins-Payne is creating a foundation for long-term change.
This article is made possible with the support from the following organizations:
Dr. Eric John Nzeribe is the Publisher of FunTimes Magazine and has a demonstrated history of working in the publishing industry since 1992. His interests include using data to understand and solve social issues, narrative stories, digital marketing, community engagement, and online/print journalism features. Dr. Nzeribe is a social media and communication professional with certificates in Digital Media for Social Impact from the University of Pennsylvania, Digital Strategies for Business: Leading the Next-Generation Enterprise from Columbia University, and a Master of Science (MS) in Publication Management from Drexel University and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Temple University.
