About Us
Since we first opened our doors more than 25 years ago, Entrepreneur Works has been guided by one overarching goal: creating opportunities. From our start supporting Philadelphia’s ecosystem of community development corporations to our current work with small businesses and entrepreneurs, we’ve always been committed to meeting the needs of underserved communities in the Greater Philadelphia region.
Timeline
Entrepreneur Works creates pathways of opportunity for talented yet underserved entrepreneurs.
Across the Philadelphia region, our clients start and grow small businesses, create jobs for themselves and their neighbors, and strengthen the local economy. Entrepreneur Works is a nonprofit organization that offers access to microloans, business training, and one-on-one guidance to hundreds of entrepreneurs each year, empowering small business owners from all walks of life to succeed, prosper, and build sustainable communities. Learn even more about Entrepreneur Works and read our Annual Report here.
Percentage of clients who are women: 60%
Percentage of clients who are low to moderate income: 68%
Percentage of clients who identify as minority: 83%
jobs created (in 2015)
business survival rate
business start rate
Meet the Team
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Leslie Benoliel
President & CEO
[email protected]As President & CEO, Leslie makes it possible for Entrepreneur Works to serve the needs of Philadelphia-area small business owners by keeping the organization running strong.
(215) 545-3100 Ext. 223 -
Earl Boyd
Director of Entrepreneur Services
[email protected]Looking for help as you start or grow your business? Earl offers guidance to small business owners at all stages of their entrepreneurial journeys.
(215) 545-3100 Ext. 229 -
Antoinette Truehart
Managing Director, Entrepreneur Works of Delaware County
[email protected]Are you a Delaware County-based small business owner? If you’re looking for support, reach out to Antoinette -- the face of our organization in Delaware County.
(610) 499-7528 -
Brian Ranck
Loan Associate
[email protected]Are you considering applying for a small business loan? Reach out to Brian for more information on eligibility and the loan application process.
(215) 545-3100 Ext. 227 -
Malika Bethea
Program Associate
[email protected]Interested in our Start It. Grow It. business skills class, special topics workshops, or other upcoming events? Reach out to Malika to learn more.
(215) 545-3100 Ext. 222 -
Debra Kardon-Brown
Office Administrator
[email protected]As our Office Administrator, Deb makes sure our office runs smoothly every day.
(215) 545-3100 Ext. 231
Entrepreneur Works & Entrepreneur Works Fund Officers
Leslie H. Benoliel, President
President & CEO, Entrepreneur Works
Jerry L. Cotlov, Chair
Executive Vice President, East River Bank
Capt. Mark Delowery, DO, Secretary
Retired, US Public Health Service
James E. Hartling, Vice Chair
Partner, Urban Partners
Donald Haskin, Treasurer
Retired, Citi Community Development
Frederick Heldring, Chairman Emeritus (1924-2013)
William A. Smith, Vice Chair
Retired, Citizens Bank
Antoinette C. Truehart, Vice President
Managing Director, Entrepreneur Works of Delaware County
Board of Directors
Krista Bard
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Lithuania President, Bard Advisors, Inc. President Emerita, Center City Proprietors Associations
Levar Clark
President, Bear & Co.
Ann DeLaura
Retired, CoreStates Bank
Melinda Emerson
President, Quintessence Multimedia
Jeanne Fields
Vice President, Institutional Banking, The Bancorp
Sharon Slater
Vice President, Prudential Savings Bank
Sharmain Matlock-Turner
President/CEO, Urban Affairs Coalition
Kameale Terry
Store Manager, Eastern Montgomery County, Wells Fargo Bank N.A.
James E. Turner
Chester Water Authority, Business Development Division
Shelly Anthony White
Community Partnerships Manager, Mid-Atlantic, Santander Bank
Alan Wilson
Senior Vice President, SBA Portfolio Manager, Fulton Bank