How can a small business owner find the time to change their community when they are barely finding the time to finish payroll?

Small businesses are the soul of our local economy, yet many founders struggle to find a way to give back while juggling the daily chaos of running a company. Nevin Bansal saw this gap firsthand. Coming from a corporate background with endless resources, he realized that small business owners often want to volunteer but lack a clear roadmap to get started.

Small Biz Cares was born from the idea that giving back should not be a luxury for the big players; it should be part of every company's DNA. By moving away from stuffy networking events and toward shared "sweat equity" experiences—like sorting toys for the holidays or making no-sew blankets—founders are building deeper, values-based relationships that actually strengthen their local network. It turns out that when you lead with service, the business growth follows naturally. This is a journey about moving beyond just surviving to finding a purpose statement that inspires both goodness and greatness in others.

Episode in a glance

00:00 The origin and birth of Small Biz Cares

02:56 Launching the first community service events

05:20 Pivoting impact and storytelling during the pandemic

07:40 Advice for new owners on getting involved

09:53 Marketing your business through community service

14:37 The Power of Shared Experiences

20:53 How community leadership changes your perspective

About Nevin Bansal

Nevin Bansal is the Executive Director of Small Biz Cares and the founder of Outreach Promos. With over 14 years of experience running his own business, he is a passionate advocate for small business community engagement. He focuses on helping founders align their professional goals with meaningful local impact through volunteering, fundraising, and storytelling.

Connect with Nevin Bansal and his work

→ Visit the Small Biz Cares website: smallbizcares.org

→ Connect with Nevin on LinkedIn: Nevin Bansal