My Journey with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses:
Cohort 13 in Iowa
Written by: Raul Espinoza, Founder/Owner of Alpha Wolf Social Media LLC
In January 2025, I got the exciting news that I’d been accepted into the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, an initiative designed to help entrepreneurs like me grow our companies. Since early February, I’ve been diving into classes and connecting with an inspiring group of fellow business owners here in Iowa. As part of Cohort 13, I’m one of 26 local entrepreneurs, each bringing a unique perspective and business niche to the table. A few weeks in, I can already say this experience is shaping up to be a game-changer for both my business and me personally.
The program kicked off with a mix of excitement and nerves. Walking into that first session at the DSM DMAAC Campus I wasn’t sure what to expect. But it didn’t take long to feel at home. My cohort is a diverse bunch—think everything from Campground owners, Restaurants to retail shops to service-based businesses. Despite our differences, we’re united by a common goal: to grow and build something sustainable. It’s been refreshing to sit around a table with people who get it—the late nights, the tough calls, the thrill of a win. We’re all in the thick of it, and that shared understanding has created an instant bond with some of my classmates and the group I am in. Our team name is Team Ikagai because we all are in different niches that balance well when working together.
The classes themselves are intense but practical. We’re covering topics like financial management, marketing strategies, and leadership—stuff I’ve always known I needed to refine, but never had the time or structure to tackle. The instructors don’t just lecture; they push us to apply what we’re learning to our own businesses. For example, I’ve already started to look into how I can grow my business by implementing AI into our social media services. It’s not abstract theory—it’s hands-on, and that’s what I love about it.
What’s surprised me most, though, is the power of the cohort itself. These 26 Iowa business owners aren’t just classmates; they’re becoming a network. We bounce ideas off each other, troubleshoot challenges, and even laugh about the chaos of entrepreneurship. One person might have a great tip on how to organize and delegate your team/employees, while another knows a local supplier who could solve a logistics headache. It’s like having a built-in support system that’s as invested in my success as I am in theirs. Cohort 13 feels like a team, and that’s something I didn’t expect to find so early on.
I’m only a month in, but I’m already seeing the impact. My vision for my business is sharper, and I’m more confident about the steps I need to take to get there. The Goldman Sachs program isn’t just about learning—it’s about doing, connecting, and growing together. As an Iowa entrepreneur, being part of this feels like a rare opportunity to tap into something bigger while staying rooted in my community. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me and my Cohort 13 crew over the next few months.
Raul Espinoza
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www.alphawolfsocialmedia.com
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