Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
January 30, 2026

Texas State's LIFT Program Boosts Small Business Marketing Confidence by 92%

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TLDR

  • Texas State University's LIFT accelerator gives small businesses a competitive edge by boosting social media marketing confidence by 45 percentage points for growth.
  • The six-week LIFT program pairs research with applied training, moving participants from foundational principles to platform analytics and content strategy.
  • LIFT strengthens local economies by equipping small business owners with practical tools to grow revenue, create jobs, and stabilize communities.
  • Participants accessed an AI Business Coach for tailored guidance, with one noting the program revealed a brand is what customers feel, not just a logo.

Impact - Why it Matters

This news matters because small businesses form the backbone of local economies, creating jobs and driving community prosperity. When business owners lack essential marketing skills, they struggle to reach customers, grow revenue, and compete effectively. The LIFT program's dramatic success—with 97% of participants achieving 'good' or 'expert' social media knowledge—demonstrates a scalable solution to this widespread challenge. By equipping entrepreneurs with practical tools and confidence, programs like LIFT directly contribute to economic stability and growth. In an era where digital presence is crucial for business survival, such initiatives help level the playing field for small enterprises against larger competitors. The collaboration between universities, business organizations, and foundations creates a powerful model that could be replicated nationwide, potentially transforming small business success rates and strengthening local economies across the country.

Summary

Texas State University's SCALEUP initiative has successfully launched its groundbreaking Learning and Insights for Forward Traction (LIFT) accelerator program, designed specifically to empower small business leaders with essential marketing skills. Developed in collaboration with the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) and supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, this six-week program attracted over 3,000 applicants, with more than 300 participants in its inaugural cohort. The program's core focus was on transforming marketing confidence through practical training, moving participants from foundational principles to advanced topics like platform analytics, content strategy, and goal setting. Key players include Dr. Josh Daspit, director of SCALEUP, Dr. Marlene Orozco, the LIFT program lead, and Pauline E. Anton, President and CEO of TAMACC, all emphasizing the critical role small businesses play in driving economic prosperity.

The results from this first cohort are nothing short of remarkable, demonstrating significant gains in marketing proficiency among participants. After completing LIFT, 98% of business owners reported actively setting social media goals, representing a staggering 52 percentage point increase. Confidence in using social media for business growth surged by 45 percentage points, while the share of participants rating their social media knowledge as "good" or "expert" skyrocketed from just 5% to 97%—a 92 percentage point improvement. These statistics underscore the program's effectiveness in addressing real-world challenges faced by small enterprises. Participants like Rebecca Acosta-Ojeda, owner of Salon One 12 in Buda, Texas, praised the program for helping them understand that "your brand is more than a logo. It's what customers feel," highlighting the transformative impact on business perspectives.

Beyond traditional training, LIFT incorporated innovative elements including access to an AI Business Coach, providing personalized guidance tailored to each participant's specific business challenges and growth objectives. The program's reach extended across Texas, with 82% of participants based in the state, while also drawing business owners from 24 additional states, demonstrating its broad appeal and relevance. Looking ahead, SCALEUP and its partners are planning future opportunities to expand this successful model. For those interested in learning more or staying updated on upcoming programs, visit the official SCALEUP website at https://scaleup.txst.edu/, where you can find comprehensive information about this initiative and its ongoing efforts to support small business growth through evidence-based programming and university partnerships.

Source Statement

This curated news summary relied on content disributed by Noticias Newswire. Read the original source here, Texas State's LIFT Program Boosts Small Business Marketing Confidence by 92%

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