BUILDING BUSINESSES THAT GROW WITH YOU

With a Dedicated Advisor and a Clear Plan for Growth

The Empower program is an 18-month deep partnership with MESO advisors. It follows a three-stage methodology built around deepening your understanding of branding, budgeting, and business planning, so you can step into leading your business with confidence.



IS EMPOWER RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS?

Your business has been up and running for at least six months, and you're making revenue. The foundation is laid, and now you're looking for an ongoing, collaborative partnership with an expert in business development.

That’s where Empower comes in.

Key benefits to you:

• One-on-one business advising, every other week
• A structured curriculum that encourages deeper thinking and ongoing learning
• Relevant workshops, plus free access to MESO classes
• Exclusive access to our IDA (Individual Development Account) matched-savings program
• First pick for MESO events and grant opportunities
• Quarterly planning skills and realistic, achievable goal setting

You could be a good fit for the

Empower program if:

• Your business has been operating for at least six months
• You are making revenue
• You're ready for the next level of success
• Your business is located in the City of Portland or the City of Beaverton, and your income is under 80% of Portland's Median Family Income

WITH EMPOWER, YOUR NEXT LEVEL STARTS HERE...

Applications are open year round with rolling enrollment.

1. Submit your enrollment form. Tell us about you and your business.
2. Join a live intake session. Our team will get to know you and place you in the program that fits your business stage.
3. Start with Engage. In this free, 12-week program, you'll work one-on-one with a business advisor to take stock of your business and see whether Empower is the right fit.
4. Enroll in Empower. If it's a good fit, you'll pay the $250 program fee and begin your 18-month partnership with your advisor.



Questions about enrolling? Email mesointake@mesopdx.org.

MEET YOUR ELEVATE PROGRAM MANAGER

RÉLAND LOGAN

Réland Logan is a MESO Business Advisor who specializes in brand creation. Growing up multi-racial in a world where you had to check only one box, Reland uses her experience to help shape narratives that reach groups that are considered marginalized.

She values customizing the unique needs of her clients' businesses while developing trusted friends that nurture trust to help them scale.

As an entrepreneur herself, Réland understands the complex and multi-level problems that entrepreneurs experience and meets each client where they need to find a balance between their lives and business.

Outside of MESO, you can find her at all of her son's sporting events, volunteering at the elementary school or participating in her own version of Car Karaoke.

OUR CLIENTS SAY...

What I wanted most out of Elevate was structure and clarity. As a salon owner, I had been running my business based on experience and instinct, but I wanted stronger systems around my finances, marketing, and long-term planning so I could grow with intention instead of just surviving month to month.

The most valuable thing I took from Elevate was learning how to look at my business through data instead of emotion. I became more consistent with tracking revenue, expenses, and client behavior, which helped me make better decisions. For example, I gained a clearer understanding of my monthly overhead and how many clients I need to serve to stay profitable. That shift alone helped me approach pricing, budgeting, and scheduling more strategically.

Elevate also helped me refine my vision. I now have clearer short-term and long-term goals for my salon, including stabilizing operations, increasing visibility, and creating additional income streams beyond services. The program helped me move from just working in my business to thinking like an owner who is building something sustainable.

When I joined Elevate, I wasn’t lacking ideas or the ability to generate revenue. I knew how to go out and get business. What I needed was structure. My systems, financial accountability, intentional growth planning, and consistent lead generation were shaky at best. I wanted support in building a stronger foundation so the business I was working so hard to grow could actually sustain that success.

Elevate helped me become a much more confident and disciplined business owner. The biggest value was the structure and accountability. Learning how to operate better systems, track my finances intentionally, and grow the business strategically instead of just reacting to opportunities as they come.

Just as important, it meant a lot to me to be poured into by another Black woman who encouraged me to show up fully as my authentic self. I felt seen, heard, and genuinely supported, not with lip service, but with real time, attention, and measurable results. Over the course of the year, my business revenue grew from 30% in 2025. That growth reflected the systems, accountability, and confidence I gained through Elevate (your support, Reland;)

FAQ'S