Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Detroit program celebrates 1,000th graduates

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Detroit program has graduated its 1,000th business owner since launching at Wayne State University in 2014.
Benito Wong, founder and owner of Empanada My Love in Oxford, Michigan, was recognized as the program’s 1,000th graduate. Founded in 2022, Empanada My Love is a family-owned café and empanada shop specializing in handcrafted empanadas inspired by Latin flavors and local ingredients. Its mission is to share comfort food that connects people, one empanada at a time.
“Being the 1,000th graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program feels like a celebration of perseverance,” Wong said in a written statement. “This opportunity helped me transform challenges into tremendous opportunities by giving me the confidence and clarity to grow Empanada My Love into something that truly reflects who we are and how far we can go.”
Wong said the milestone represents not only an accomplishment for the program, but also the spirit of entrepreneurship growing throughout Michigan. During the program, he watched his fellow cohort members give their best, believe in what they had created and go the extra mile to improve and grow their businesses.
Before joining the program, Wong was not fully certain which direction his business should take. Through 12 weeks of classroom instruction, individualized business advising, mentoring and support from his fellow entrepreneurs, he gained greater clarity about the company’s future.
“The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at Wayne State gave me the tools to think strategically,” Wong said. “Throughout the program, I redefined our operations, reconnected with our mission and built a clear plan for sustainable growth. I learned to see our restaurant not just as a kitchen, but as a brand with meaning, potential and a bigger future.”
Wong plans to expand Empanada My Love’s wholesale partnerships with coffee shops and bars across Michigan. The business also plans to develop new empanada flavors and explore community collaborations that celebrate local food culture and bring people together.
“This milestone represents 1,000 entrepreneurs who made the commitment to step away from the daily demands of running their companies and focus on long-term growth,” said Destiny Williams, Outreach Manager for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Detroit. “We are proud to recognize Benito Wong of Empanada My Love as our 1,000th graduate and welcome him into a strong community of program alumni.”
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses helps entrepreneurs grow their companies through practical business education, individualized advising, access to capital and a national network of peers and alumni—all at no cost to participants.
The Detroit program is designed for established small business owners who are ready to grow and scale their companies. Its curriculum combines classroom instruction, peer learning and real-world application. Participants strengthen critical areas of their businesses, including negotiation, marketing, financial management, operations and employee development, while creating customized plans for sustainable growth.
Nationally, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses has served more than 18,000 entrepreneurs across all 50 states. Within six months of completing the program, 66% of alumni report increasing revenue and 44% report creating new jobs. Additional findings are available in the program’s 2025 15-Year Impact Report.
By investing in small businesses and their owners, the program supports job creation, community stability and long-term economic mobility throughout Detroit, Southeast Michigan and beyond.
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Detroit program is currently accepting applications for its Winter 2027 cohort, which begins in January 2027. Established small business owners interested in participating are encouraged to apply by Oct. 1, 2026.
Eligible business owners can learn more and apply through the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Detroit website.