Business Outreach Intern

About the Program

The Inclusive Business Navigators Program is a partnership between the City of Long Beach and Braven Agency designed to support equitable economic recovery for small businesses and nonprofits. The program focuses on businesses owned and nonprofits led by Black, Latinx, Cambodian, and/or Asian/Pacific Islander individuals, as well as those located in low-and-moderate-income areas. Through outreach, education, and free technical assistance, we help small business owners and nonprofit leaders grow and access available federal, state, county, and local financial resources.

Role Overview

We're looking for a motivated, people-first intern to lead direct outreach efforts to small businesses and nonprofits across Long Beach. This is a hands-on role perfect for someone exploring a future in sales, business development, or community engagement. You'll spend your time in the field and on the phone, building relationships with business owners, sharing what the program offers, and connecting them to resources that help them grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct in-person canvassing of small businesses in target neighborhoods across Long Beach
• Make cold calls and send outreach emails to business owners and nonprofit leaders
• Reach a target of 30+ businesses per month through direct outreach
• Clearly explain program services and benefits to potential participants
• Track outreach activity, contacts made, and outcomes in shared trackers
• Schedule intake meetings between interested businesses and Braven Agency staff
• Represent the program professionally at community events and pop-ups

Who You Are

• Go-getter mindset: You're proactive, self-motivated, and don't wait to be told what to do
• Comfortable with cold outreach: Cold calls, door knocks, and intro emails don't intimidate you
• Strong communicator: You can explain things clearly and listen well
• Resilient: You handle rejection well and keep moving forward
• Interested in sales or business development: You see this as a stepping stone into a sales, account management, or business development career
• Community-minded: You care about supporting Long Beach's small business community

Nice to Have

• Bilingual (Spanish, Khmer, Tagalog, or other languages spoken in Long Beach)
• Familiarity with Long Beach neighborhoods and business districts
• Previous experience in retail, customer service, fundraising, or campaign canvassing
• Reliable transportation for canvassing

What You'll Gain

• Real-world sales and outreach experience you can put on your resume
• A portfolio of outreach metrics and impact stories
• Direct mentorship from Braven Agency staff and exposure to City of Long Beach partners
• A network of small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and city officials

Position Details

• Hours: 10–20 hours per week
• Schedule: Hybrid — 2 days in office, 3 days remote
• Reports to: Braven Agency Program Lead
• Partner: City of Long Beach

How to Apply

Submit your resume and a brief cover letter (or short paragraph) telling us why you're interested in this role and what you hope to gain from the experience. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The Inclusive Business Navigators Program and Braven Agency are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.