2024 Year in Review – Highlights

I am proud to announce 2025 as our "Contingency and Resiliency Year" — a time to embrace adaptability, innovation, and collective problem-solving. This theme reflects our unwavering commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and business owners to thrive, no matter the challenges.

Despite the adversities of 2024, including global crises that impacted communities worldwide, we remained steadfast in our mission to create opportunities and foster resilience. Over the last year, we launched and participated in several key initiatives that shaped our impact:

  • Entrepreneurship Business Center Bootcamps: Partnered with organizations in Egypt and Jordan to help launch business centers, empowering communities to support startups and drive sustainable growth.

  • Mastermind Coaching Groups: A renewed initiative promoting collaboration, accountability, and growth, offering multiple tracks for entrepreneurs, SME owners, and supporting organizations.

  • Capital & Finance Readiness Services: A comprehensive new initiative providing SMEs with technical assistance, tools, and expertise needed to secure funding and drive sustainable growth.

  • Youth Entrepreneurship Programs: We’ve inspired and empowered youth through STEAMpreneurship and virtual Global Trade Mission programs to foster creativity and innovation, cultivating the next generation of changemakers and global thinkers.

  • FastTrac Programs: Partnered with organizations to graduate new ventures and empower startups through comprehensive business plans and financial tools.

  • Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia: Represented U.S. innovation among 26 companies, building global partnerships and expanding in the Kingdom as part of regional and international growth goals.

These samples of our accomplishments are a testament to our team's dedication, our partners' trust, and the resilience of the entrepreneurs we serve. For the full 2024 Year in Review Report, read below.

As we begin 2025, let’s continue turning challenges into opportunities, driving innovation, and creating a legacy of lasting impact.

With gratitude,
Faris Alami
Founder and CEO
International Strategic Management

Year in Review: 2024 – ISM's Impact and Achievements

The Resilient Entrepreneur Program© — We continued to deliver impactful webinars and workshops, equipping leaders with strategies to sustain and grow their businesses during times of crisis. This highly sought-after program engaged hundreds of participants worldwide. The program fostered sustainable business growth across diverse regions by empowering participants with actionable resilience strategies. With global challenges persisting, we are geared to deliver even more editions in 2025. We now offer a licensing model for professors/ universities to offer this program as a three-hour credit.

Capacity Building Tour Program© — We hosted several tours for entrepreneurs, combining training and exploration of the local business ecosystem. In addition, we provided participants with hands-on opportunities to engage with thriving entrepreneurial communities via B2B matches and connections within the ecosystem, including investors and potential collaborators. This impactful initiative empowered over 100 entrepreneurs to explore, learn, and grow their businesses.

Business Coaching & Mentoring© — We delivered services tailored to SMEs and entrepreneurs; some of our partners include: 1) the University of Windsor (Canada), where we launched mentorship cohorts focused on supporting women entrepreneurs, providing personalized business coaching to help them scale their businesses and achieve sustainable growth. 2) Detroit Means Business (Detroit, MI, US), where we delivered customized technical assistance services, including coaching services to empower local businesses with practical tools to navigate funding, operations, and business expansion effectively.

We have re-launched our Mastermind Coaching Groups and ISM Circles to empower professionals, SME owners, and entrepreneurs. Guided by seasoned coaches, these groups cultivate meaningful connections, foster accountability, and drive personal and business growth. With several tracks designed to address the unique needs of the communities we serve, they offer a comprehensive, structured curriculum and agendas that provide a dynamic environment for exchanging insights, overcoming challenges, and achieving lasting, transformative success.

Capital & Finance Readiness Services© — In response to market needs and to address critical gaps in SME access to funding, we launched our exclusive Capital & Finance Readiness Services. Since its launch, the program has equipped  SMEs with tools, technical assistance, and resources to achieve capital readiness and drive sustainable business growth.

Exploring Entrepreneurship Program© — We continued to engage underrepresented communities – immigrants and minorities – in a structured program broken into workshops to plan and test their entrepreneurial ideas. The program was delivered in Detroit, MI, and the Upper Peninsula, MI, engaging participants in hands-on learning experiences to turn ideas into actionable business plans utilizing ISM online communities and AI business planning tools.

The Power of 7 in Marketing© — is a transformative, self-paced program that equips entrepreneurs with effective relationship marketing strategies, scalable techniques, and client retention methods. Participants gain access to a comprehensive digital course, an interactive workbook, and an exclusive monthly membership — all focused on delivering actionable insights for business growth and long-term success. Additionally, we now offer a 7-week challenge with a live facilitator, ensuring personalized guidance and support as you implement your marketing plan.

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) — Demonstrating our unwavering commitment to the local community, we have proudly hosted various events/ programs for five consecutive years. These sessions have centered on key topics such as funding, cybersecurity, marketing, and business growth, providing invaluable support and resources to startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Special messages from the Governor’s office and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) CEO have highlighted key initiatives to attract businesses to Michigan, further solidifying the state’s position as a central player in global entrepreneurship and SME development and strengthening its role in the global economy. Sponsorship opportunities are always available for this amazing initiative, helping us continue our mission to support and uplift the entrepreneurial community.

Faris Alami Blog — The Blog continues to deliver valuable insights and strategies for entrepreneurs, as well as the ESO and EDO enablers who support them. Addressing real-world challenges and opportunities, these impactful articles provide actionable advice to help entrepreneurs, along with the organizations that empower them, to grow, innovate, and thrive. Selected articles include “From Bootstrapping to Capital Readiness,” as well as program designs and delivery.

Finjan Show — ISM’s Finjan Show continued to inspire audiences worldwide with thought-provoking discussions and actionable insights for entrepreneurs. These engaging sessions deliver valuable strategies and real-world experiences, empowering entrepreneurs across the globe. Highlighted episodes include “Resilient Leaders: Navigating Crisis and Growth” and “Empowering Entrepreneurs Globally.” Together, they bust myths and offer practical guidance to help entrepreneurs start right where they are.

Sample of Programs  Delivered and Countries Served in 2024 (virtual, in-person, and hybrid)

Resilient Entrepreneur Program:  USA, Canada, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.

  • Capacity Building Tour Program: Egypt and Jordan.

  • Business Coaching & Mentoring: USA, Canada, Egypt, and Jordan.

  • Capital & Finance Readiness Program: USA.

  • Exploring Entrepreneurship Program: USA.

  • The Power of 7 in Marketing: USA, Canada, and Egypt.

  • FastTrac Program: USA.

  • We hosted over 1,071 Meetings in 2024 via Zoom alone! There were over  174,696 Meeting Minutes (2,911.6 hours About 121.32 Days) and 4,378 Participants from these countries: United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Germany, Palestine, Kuwait, France, Portugal, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, India, Qatar, Pakistan, Netherlands, Nepal, Morocco, Thailand, Spain, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Vietnam, and Singapore. We used in Zoom alone over 893.13 GB of Recording Storage

 

Selected topics for ISM CEO & Founder 2024 keynote participation

Engaging Youth in Global Resilience Through STEAM, Center of Hope Family Services —  Inspiring youth participation in STEAM initiatives — Toledo, Ohio, US

  • Same But Different: How to Support Entrepreneurs Where They Are, West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem — Bridging Innovation Week 2024 — Huntington, West Virginia

  • How to Establish a  Mentor in  International Development, Society for International Development-US — Professional Development Hub. Virtual — Washington, D.C.

  • Modern Leadership in a Digital World, Advancing Youth Voice — Building Young Leaders in a Digital World. Virtual — Lagos, Nigeria

  • Resilient Leadership, USASBE 2024 Conference — Sharing Faris Alami's story and the Resilient Canvas — Birmingham, Alabama, US

  • Start Where You Are, Sharing Faris Alami's story and the Resilient Canvas, Sterling Heights, Michigan.

 

Year 2024 in Numbers

  • Total Number of Programs Delivered: 40+

  • Total Number of Events (Programs + Keynotes): 65+
    (Including all programs, workshops, and keynote engagements)

  • Participants Reached: 5,000+

  • Total Number of Zoom sessions held: 1000+

  • Total Number of Zoom hours: 2911+

  • Female/Male Participants Ratio: 60% Female / 40% Male

  • Countries reached: 25 as we continue to grow beyond 100+ countries

  • Growth in the Number of Participants: 25% (based on increased reach and engagement compared to 2023)

  • Diversity of Participants: 40% Business / 35% Nonprofit / 25% Government

  • Social Media Reach: 100,000+

  • Total Number of Coaching Hours Delivered: 500+ hours

    With 500 coaching sessions delivered throughout the year

Stay Connected

Explore Our Monthly Newsletters

Catch up on ISM's latest activities, events, and program updates by accessing our 2024 newsletter editions:

View Newsletters Here. Stay updated and sign up for our newsletter Here

Faris Alami's Books

Discover Faris Alami's insightful books and workbooks to support your entrepreneurial journey:

The Power of 7 in Marketing: and its Workbook Purchase Here

Start Where You Are: and the Resilient Workbook Purchase Here

Access ISM Services Online

Invest in your growth with our self-paced programs and exclusive memberships:

  • Resilient Entrepreneur Canvas — A strategic framework designed to empower entrepreneurs to build adaptable and sustainable business models in the face of challenges (available in English, Arabic, and Russian): Download  Here

  • Explore More Resilient Entrepreneur Products & Resources Here

  • Explore Our Online Academy and purchase any of our selected courses. The 2024 best-selling courses include Business Mindset, The Art of Networking, and the Power of 7 in Marketing — and 15 modules that walk you through the book, the workbook, and the process of creating the strategies and tactics to implement the Power of 7 insights.

  • Unlock your potential with goal settings and download our free workbook

  • Grow your business like never before; subscribe to our membership here and receive a monthly workbook strategy with action steps to implement based on the ISM curriculum and themes.

  • Organizations that support entrepreneurs and small business owners interested in partnering with ISM to deploy a program apply here.

  • Entrepreneurs and small business owners interested in applying to work with ISM or any of our partners should apply here.

Stay tuned for the official launch of our online service catalog, which will provide a seamless experience to support your growth journey.

Thank You to our partners, participants, and stakeholders for an incredible year! Together, we continue to empower businesses, foster innovation, and build resilient communities globally.