About the Small Business Leadership Academy
Small businesses are the heart of Las Vegas–boosting the economy, creating jobs, and positively impacting the community. The Small Business Leadership Academy (SBLA) empowers participants to anticipate and overcome the business challenges of today and tomorrow, and the academy is tailored to the unique needs of small businesses.
The SBLA is a Lee Business School partnership with Cox Communications and Southwest Gas.
Apply for the SBLA Program
The SBLA program is an eight-week commitment and kicks off with a mandatory Orientation on August 27, 2025. Sessions will begin on Sept. 3, 2025 and will run through Oct. 22, 2025. Sessions are held from 5–9 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.
Participation Requirements
- Completion of Level 1 course
- Business must have been in operation at least 3 years (cannot be an entry-level or start-up business)
- Business must have annual revenues of at least $250K, fewer than 500 employees, and cannot be a sole proprietorship
- Business principals must be willing to attend classes/seminars in person
- Scholarship recipients must sign a letter of agreement on commitment to the program
Tuition
Tuition will be covered for those businesses chosen to participate in the program. The program is valued at $2,000/individual.
Orientation
The program will begin with an orientation to introduce participants to faculty and fellow students, to lay out program sequence and goals for participants, and to distribute materials and assignments for the first session. Each session will feature high-impact takeaways that can be readily accomplished in the short term in addition to laying out longer-term pathways to value and growth for participants’ firms. SBLA participants will receive three Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
