4 key takeaways from UPS’s 2025 Impact Summit

The 2025 UPS Impact Summit showcased how we’re teaming up with community leaders to support entrepreneurs in Atlanta and beyond. This year, over 3,500 in-person and virtual attendees joined the conversation – featuring big names like American Express, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Metro Atlanta Chamber and other industry leaders – to champion small businesses.

This year’s discussion was all about celebrating entrepreneurs and exploring how small businesses fuel communities near and far. Here are the highlights:

Takeaway #1: Small businesses are at the center of UPS’s mission to deliver what matters.

CEO Carol B. Tomé kicked things off with a reminder that UPS’s purpose goes beyond logistics. With 490,000 UPSers worldwide, she emphasized our role in helping entrepreneurs grow through solutions, partnerships and resources.

“UPS was founded in 1907 by 18-year-old Jim Casey, who started delivering packages on bicycles with a $100 loan. Today, we deliver millions of packages every day,” Carol said. “Small businesses have the opportunity to turn into really large businesses. And as we grow, we can give back to our communities. So, it's a symbiotic relationship.”

Takeaway #2: Access to capital is the gateway to growth – and creative partnerships can open new doors.

UPS U.S. Marketing President Kate Mandrell sat down with Colleen Taylor from American Express, Luz Urrutia from Accion Opportunity Fund, David Ensley from Kanopy Logistics and Terri Denison from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Their focus: how to unlock funding, cut costs and scale sustainably.

During the discussion, UPS and American Express announced a new collaboration at the intersection of logistics and payments. The two iconic brands will deliver exclusive shipping savings for small and medium-sized businesses through American Express’ Business Savings Suite – just in time for the holiday season.

“For small businesses, cash is king. Leveraging tools like the American Express card to manage payments and shipping allows entrepreneurs to extend cash flow, focus on core operations and invest strategically in growth,” Colleen said. “A business that knows its numbers is a business that can grow.”

Takeaway #3: Small businesses grow when they have access to the right resources.

The UPS Foundation President Nikki Clifton led a conversation with Molly Holm from Glory Haus, Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon from The Village Market, Jim Katsafanas from UPS and Katie Kirkpatrick from Metro Atlanta Chamber. They talked about the outsized role small businesses play in the economy and why cross-sector collaboration is so important.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Roughly 95% of all U.S. jobs come from companies with fewer than 100 employees, and 97% of all U.S. businesses fall into that category,” Katie said. “When we think about economic growth and innovation, it starts here – with entrepreneurs who have the courage to take risks, build jobs and create wealth right in their own communities.”

Takeaway #4: Mentorship is a catalyst for success and a powerful growth driver.

UPS Global Reputation Management President Malcolm Berkley hosted entrepreneurs Sydney Attis and Mikayla Garcia from Just Call Me Shirley, Betsy Wilson from UPS and Sarah Casalan from The UPS Store. Together, they shared how mentorship gives entrepreneurs confidence and networks that change the game.

“We created opportunities like virtual consultations with our UPS experts. These are 15–20-minute conversations where entrepreneurs can get advice on supply chains, customer experience or operational efficiency,” Betsy said. “We want to make mentorship accessible to as many people as possible, so that more businesses can unlock their potential, grow and thrive."

The 2025 UPS Impact Summit showed small businesses aren’t just part of the economy – they’re shaping communities, driving innovation and inspiring growth. From mentorship to funding to collaboration, the day’s insights highlighted how UPS and our partners are helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into real-world impact.

Did you know?

• UPS enables small business success through innovative customer solutions, impactful public-private partnerships and dedicated resources that maximize their growth and reach.
• UPS and The UPS Store offer mentorship opportunities that give entrepreneurs access to personalized coaching to accelerate their personal and professional development, drive business growth and boost their community impact.