Hayes Smart Start tops 100 graduates in first year

Hayes & Associates marked the first anniversary of its Smart Start financial literacy program with nearly 100 graduates and a new cohort set to begin Sept. 21 in Omaha. The firm says the course is helping small business owners better understand finances, lower fear around financial reports and make stronger growth decisions.

Why it matters: - Hayes Smart Start is aimed at small business owners and entrepreneurs who need practical help understanding finances, pricing, cash flow and growth planning. - The program is free to participants because tuition is waived through Nebraska Department of Economic Development funding. - Hayes & Associates is positioning the course as part of a broader push to strengthen Omaha’s business community through financial education.

What happened: - Hayes & Associates celebrated the latest Hayes Smart Start graduates on Wednesday in Omaha, one year after the first pilot cohort launched in July 2025. - About 25 small business owners and entrepreneurs were recognized at the event. - The first year of the program brought the total number of graduates to nearly 100. - City of Omaha Mayor John Ewing, Jr. and Hayes & Associates leaders spoke at the graduation celebration. - The next Smart Start cohort begins Sept. 21. - More information is available at Hayes.cpa.

The details: - Hayes Smart Start is a 10-week online course built to help participants better understand financial and business topics. - The course includes an orientation session, several in-person office hour sessions and weekly online modules. - Participants receive a certificate upon completion. - The program is designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners and self-employed workers, including people earning income through hairstyling, ride-sharing, cleaning services, home-based businesses and freelancing. - Course topics include separating personal and business finances, budgeting, cash flow, reading financial reports, pricing for profit, debt management, legal business structures, CPA partnerships, branding, marketing, business growth planning and preparing for loans and grants. - Hayes & Associates values the course at $1,000 per person. - Funding comes from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s North and South Omaha Recovery Grant Program. - The state grant program is intended to support post-pandemic economic recovery and growth in historically underserved communities. - Hayes & Associates says the program is now continuing through its nonprofit entity, Hayes Cares, and the firm is seeking donor and sponsor support to keep it growing. - Frank Hayes said participants have followed up to share changes they made after completing the course. - Davida Adams Stewart said graduates are feeling less fear about financial reports and are better prepared to grow their businesses. - Hayes & Associates received the 2026 Greater Omaha Chamber Business Excellence Award for Civic Engagement in June, in part for Smart Start and the firm’s community-focused work.

Between the lines: - The program is aimed at a broad group of earners who operate outside traditional salaried jobs, which suggests Hayes is targeting a segment often underserved by standard business education. - The combination of free tuition, hands-on support and local civic recognition gives Smart Start both a community-service angle and a business-development role. - Mayor Ewing’s remarks about hard work, learning and community-wide ripple effects reflect the program’s emphasis on business success as a local economic driver.

What’s next: - Hayes & Associates plans to keep Smart Start running through Hayes Cares. - The firm is actively seeking donor and sponsor backing to support future cohorts. - The September class will be the next test of whether the first year’s momentum continues into year two.

The bottom line: - Hayes Smart Start has moved from pilot to proven community program, with nearly 100 graduates in its first year and more growth planned for fall.