Small businesses drive local economies, but access to funding remains one of the most persistent barriers to growth. Programs like the American Express Shop Small Grants Program are working to change that by putting untied cash directly in the hands of entrepreneurs. The program’s goal is to help small businesses grow and watch that investment spread through the communities around them.
On this episode of Business Trends Today, we’re joined by Madge Thomas, President of the American Express Foundation and Head of Corporate Sustainability at American Express, and Jessica Wallace, Founder of The 3D Lab, a New Jersey-based creative studio helping kids and teens explore STEAM learning through hands-on 3D printing, design, and innovation. Wallace’s studio is one of the small businesses that received a Shop Small Grant from American Express and has since grown into a hub for young creators in her community.
Investing in business & the community
American Express has supported small businesses for more than 16 years, starting with Small Business Saturday and expanding into the Shop Small Grants Program. According to Thomas, small businesses don’t just generate revenue; they strengthen the fabric of the communities around them.
"Small businesses are the heartbeat of communities, and it's at the heart of what we at American Express have always supported." - Madge Thomas
According to the company’s 2025 Small Business Economic Impact Study, 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community. Despite a challenging funding environment, Thomas says small business owners are showing up with resilience and optimism.Â
“What we continue to hear from small business owners is this strong sense, despite the environment, of the optimism that they’re seeing, their resilience, their commitment to stay in and enrich the communities around them,” said Thomas.
The grants are untied, giving owners full control over how the money is spent. That flexibility, Thomas says, lets each business determine where support will have the greatest impact during key growth moments.
The Christmas gift that sparked a business
Wallace wasn’t looking to start a business. She was just looking for a Christmas present for her son, Victor. She got him a 3D printer, and they were both immediately hooked. Victor, now 13, serves as her business partner and creative consultant.
“This was just born from love of Victor and creativity and wanting to bring this to other kids in our community,” said Wallace.
Within two weeks of the idea taking shape, she was looking for a lease. The 3D Lab opened less than two months later. The studio quickly became a gathering place for young creators in her neighborhood.
Shop Small Grant expands accessÂ
Wallace is a dedicated owner who personally attends every event and class at the 3D Lab. While this approach helped keep staffing costs low, it also limited growth, leading to a backlog of kids waiting up to a year.
That’s where the Shop Small Grant came in. Wallace used the funding to add new printers to her back counter, which unlocked a second class each day without adding staff.
Additionally, Thomas states that the program is designed to create that kind of direct, measurable impact.
“We love that we’re part of Jessica and Victor’s journey now and hopefully the whole community’s journey,” said Thomas.
Community impact
Thomas says The 3D Lab is an example of what happens when a small business investment reaches beyond the business itself. Wallace and Victor didn’t just build a studio, they built an innovation hub for their community.
"Every business starts with an idea and the investment in it just helps that idea ripple further and further out into the community." - Madge Thomas
Moreover, American Express is also expanding its support for small businesses, including a recently announced AI skills training program tailored specifically for small business owners.
Plans to expand
For Wallace, she has bigger plans. She wants to franchise The 3D Lab and says the motivation is mission-driven.
“We definitely do want to franchise… We want to bring this to children in communities all over the country. Because when I researched my idea, I found nothing like us,” said Wallace.
She also runs a program called Kidpreneurs, which teaches children the basics of entrepreneurship and gives them real selling experience at live sales events. Wallace says it has become one of the studio’s most well-received offerings. She sees it as a pipeline for the next generation of small business owners, whether they end up in 3D printing or something else entirely.
ASBN, from startup to success, we are your go-to resource for small business news, expert advice, information, and event coverage.
