Running a small business in the U.S. comes with no shortage of challenges. For many entrepreneurs—particularly immigrants—adapting to an unfamiliar market, building a customer base, and developing a strong communication strategy can feel like an uphill battle. Iulia Erhan saw this struggle from multiple angles throughout her career and decided to make it the focus of her entrepreneurial journey. With a strong educational foundation and diverse hands-on experience across various industries, she launched her consulting firm with one goal: to help small businesses find their footing and grow by focusing on effective communication, business development, and strategy.
Erhan’s professional experience spans property management, law, hospitality, and the nonprofit sector. Having worked with companies in these fields gave her a unique perspective on how businesses—big and small—communicate, build brands, and navigate operational challenges. Her time at a property management firm helped her understand the importance of streamlined processes; working at a hospitality group exposed her to the customer service nuances needed for brand loyalty. At the art nonprofit, she saw how effective communication could fuel an organization’s mission, and her legal experience allowed her to witness firsthand the regulatory and operational struggles immigrant entrepreneurs face. This diverse background informed Erhan’s approach to business strategy, making her keenly aware of how different sectors face their own, yet often overlapping, challenges.
Complementing this practical experience is Erhan’s robust educational background. With a Master’s degree in Corporate Communications, along with earlier degrees in finance and accounting, Erhan developed a deep understanding of the financial and strategic complexities that businesses must navigate. Her academic research focused on how communication strategies play a critical role in major corporate transitions like mergers and privatizations. These insights didn’t remain theoretical—industry professionals used her findings to manage investor relations, stabilize stock prices, and navigate high-stakes corporate transitions. Through this blend of education and experience, Erhan began to develop her own business model centered around offering small businesses the kind of high-level strategic advice typically reserved for large corporations.
It was while working across these various sectors that Erhan noticed a recurring issue: small businesses, particularly those owned by immigrants, were struggling to grow because they lacked both knowledge of the U.S. market and access to critical business networks. Despite having the drive, experience, and sometimes even the necessary capital, many small business owners found themselves unable to move forward because they lacked the strategic insights required to compete. Erhan saw firsthand how small businesses, especially those in new markets, needed more than financial resources—they needed guidance on how to communicate effectively, position their brand, and build sustainable growth.
This realization led to the birth of Erhan’s consulting firm, Prospect Planners LLC. Her services are tailored specifically to the needs of small businesses, with a strong emphasis on communications strategy, business development, and market research. Whether it’s helping a company refine its brand positioning, craft a targeted communications plan, or write a business plan that aligns with long-term goals, Erhan’s firm provides the expertise needed to help small businesses grow. She focuses on equipping business owners with the tools to develop strong messaging, enhance their market presence, and build strategies that are sustainable in the long run.
What sets Erhan apart is her commitment to providing high-quality consulting services to small businesses at an accessible price point. She believes that even the smallest enterprises deserve access to the same level of expertise that large corporations rely on. By integrating advanced technology, particularly AI-driven tools, into her services, Erhan ensures that her clients can automate routine tasks like market research and customer engagement, freeing them up to focus on growing their business. For Erhan, technology is an enabler that levels the playing field, allowing small businesses to compete more effectively in today’s fast-paced market.
Photo Courtesy: Iulia Erhan / Vi Pshnchk
Erhan’s experience working with immigrant business owners also gives her a unique perspective. She understands the specific hurdles these entrepreneurs face, from adjusting to a new market to building a business network in unfamiliar territory. Her personal and professional connections with immigrant business owners drive her commitment to helping them succeed. Erhan’s goal is to give these entrepreneurs the strategic tools and market insights they need to turn their vision into reality. Whether it’s crafting an effective marketing campaign, refining a business plan, or identifying the right audience, Erhan is dedicated to guiding her clients through every stage of business growth.
Though based in New York City, Erhan’s ambitions extend far beyond the local market. She envisions expanding her firm’s services nationwide, empowering small businesses across the country with the resources and strategies they need to thrive. For Erhan, it’s not just about helping individual businesses succeed—it’s about creating a movement of empowered entrepreneurs who can compete with confidence in a crowded marketplace. She’s already thinking about how to scale her business and ensure that small businesses across the U.S. have access to customized solutions and ongoing support.
For Erhan, the success of her clients is deeply personal. She is committed to ensuring that small business owners—particularly those from immigrant backgrounds—have every opportunity to succeed despite the challenges they face. Her vision for the future is simple: to build a network of thriving small businesses that contribute to a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive U.S. economy.
Published By: Aize Perez
