reimaginemainstreet

Inc. Magazine: Most Small Businesses Are Still Just Testing AI. They Could Be Leaving Gains on the Table

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 14:48:22 GMT

Inc. Magazine: Most Small Businesses Are Still Just Testing AI. They Could Be Leaving Gains on the Table

A new study finds 51 percent of modest-sized companies are still tentative about using AI to automate work tasks.

While many large corporations have energetically pursued increased use of artificial intelligence (AI), data indicates small businesses have been slower and more tentative in adopting the tech. But a recent study of how modest-sized companies have introduced AI offers some insights on how still-hesitant owners can test and integrate those apps most effectively into their workplaces.

The broad findings in the research by the Public Private Strategies Institute’s Reimagine Main Street project largely jibes with earlier polls on AI use by small businesses. Among the study’s roughly 1,000 participating companies with annual revenues of between $25,000 and $5 million, just over half described themselves as still testing and exploring the tech. About a quarter of responding owners considered their businesses current users of AI apps, and 24 percent said they neither have nor plan to introduce the tech any time soon. That roughly corresponds with results of previous surveys on the topic.

Read the full story at Inc. Magazine.

CNBC: Small business AI use is lagging, but one firm is channeling Sherlock Holmes and knocking out 'grunt work'

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 17:32:57 GMT

CNBC: Small business AI use is lagging, but one firm is channeling Sherlock Holmes and knocking out 'grunt work'

Chris Schwegmann is getting creative with how artificial intelligence is being used in law.

"We still have the need for the independent legal judgment of our associate lawyers and our partners — it hasn't replaced them, it just augments their thinking," Schwegmann said. "It makes them more creative and frees their time to do what lawyers do best, which is strategic thought and creative problem solving."

The NFIB data echoes a recent survey from Reimagine Main Street, a project of Public Private Strategies Institute in partnership with PayPal. Reimagine surveyed nearly 1,000 small businesses with annual revenue between $25,000 and $50,000 and also found that a quarter had already started integrating AI into daily workflows.

Read the full story at CNBC .

PayPal Newsroom: Small Businesses Are Ready for AI That Acts, Not Just Assists, New Report Finds

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:48:38 GMT

Jun 18, 2025

PayPal Newsroom: Small Businesses Are Ready for AI That Acts, Not Just Assists, New Report Finds

A new national survey of small business owners reveals that the era of artificial intelligence is no longer a far-off concept.

According to a new survey by Reimagine Main Street , a project of the Public Private Strategies Institute, in partnership with PayPal 76% of small businesses are either actively using or exploring AI tools, signaling a sector on the brink of a technological transformation.

The report, which surveyed nearly 1,000 small business owners and included 20 in-depth interviews, shows that AI adoption is happening now, driven by a desire for efficiency and a mounting pressure to stay competitive. But while many have dipped their toes into generative AI, the findings reveal a deeper desire for a new class of intelligent tools.

Read the full story at PayPal Newsroom .

Merca 2.0: How are small businesses using generative AI?

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:28:42 GMT

June 11, 2025

Merca 2.0: How are small businesses using generative AI?

A recent study reveals that Artificial Intelligence has become a practical tool in the daily life of small businesses

Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) is no longer a futuristic concept bordering on science fiction. Gradually, it has become a practical tool in the daily operations of small businesses. According to a national survey conducted by Reimagine Main Street in collaboration with PayPal , the adoption of this technology has reached a tipping point. What was once an optional decision is now almost a strategic necessity.

More than 50% of small businesses are exploring the use of generative AI tools, while 25% have already integrated them into their daily operations. This marks a paradigm shift: from asking “should I use AI?” to “how and when should I integrate it into my business?”

Read the full story at Merca 2.0 .

Beyond Efficiency: Small Businesses Look to AI for Competitive Edge, New Survey Shows

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 14:47:35 GMT

Reimagine Main Street Survey of 1,000 Small Businesses Reveals that 82% Think Adopting AI Is Essential to Stay Competitive In Today’s Business Environment

SAN JOSE, Calif. and WASHINGTON, D.C. June 10, 2025 – Over 50% of small businesses are exploring AI implementation in their operations, according to a survey from Reimagine Main Street, a project of Public Private Strategies Institute in partnership with PayPal. The survey of nearly 1,000 small businesses with annual revenue between $25,000–$5,000,000, also found that 25% have already integrated AI into daily operations. These findings* reveal that the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) among small businesses has reached a tipping point—evolving from a question of “if” to “when.”

“Small business owners are already putting AI to work,” said Tammy Halevy, Executive Director, Reimagine Main Street. “One in four are using it today, and more than half are exploring the possibilities of AI for their businesses. But these ‘Explorers’ want to see how AI advances their businesses. They need tools that are simple to use, secure, and built for how they actually run their businesses. And it matters — because when small businesses adopt AI in ways that work for them, the benefits will also accrue to local economies, supply chains, and the broader economy.”

The survey identified three distinct segments of small businesses: “Active Users” who have already integrated AI into daily operations, “Explorers” who are testing or researching AI solutions but haven't fully committed, and “Non-Users,” those with no current plans to use AI.

Advancing to Strategic Applications

Having experienced AI’s early benefits, Active Users are now seeking more sophisticated capabilities that move beyond efficiency to provide strategic business advantages:

Business Automation: More than three in four (77%) report that marketing and customer engagement represent uses where new AI solutions would have the greatest impact to their businesses, with 84% willing to automate the creation of marketing content and 59% willing to automate customer service inquiries.
Financial Intelligence: 53% report AI-powered cash flow forecasting would solve a “critical pain point.”
Predictive Revenue: 45% are extremely likely to adopt a tool that predicts revenue trends to help with staffing, inventory, and marketing decisions.
Real-Time Customer Insights: 40% are extremely likely to adopt tools providing real-time trend analysis of customer buying behavior in order to recommend dynamic pricing and promotions.

“This comprehensive survey clearly illustrates how AI is fundamentally changing small business operations,” said Rhett Buttle, President of Public Private Strategies Institute. “As businesses experience tangible benefits from initial applications, they are seeking increasingly sophisticated solutions that can transform their decision-making processes and competitive positioning. What we’re seeing is a strategic shift where small businesses recognize that AI isn’t just a nice-to-have tool for saving time—it's becoming essential for maintaining competitiveness in today’s market.”

AI Is On The Verge of Widespread Small Business Adoption

“When it’s accessible, understandable, and built for real-life use, AI can be a great equalizer for small businesses,” said Michelle Gill, General Manager, Small Business and Financial Services, PayPal . “At PayPal, we see the opportunity that AI presents to our merchants, specifically small businesses. We are developing AI-driven tools that act as smart partners to small businesses allowing them to reap the benefits of AI – from delivering personalized shopping experiences to order fulfillment to merchant discoverability – in a safe, simple and scalable way.”

The largest segment—51% of surveyed businesses—are “Explorers” experimenting with AI tools but not yet fully committed. Despite interest and enthusiasm, these businesses face barriers:

Security Concerns: 38% worry about data privacy and security
Resource Constraints: 37% lack the time or resources to properly explore tools
Uncertain Value: 34% don’t yet see a clear use case or return on investment

The survey reveals these Explorers aren’t skeptical—they’re stuck. Explorers are hungry for AI solutions but need specific support to move forward, including proven business value (74% would adopt with clearer ROI evidence), user-friendly solutions (73% want easier-to-use AI tools), and practical training (ranked as the top support need across all segments).

Together, Active Users and Explorers represent 76% of small businesses—indicating not resistance to AI adoption, but rather varying stages of engagement on a trajectory toward adoption. The question for most small businesses is no longer whether to adopt AI, but rather how quickly and in what ways.

What's Driving the March to Adoption:

Competitive Necessity: 66% of small business owners believe “adopting AI is essential for staying competitive,” with 78% of current users and 69% of explorers feeling pressure to adopt AI to keep up with competitors.
Building Resilience Against Uncertainty: 63% of current users believe AI could help their businesses become more resilient during economic challenges.

“As a small business owner, I’ve seen firsthand how AI has transformed my daily operations,” said Katrina Golden, Owner of Lil Mama's Sweets and Treats. “What used to take me hours now takes minutes, giving me back time to focus on growth strategies and customers. But it’s not just about efficiency, it’s about using this as a tool to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.”

The survey was fielded by Reimagine Main Street, a project of the nonprofit Public Private Strategies Institute, in partnership with 14 national business organizations and support from PayPal. Reimagine Main Street performs research to generate data-driven insights and regularly convenes small business leaders, investors, experts, and policymakers to address opportunities and barriers for small businesses. PayPal has collaborated with Reimagine Main Street since 2020 when the initiative launched as a response to the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses and the people they employ. Today, Reimagine Main Street and PayPal continue to partner to help small businesses navigate another wave of rapid change: AI.

For more information about the survey and its findings, visit https://www.reimaginemainstreet.org/ai-and-small-business-survey.

The following organizations partnered to field this survey:

Carolina Martinez, CEO, CAMEO Network (California) : “Small business owners are innovators at heart — and this survey shows they’re eager to explore how AI can help them save time, forecast growth, and market to their audiences. But, it also highlights the need for more accessible tools and training to ensure every entrepreneur, no matter their background or resources, can benefit from this technology. At CAMEO, we’re committed to making sure small businesses aren’t left behind in the AI revolution.”

Jill Houghton, President and CEO, Disability:IN: “ AI offers tremendous potential to break down barriers. The fact that these findings show business owners with disabilities are leading in AI adoption underscores the urgent need for policies and support systems that prioritize accessibility from the start. As AI reshapes the business landscape, we have a responsibility to ensure that innovation is inclusive — providing the tools, training, and infrastructure so every entrepreneur, including those with disabilities, can fully participate and thrive.”

Jennifer Garcia, COO, Latino Business Action Network (LBAN): “Latino business owners have long demonstrated resilience and a forward-looking mindset, and their embrace of AI is a powerful reflection of that drive to innovate and grow. Our data shows that scaled Latino-owned companies are at the forefront of AI adoption. As this technology rapidly evolves, we must ensure all Latino entrepreneurs have access to the tools, training, and support they need—not just to adapt, but to lead in the age of AI.”

Chiling Tong, President and CEO, National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE): “This data affirms what we see every day: small business owners in the AAPI community are embracing new technologies like AI with enthusiasm and openness. Their leadership in adopting innovation is shaping the future of our economy.”

Keith R. Hall, President and CEO, National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE): “AI is already changing the way America’s self-employed do business — especially when it comes to reaching customers and staying competitive. But for solopreneurs, it can’t just be about big promises. AI adoption has to be affordable, and it has to come with real-world training that fits their day-to-day reality. If we want these businesses to thrive, we need to make sure the self-employed aren’t left to figure it out on their own.”

Todd McCracken, President and CEO, National Small Business Association (NSBA): “The fact that small business owners are eager to embrace AI shows their resilience and adaptability — but it also underscores a critical issue: if we don’t act now, the gap between those who can afford to invest in these technologies and those who can’t will only widen. For AI to truly benefit our economy, we need to ensure that small businesses, particularly the ones that drive local economies, aren’t left behind. Solutions that make training accessible, lower the cost of adoption, and level the playing field are essential if we want to see small businesses thrive in the digital age.”

Jen Earle, CEO, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): “ Women-owned businesses are exploring AI solutions at impressive rates. However, despite similar adoption rates, women entrepreneurs continue to face barriers when it comes to tailored support and marketing. As we move forward, it's crucial that we not only foster more inclusive innovation but also ensure that women-owned businesses have equal access to the tools and resources to succeed in the digital economy.”

Gil Pontes, Executive Director, NextGen Chamber of Commerce: “AI technology is reshaping the future of business, and the next generation of entrepreneurs is leading adoption. What does this mean? We must be focused on making sure that young, diverse, and forward-thinking business leaders have equitable access to AI education, resources, and opportunities — so they can compete, innovate, and thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.”

Ying McGuire, President and CEO, National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC): “Empowering minority-owned businesses with access to advanced AI tools and training is essential for accelerating their growth and long-term success. As technology rapidly evolves, minority business enterprises must be equipped to adapt and compete. Adopting AI is not just about innovation but also about unlocking economic opportunity and enhancing business performance across industries."

Ramiro A. Cavazos, President and CEO, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC): “America’s small businesses are fueling our nation’s economic growth and prosperity. Access to emerging technologies, including AI, will ensure that momentum continues. This survey highlights that the Latino business community has shown strong openness to use AI, and we must expand career and technical education to equip our workforce with the skills needed in today’s evolving economy.”

Pamela Prince-Eason, President and CEO, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): “ We believe that embracing and deploying AI tools is essential for women-owned businesses' continued growth and success. In today’s digital landscape, staying competitive means leveraging AI to drive innovation, improve sustainability, and maintain long-term market presence. Women entrepreneurs must have equitable access to the technology, training, and support they need to adapt and grow. We are committed to empowering women business owners with the cutting-edge tools and knowledge to thrive in this new era of opportunity.”

Angela Dingle, CEO, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) : “AI is a game-changer for small businesses. Women entrepreneurs are already leaning in — but they’re not getting the support they need. This survey highlights that while men and women use AI at similar rates, women report a greater need for support, training, and resources — yet are half as likely to be directly marketed to by tech providers. In order to innovate and compete in the evolving AI economy, women entrepreneurs must have equal access to support and education. At WIPP, we will continue to advocate for fair access to these tools for all women entrepreneurs.”

*Source: National survey of 947 small businesses fielded by Reimagine Main Street and 14 partners with support from PayPal, May 2025

About Reimagine Main Street
Reimagine Main Street, a project of the Public Private Strategies Institute, is a multi-stakeholder, cross-sector initiative that brings small business leaders, investors, experts, and policymakers together with business owners and the people they employ. We engage diverse stakeholders and develop data-driven insights to shape and inform market opportunities and policy. For more information, please visit reimaginemainstreet.org

About Public Private Strategies Institute
The Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) is an independent research and education organization. PPSI engages in educational activities concerning the public and private sectors’ roles in advancing societal change. PPSI explores best practices and trends through research, publications, and educational events. Additionally, it produces educational and informational content that will educate public and private sector actors about their capacity to be agents of social change; and conduct research into the existing landscape of public and private social responsibility and the potential for the future. For more information, please visit ppsi.org .

About PayPal

PayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. For more information, visit https://www.paypal.com , https://about.pypl.com/ and https://investor.pypl.com/ .

Investing in America Creates Opportunities for Small Business & Entrepreneurs

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 16:00:26 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today at an event in Wisconsin, President Biden will highlight the record 14.6 million new business applications filed to date during the Biden-Harris Administration. The United States is on track to have the three strongest years ever for new small businesses. The small business boom shows the opportunity the Investing in America agenda has for reaching communities across the country, including Black and Latino entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Recent research from Reimagine Main Street found that contracting with the federal government and large corporations presents significant opportunities for diverse-owned and small businesses. Businesses are eager to learn more about opportunities from the Investing in America agenda and see promise in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act for economic growth and emerging new businesses.

Rhett Buttle, President Of Public Private Strategies Institute & Founder of Public Private Strategies:

“This boom in new business applications indicates the Investing in America agenda is working. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and federal investments like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act have prioritized getting economic opportunities to entrepreneurs and business leaders across the country. Today’s announcement of the CHIPS Act’s Recompete Pilot Program also shows the promise of encouraging economic activity in geographically diverse and persistently distressed communities. Americans’ innovation and readiness to start new businesses is at an all-time high, and as we continue to connect federal investments to communities across the country, our economy will continue to prosper.”

Tammy Halevy, Executive Director, Reimagine Main Street, a project of the Public Private Strategies Institute:

“Our economy thrives when Americans from all backgrounds have opportunities to start successful businesses. The surge in applications for new businesses is a sign of optimism and a reflection of opportunities from the Investing in America agenda for entrepreneurs on Main Streets, MLK Boulevards, Cesar Chavez Ways and Chinatowns. Our research this year shows that many diverse businesses are already competing for and winning contracts in Investing in America sectors, and that the capacity is there for even more contracting. The intentional efforts of the Biden-Harris Administration and the business community has opened up new opportunities for diverse entrepreneurs — and they’re ready to seize them.”

Ramiro A. Cavazos, President and CEO, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:

“More than five million Hispanic-owned businesses are currently fueling the U.S. economy, so it is welcome news that the Investing in America agenda continues to impact our communities as they make meaningful economic contributions across the country. These much-needed new investments enable Latinos and Latinas to grow our already impressive $3.2 trillion GDP. As the U.S. economy continues to strengthen, we look forward to seeing these important opportunities benefit Hispanic entrepreneurs and businesses everywhere.”

Ron Busby, President and CEO, the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.:

“This new record number of Black business applications is a promising and hopeful sign for everyone. Black entrepreneurs and small-business owners make our economy vibrant and our communities thrive. Black communities across the nation are seeing real results from the opportunities created by the Investing in America agenda, and these emerging businesses will make our economy stronger. As we look toward 2024, this welcome news must redouble our commitment to ensuring all entrepreneurs and business owners have access to these important federal investments.”

Ying McGuire, President and CEO, National Minority Supplier Development Council:

“Diverse businesses are the backbone of our communities. It is exciting to see the growth and emergence of so many diverse suppliers thanks to the Investing in America agenda. The Biden-Harris Administration’s investments are creating a historic expansion of economic opportunity and prosperity for the Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, and Native American businesses and entrepreneurs we serve. NMSDC-certified businesses are ready to compete for and win new contracts with both the government and corporate America and today’s news reflects their optimism for the future. Providing equitable opportunities to all business owners creates a strong and dynamic economy that benefits us all.”

Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League:

"Black-owned small businesses are the lifeblood of their communities, but what they need are what we call the three C's – customers, contracts and capital. That's why the National Urban League proudly advocated for the landmark economic initiatives the Biden-Harris administration has spearheaded, including the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. These investments have the potential to dramatically advance economic justice in our nation."

###

Axios: SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ruling Will Reinforce Inequities, Impact Economy

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 20:14:55 GMT

Statement from Tammy Halevy, Executive Director of Reimagine Main Street, on the impact on small businesses of the Supreme Court’s decision to eliminate race-conscious admissions at higher education institutions and its impacts on small businesses:

June 29, 2023 – "The Supreme Court’s decision striking down Affirmative Action is not only a decisive blow to diversity efforts in the realm of education, but reflects a broader strategy to dismantle hard-won progress in removing barriers to full participation by all in every aspect of American economic and civic life. This ruling and the broader sentiment it reflects puts small businesses, large corporations, and the broader economy at risk.

"Access to economic opportunity on a level playing field is imperative. Challenges to policies and programs designed in response to documented disparities are increasingly appearing before the courts, from preferences in some COVID-related relief initiatives such as the Restaurant Recovery Act, to the injunction last month by a federal judge on the work of the Minority Business Development Agency in various states.

"This ruling creates an imperative for creative problem-solving and new approaches that steer clear of explicit race-based criteria but address quantifiable barriers to competition and unlock the economic benefits of diversity."

###

STATEMENT: Supreme Court’s Ruling on Affirmative Action Will Have Ripple Effect on Diverse Businesses and Our Economy

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 17:23:25 GMT

###

RMS & U.S. Department of Commerce Announce New Collaboration to Educate Business Owners on New Federal Economic Investments & Pilot Strategies to Accelerate “Good Jobs”

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 21:42:57 GMT

Public Private Strategies Institute and U.S. Department of Commerce Announce New Collaboration to Educate Business Owners on New Federal Economic Investments & Pilot Strategies to Accelerate “Good Jobs”

Partnership Will Reach Hundreds of Thousands of Businesses, Inform and Connect Federal Investments & Pilot Programs to Strengthen Employers & Workers

WASHINGTON, D.C. [June 21, 2023] – Today, Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) and the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a new collaboration to expand public awareness of the Department’s programs, priorities, and new initiatives.

The historic economic investments made over the past two years include tens of billions of dollars in funding opportunities flowing through the Department of Commerce. These resources have the potential to transform communities and strengthen our economy, but only if business owners have access to information about new programs and are connected with the tools to take advantage of them.

That’s why Public Private Strategies Institute and the Department of Commerce will jointly host a series of events that bring together senior administration officials, business leaders, nonprofit leaders, and small employers – these events will reach hundreds of thousands of business owners across the PPSI and Department of Commerce networks.

In addition, Reimagine Main Street , a project of PPSI, and the Department of Commerce will engage small employers on job quality and design pilots to advance “Good Jobs.” Ultimately, the partnership seeks to accelerate small business awareness and adoption of Good Jobs Principles through the DOC’s Job Quality Toolkit .

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo:

“Thanks to President Biden we have seen a historic small business boom over the past two years, and the Department of Commerce is committed to ensuring this boom translates into high-quality job opportunities for workers across the country. As the Department and entire Administration continue to make investments in America, including in our small businesses, we are taking steps like this collaboration and our Job Quality Toolkit to ensure small business owners have the tools and knowledge they need to create good jobs and grow economic opportunity in every community.”

Rhett Buttle, President, Public Private Strategies Institute:

“Major investments like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS & Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act have enabled the Department of Commerce to rapidly develop and deploy new programs and funding opportunities for businesses across the country. For these opportunities to be implemented efficiently, effectively, and equitably, there needs to be dedicated and consistent outreach and education to help diverse constituencies of business owners access these generational investments.

“That’s why PPSI is so excited about this partnership to engage our diverse network of hundreds of thousands of business owners to expand public awareness of these historic economic opportunities.”

Tammy Halevy, Executive Director of Reimagine Main Street, a project of the Public Private Strategies Institute:

“Reimagine Main Street looks forward to our partnership with the Department of Commerce to improve job quality among small employers. More than half of the nation’s 134 million employees work for firms with fewer than 100 employees. These firms and workers are the lifeblood of MLK Boulevards, Cesar Chavez Ways, Chinatowns, and Main Streets across the country. However, research shows these workers are less likely to be in ‘good jobs’ compared to workers employed by larger firms, and represent a significant share of low-wage workers.

“Our collaboration with the Department of Commerce will leverage our network to engage diverse business owners across the country and pilot strategies to increase the quality of all jobs.”

Earlier this year, Reimagine Main Street launched a project to improve job quality with support from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Reimagine Main Street’s previous research on Good Jobs and small employers found that job quality is a significant driver of business performance. As a result, efforts to advance good jobs should accelerate growth and increase the profitability of small businesses, create incentives for already strong small companies to improve job quality, and stimulate innovations across markets and policy to make affordable benefits available at scale. This partnership between Reimagine Main Street and the Department of Commerce builds on the insights from that work.

# # #

About Public Private Strategies Institute

The Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) is an independent research and education organization. PPSI engages in educational activities concerning the public and private sectors’ roles in advancing societal change. PPSI explores best practices and trends through research, publications, and educational events. Additionally, it produces educational and informational content that will educate public and private sector actors about their capacity to be agents of social change; and conduct research into the existing landscape of public and private social responsibility and the potential for the future. For more information, please visit ppsi.org .

About Reimagine Main Street

Reimagine Main Street , a project of the Public Private Strategies Institute, is a multi-stakeholder, cross-sector initiative that brings small business leaders, investors, experts, and policymakers together with business owners and the people they employ. We engage diverse stakeholders and develop data-driven insights to shape and inform market opportunities and policy.

Together, we are working to ensure MLK Boulevards, Cesar Chavez Ways, Chinatowns, and Main Streets prosper, and that the benefits ripple across communities and throughout the economy.

About the U.S. Department of Commerce

The Department of Commerce’s mission is to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity for all communities. Through its 13 bureaus, the Department works to drive U.S. economic competitiveness, strengthen domestic industry, and spur the growth of quality jobs in all communities across the country. The Department serves as the voice of business in the Federal Government, and at the same time, the Department touches and serves every American every day.

Reimagine Main Street Statement on CFPB Rule Strengthening Data Transparency in Small Business Lending

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 15:43:56 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. [April 3, 2023]– On March 30, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized a new rule to increase data transparency in small business lending.

The rule , section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act, was mandated by Congress and requires lenders to collect and report information about the small business applications they receive, including geographic and demographic data, lending decisions, and the price of credit.

Tammy Halevy, Executive Director of Reimagine Main Street, released the following statement:

“The rule finalized by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will create much-needed transparency in small business lending.

“Transparency in small business lending is critical for investors, policymakers, advocates, and all other market participants to track funds flows, assess lending patterns, and empower data-driven decision-making. Today, there is limited available data on credit access for entrepreneurs, and no comprehensive information available about small business lending. This rule provides for a near-complete view of the small business credit market by including a range of credit products from virtually all lenders.

“This rule is an important step forward to ensure small businesses and the people they employ on MLK Boulevards, Cesar Chavez Ways, Chinatowns, and Main Streets can access credit to fuel their growth and participate in a prosperous economy.”

###

Tammy Halevy Statement on SBA Women's Business Summit

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 19:28:31 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. [March 29, 2023]– This week, the U.S. Small Business Administration hosted the second annual Women’s Business Summit. President Biden and U.S. Small Business Administrator Guzman kicked off the proceedings on Monday at the White House and announced new investments in women small business owners.

In reaction to this week's news, Tammy Halevy, Executive Director of Reimagine Main Street, released the following statement:

“ Women started nearly half of all new businesses in the United States in 2021. This embrace of the entrepreneurial spirit is an act of hope and a signal of opportunity in our economy. But women-owned businesses are generally undercapitalized and report they are less likely than their male peers to access financing. Women entrepreneurs receive less than 2 percent of all traditional venture capital dollars. Expanding access to capital and ensuring that capital flows to women-owned small businesses on MLK Boulevards, Cesar Chavez Ways, Chinatowns and Main Streets is critical to growing a strong and equitable economy. We are committed to working with partners at the Women’s Business Summit and across the country to expand access to capital flows for women business owners.”

###

Reimagine Main Street Statement on Labor Secretary Nomination

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 22:18:37 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, President Biden officially nominated Deputy Labor Secretary Julie Su to be the next Secretary of Labor.

Following today’s announcement, Tammy Halevy, Executive Director of Reimagine Main Street, released the following statement:

“The past two years have been the strongest period of new business formation on record in the United States, with more than 10.5 million new applications filed. Latino and Black entrepreneurs are launching businesses at high rates. Twelve million jobs have been created, including over 800,000 manufacturing jobs. GDP is growing, and unemployment is at the lowest rate in nearly 50 years.

“Deputy Secretary Su has played a critical role in fostering this economic expansion by supporting American workers. We are confident that as Labor Secretary, she will build upon these successes and continue to deliver for American workers and the economy.

“As we evaluate the labor market and look for opportunities to grow a stronger and more equitable economy that includes MLK Boulevards, Cesar Chavez Ways, Chinatowns, and Main Streets, we must continue to advance good jobs, particularly among small employers. More than half of the nation’s 134 million employees work for firms with fewer than 100 employees, and low-income workers are more likely to be employed by small firms. As Reimagine Main Street and our partners work to identify scalable opportunities to improve job quality at small firms, we look forward to sharing findings and collaborating with the Department of Labor under the leadership of Julie Su."

###

Announcing New Project To Advance Good Jobs Among Small Employers, with Gates Foundation Support

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 05:46:41 GMT

Reimagine Main Street Receives Commitment to Improve Small Business Job Quality

Grant from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for Project to Quantify Job Quality Among Small Employers, Test Scalable Interventions to Improve Economic Mobility for Low-Wage Workers

Commitment Builds On Reimagine Main Street’s Research and Engagement to Advance “Good Jobs” Among Small Employers on Main Streets, MLK Boulevards, Cesar Chavez Ways, and Chinatowns

WASHINGTON, D.C. [February 16, 2023]– Today, Reimagine Main Street , a project of the Public Private Strategies Institute , announced that the initiative was awarded a new multi-million dollar grant for a project to improve job quality for employees of small firms .

Over the course of the next year, Reimagine Main Street will develop a robust segmentation of small employers and the people they employ in order to work with partners to design and test effective and scalable interventions that improve job quality tailored to the needs, priorities, and constraints of small employers and their workers. The grant comes from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In addition to the segmentation analysis, the project will also form a representative Small Employer Advisory Council, in order to capture real-time feedback and guidance from the lived experience of representative small employers. The Small Employer Advisory Council will be complemented by a Reimagine Main Street Network working group on Good Jobs.

More than half of the nation’s 134 million employees work for firms with fewer than 100 employees. Research shows these workers are less likely to be in Good Jobs compared to workers employed by larger firms, and represent a significant share of low-wage workers.

By partnering to design and test targeted interventions that can meet the needs of both small employers and their workers at scale, this project seeks measurable long-term improvement in job quality for low-wage workers employed by small employers.

“Reimagine Main Street is grateful for support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to expand our work to improve job quality among small employers,” said Tammy Halevy, Executive Director of Reimagine Main Street & Senior Advisor at Public Private Strategies. “Small employers are the lifeblood of communities throughout the country. Finding effective and efficient ways to strengthen these businesses and improve the financial health of the people they employ is imperative to strengthen economic resilience, support equitable wealth creation, and ensure that the benefits of entrepreneurship and hard work are rewarded.”

“Reimagine Main Street’s research to advance job quality is a central part of the Public Private Strategies Institute’s work to bring the public and private sectors together, finding innovative solutions that strengthen the American economy and improve outcomes for business owners, their employees, and the communities they serve. PPSI is excited to expand this work to advance job quality in 2023, and grateful for the support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,” said Rhett Buttle, President of Public Private Strategies Institute & Founder of Public Private Strategies.

Reimagine Main Street’s previous research on good jobs and small employers found that business performance drives job quality. As a result, efforts to advance Good Jobs should accelerate growth and increase profitability of small businesses, create incentives for already strong small companies to improve job quality, and stimulate innovations across markets and policy to make affordable benefits available at scale.

###

Statement from Diverse Small Business Advocates Ahead of Vice President Harris’ Trip to North Carolina to Discuss Small Business Growth

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 18:08:02 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Vice President Harris is in North Carolina to meet with small businesses and discuss small business growth.

Ahead of the Vice President’s trip, leading advocates for small businesses are speaking out about the economic recovery and growing strength of MLK Boulevards, Cesar Chavez Ways, Chinatowns, and Main Streets.

Tammy Halevy, Executive Director of Reimagine Main Street, said:

“The past two years have been the strongest period of new business formation on record in the United States, with more than 10.5 million new applications filed. Latino and Black entrepreneurs are launching businesses at high rates. Starting a business reflects optimism about the future. And when MLK Boulevards, Cesar Chavez Ways, Chinatowns, and Main Streets thrive, so do their employees and the communities they serve – the record pace of small business formation is one of the reasons why GDP is growing and we’re seeing the lowest unemployment rate in nearly 50 years.

“There have also been historic efforts to level the playing field for small businesses, including by investing much-needed resources into the IRS via the Inflation Reduction Act. This long-overdue funding to modernize the IRS will help the IRS provide new tools and resources to small businesses so that they can compete in a fair economy.”

LeRoy Cavazos-Reyna, Senior Advisor at Public Private Strategies, said:

“Vice President Harris’ trip to North Carolina highlights the growing strength of small minority-owned businesses across the country. In the United States, five million Hispanic-owned businesses contribute more than $800 billion to our economic vibrancy. According to Reimagine Main Street research , more than 60% of Hispanic-owned businesses lack confidence that they could fund an unexpected $5,000 expense – this small margin for error meant that many Hispanic-owned businesses were hit particularly hard during the unprecedented COVID-19 global pandemic.

“But now, Hispanic-owned small businesses are bouncing back. The legislative accomplishments of the past two years – including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, American Rescue Plan, and Inflation Reduction Act – are helping fuel record minority small business growth, including by expanding access to capital and ensuring contracting opportunities are available to minority contractors.”

Lenwood V. Long, Sr., President and CEO of the African American Alliance of Community Development Financial Institution CEOs:

“Supporting Black-owned businesses is critical to building Black wealth, closing the racial wealth gap, and growing an equitable and dynamic economy in every community. Community Development Financial Institutions play an important role in supporting Black-owned businesses by providing financing and access to capital that hasn’t always been readily available to diverse small businesses. The Biden-Harris Administration has been a strong supporter of CDFIs and recognizes the importance of CDFIs to a strong economic recovery, including delivering over $8 billion in resources to 162 community financial institutions last year.”

Gris Bailey, President and CEO of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce-Charlotte:

“Diverse small business owners were hit particularly hard by the pandemic, and they’ve been slower to recover. But thanks to a growing economy and major bipartisan investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and improving access to capital, many businesses are bouncing back, revitalizing Main Streets in diverse communities across America."

Declaración de diversos defensores de los pequeños negocios antes del viaje de la vicepresidente Harris a Carolina del Norte para hablar sobre el crecimiento de los pequeños negocios

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Hoy, la vicepresidenta Harris esta en Carolina del Norte para reunirse con pequeños negocios y analizar el crecimiento de los pequeños negocios.

Antes del viaje de la vicepresidenta, los principales defensores de los pequeños negocios hablarán sobre la recuperación económica y la creciente fortaleza de MLK Boulevards, Cesar Chavez Ways, Chinatowns y Main Streets.

LeRoy Cavazos-Reyna, asesor mayor de Public Private Strategies, dijo:

“El viaje de la vicepresidenta Harris a Carolina del Norte destaca la creciente fortaleza de los pequeños negocios, de propiedad minoritaria, en todo el país. En los Estados Unidos, cinco millones de negocios propiedad de hispanos contribuyen con más de $800 mil millones a nuestra vitalidad económica. Según la investigación de Reimagine Main Street, más del 60% de las empresas de propiedad hispano no confían en poder financiar un gasto inesperado de $5,000; este pequeño margen de error significó que muchas empresas propiedad de hispanos se vieron particularmente afectadas durante la crisis global de la pandemia de COVID-19.

“Pero ahora, los pequeños negocios propiedad de hispanos se están recuperando. Los logros legislativos de los últimos dos años, incluida la Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, the American Rescue Plan y the Inflation Reduction Act, están ayudando a impulsar el crecimiento récord de los pequeños negocios minoritarias, incluso al ampliar el acceso a dinero en efectivo y garantizar que las oportunidades de contratación estén disponibles para los contratistas minoritarios”.

###

Creating Good Jobs: Perspectives from Small Employers - Event Recap and Recording

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 15:27:56 GMT

The health and economic crises resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic evoked a long overdue conversation on the precarious nature of work in the United States. A subsequent tight labor market has shifted the balance of power towards workers, whose demands for better pay and benefits have galvanized policymakers and philanthropy to focus attention on defining and measuring job quality, and strategies to invest in human capital.

But how do employers–especially small employers–think about job quality? According to Census data, more than half of the nation’s 134 million employees work for firms with fewer than 100 employees. Not only are small employers an important source of jobs, low-income people are disproportionately employed by small businesses and these workers are more likely to be Black or Latino/a.

Reimagine Main Street, Common Future, and WorkRise hosted a convening of small business owners, lenders, philanthropy leaders, and other experts to discuss opportunities and challenges for small employers to be the source of good jobs.

We shared findings from a new survey of more than 1,200 diverse small employers probing their views on the current labor market and approaches to good jobs. Understanding the unique drivers and constraints small businesses face in improving job quality is necessary to expand access to good jobs.

The conversation featured:

Michele Chang, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce

Don Baylor, Managing Director, Co-Head of Community Impact, Lafayette Square

Kim Brown, Senior Program Officer, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Rhett Buttle, Principal and Founder, Public Private Strategies

Michele Chang, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Economic Development Administration, US Department of Commerce

Tiara Flynn, Chief Executive Officer, Sumnu Marketing (Small Employer)

Rodney Foxworth, Chief Executive Officer, Common Future

Dr. Erika Gonzalez, CEO & President, South Texas Allergy & Asthma Medical Professionals (STAAMP) (Small Employer)

Jorge Gonzalez-Hermoso, Research Associate, The Urban Institute

Todd Greene, Institute Fellow, The Urban Institute & Executive Director, WorkRise

Tammy Halevy, Executive Director, Reimagine Main Street

Ida Rademacher, Vice President & Executive Director, Financial Security Program, The Aspen Institute

Amy Saxton, Vice President of Program Development, The James Irvine Foundation

Watch the event:

Trust and Access to Capital Event Recap and Recording

Fri, 20 May 2022 03:32:30 GMT

Reimagine Main Street in partnership with the National Asian / Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE), U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) hosted a virtual roundtable, Trust and Access to Capital, on May 19, 2022 to discuss findings from our new national survey of diverse small business owners.

The event featured top line findings from the survey and perspectives from business, government and advocacy leaders with remarks from Congresswoman Judy Chu who serves on the House Small Business committee.

The survey found that nearly half of small business owners, and more small business owners of color, lack confidence in their ability to to fund an unplanned $5,000 business expense. At the same time, the survey found a strong level of small business trust in the Small Business Administration (SBA), bucking the trend of waning trust in government institutions and pointing to public-private partnerships with the SBA as a potential solution to help Main Street.

Panelists included the CEOs of National ACE, USBC, and USHCC; executives from Wells Fargo, and Paypal; and executives from Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), a Georgia-based CDFI and the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Reimagine Main Street Praises Nomination of Don Cravins to Lead Minority Business Development Agency

Fri, 06 May 2022 19:40:15 GMT

Statement from Tammy Halevy, Executive Director of Reimagine Main Street – a project of Public Private Strategies Institute – on the nomination of Donald R. Cravins Jr. to serve as Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development.

Washington, D.C., – “As we emerge from the pandemic, it’s more important than ever that minority small business owners have strong support from leaders in Washington. Our surveys consistently demonstrate that in spite of considerable optimism among Latino and Black small business owners, COVID recovery has been uneven across communities. Today’s announcement that Don Cravins will be the inaugural Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development is phenomenal news for small businesses on Martin Luther King Boulevards, Cesar Chavez Ways, Chinatowns, and Main Streets across the country.

“The permanent authorization of the Minority Business Development Agency included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was a crucial step toward increasing support for minority-owned small businesses as we rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is no one better qualified to shape this new role than Don Cravins.

“Don has been a champion of minority small business development during his time as Staff Director of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship in the United States Senate and his recent civil rights and business development work at The National Urban League.

“Reimagine Main Street and our minority small business partners across the country welcome the nomination of Don Cravins and urge his swift confirmation in the United States Senate."

Allies Praise Biden-Harris Administration Expansion of SBA’s Community Advantage Pilot Program Targeting Access to Capital for Underserved Entrepreneurs

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 17:44:11 GMT

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, March 30, Vice President Kamala Harris and Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and voice for America’s 32.5 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, announced impactful reforms to the agency’s Community Advantage (CA) loan program, a key SBA tool for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Community Development Companies (CDCs), microlenders and other critical mission-based lending partners, that prioritizes equitable access to capital for low-income borrowers and those from underserved communities. Nearly 100 organizations, including small business community allies, stakeholders, leaders and experts, as well as congressional members, lauded the reforms.

Read the press release announcing these impactful reforms to CA here .

Corporate Commitments to Support Entrepreneurs of Color Event Recap and Recording

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 15:28:09 GMT

AARP and Reimagine Main Street hosted a virtual event, Corporate Commitments to Support Entrepreneurs of Color: What Have We Learned and What’s Next? on February 24, 2022.

The event featured a fireside chat with keynote speaker Janis Bowdler, Counselor for Racial Equity at the U.S. Department of Treasury and panels moderated by Jean C. Accius PhD, Senior Vice President of Global Thought Leadership at AARP and Samantha Tweedy, President of the Black Economic Alliance Foundation.

Panelists included senior corporate executives from companies including JPMorgan Chase, PayPal, and Walmart along with leaders in advocacy and philanthropy including JUST Capital.

The event focused on corporate commitments to invest in small businesses and racial equity made in response to the resurgent movements for racial justice in the wake of the muder of George Floyd. Speakers assessed those initiatives and looked ahead to the future and the work that remains to be done.

Reimagine Main Street Encouraged by the Administration’s Announcement To Reform The Federal Contracting Process To Increase Equity For Business Owners of Color

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 16:22:51 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact

Abdullah Khan
abdullah@publicprivatestrategies.com , (301)964-9699

Reimagine Main Street Encouraged by the Administration’s Announcement To Reform The Federal Contracting Process To Increase Equity For Business Owners of Color

Statement from Renée Johnson and Tammy Halevy, Co-Leads of Reimagine Main Street.

Washington, D.C., Dec. 2, 2021— We are encouraged by the White House’s announcement today regarding next steps in the Administration’s efforts to reform federal contracting to increase equity for business owners of color.

In a May 2021 Reimagine Main Street national survey of small business owners , Black, Latino/Hispanic, AAPI, and Native/Indigenous business owners all reported Federal contracting as a top policy priority.

This proposal will use the federal government’s purchasing power to grow federal contracting with small and disadvantaged businesses, and in all, translates to an additional $100 billion over five years to help more Americans realize their entrepreneurial dreams.

Additionally, a key pillar of Reimagine Main Street has been using the power of data to better understand solutions for business owners of color. Today’s actions will, for the first time, release disaggregated data of federal contracting spending by race/ethnicity of business owners, building an important tool for how we shape solutions going forward.

By taking steps to reform the federal contracting and procurement process, the Administration is working towards increasing racial equity, and taking an important step to build back Main Street from the COVID-19 pandemic.

To request an interview with Renée Johnson and Tammy Halevy, contact Abdullah Khan at (301) 964-9699 or abdullah@publicprivatestrategies.com .

###

About Reimagine Main Street
Small businesses and their workers must rebound from the COVID-19 crisis so that communities thrive and the benefits ripple throughout the economy. We are a multi-stakeholder, cross-sector initiative focused on advancing and uplifting innovative solutions to ensure that Main Street is at the center of our recovery. Reimagine Main Street is a project of the Public Private Strategies Institute. Visit www.reimaginemainstreet.org to learn more.

The bipartisan infrastructure bill is a great start. Small-business owners of color need more

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 20:51:37 GMT

The possibility of Congress actually delivering on a bipartisan infrastructure package is not only welcome news to those who still believe thoughtful, collaborative leadership is possible in Washington but also represents an essential investment in communities that desperately need it.

Main Street, in particular, is set to benefit from these investments. However, as we continue to build back from a generational public health and economic crisis and grapple with the consequences of a much-needed reckoning on racial equity, minority-owned small businesses need this infrastructure investment to be one piece of a larger effort. We need to take lessons from the programs that kept Main Street afloat during the height of the pandemic, ensure the resources get to the people hit hardest and engage leaders across sectors to help us deliver the kind of booming and inclusive economy Main Street America deserves.

When COVID-19 hit, the economic impact on small business was swift and devastating. Black, Hispanic, and Asian American and Pacific Islander small-business owners were hit particularly hard, experiencing higher rates of business closures and deeper revenue losses. But more than a year later, and two major relief packages, we’re starting to see signs of a budding recovery. To gain insight into how diverse small businesses were experiencing this recovery, our organizations came together this spring, in partnership with Reimagine Main Street, to field a survey of over 1,300 small-business owners .

The results showed promising but concerning signs. Thankfully, 77 percent expressed optimism about the future of their businesses, with Hispanic small-business owners the most optimistic at 87 percent. This sense of promise is largely fueled by the availability of vaccines. Yet, 63 percent said they didn’t expect revenue to reach pre-pandemic levels for at least six months, with an even higher share of AAPI and Black business owners expecting a long recovery.

These insights provide a guide for where further effort can make an immediate impact. As vaccination rates plateau and the Delta variant spreads rapidly , we have to do more to engage communities with lagging vaccination numbers to prevent a backslide. And although the programs included in the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan helped stop the bleeding, targeted investment is needed to sustain our economic recovery.

There are a number of ways to do this, but all require a coalition of leaders working together. For one, advocates and business leaders will play a role in helping get the bipartisan infrastructure package across the finish line in the House and delivering new investments in roads, bridges, broadband and the infrastructure that sustains our communities. But it can’t stop there. Successful interventions around child care, family support, and targeted business relief is an essential part of the equation. One example is the recently implemented Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which provided over $28 billion to keep restaurant doors open but still left hundreds of thousands of applicants unable to receive support due to high demand. Bipartisan legislation has already been introduced to replenish this fund and would be a critical lifeline to local, independent restaurants still struggling.

Additionally, as public investments increase, it matters who gets access to those dollars. Relief programs like the Paycheck Protection Program proved essential to those who received them, but the data continues to show persistent racial disparities, both in overall experience as well as actual dollars received. A specific, intentional focus on addressing these racial disparities is imperative. That can begin with the largest consumer of goods and services: the federal government. Federal contracting offers a unique way to direct resources to minority-owned businesses, and large investments provide an opportunity to rethink federal contracting benchmarks and policy to prioritize small business and ensure every community has access to one of the largest markets available.

We’ll certainly need partnership from both the government and the private sector to achieve these goals, but companies who want to help do not need to wait for the government to act. For example, PayPal made a $535 million commitment last year to counter systemic racism and close the racial wealth gap with a focus on supporting and strengthening underrepresented minority businesses. They are currently working with our organizations to empower diverse entrepreneurs and identify their unique needs as well as advocate a policy framework that allows for equitable recovery. We need more bold and creative investments like these from other corporate leaders.

Rebuilding Main Streets, Martin Luther King Boulevards, César E. Chávez Ways and Chinatowns across the country will take time. With the end of the darkest days of this crisis in sight, it is critical that we learn from the lessons of the pandemic. As we await House action on the bipartisan infrastructure package, the White House, business leaders and advocates can all act right now to create a more equitable recovery. Main Street depends on these immediate steps for its future.

Ron Busby Sr. is the president and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.

Ramiro A. Cavazos is the president and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Chiling Tong is the president and CEO of the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

Rhett Buttle is the founder of Public Private Strategies, an organization focused on where the public and private sectors meet. He served in the Obama administration and as national business adviser to Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign.

This article was taken from Roll Call., read the original article here .

Finance & Equity Event Recap and Recording

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:24:44 GMT

On Thursday, July 22, 2021, AARP and Reimagine Main Street, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, hosted a virtual event, Finance & Equity: Insights from the PPP on How Technology Might Help Better Serve Business Owners of Color and Their Communities.

Please see a recording of the event below.

3 Ways to Get Minority-Led Small Companies Back to Business

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 16:09:54 GMT

If the pandemic deepened the challenges of dealing with long-felt issues among business owners of color, the recovery is putting them in focus. Access to capital and racial inequity in America continue to weigh on underrepresented small-business owners.

1. Help people get vaccinated.

As the pandemic fueled much of the recent difficulty hitting underrepresented business owners and entrepreneurs, a good first step is to do all you can to overcome the pandemic, which can be achieved by helping people get vaccinated. "You can't get the economy back on track without beating Covid," says Cedric Richmond, a senior adviser to President Biden. Specifically, he suggests offering vaccine incentives to employees, customers, and the communities you serve.

He proposes offering paid time off for employees to get a jab, and providing compensation for missing work because of vaccine complications as motivation. "So many people can't afford to lose a day or two of work," says Richmond, therefore servicing the needs of your employees is a crucial part of getting the economy up and running again.

As for customers, the more people who are vaccinated, the quicker it is you'll return to normalcy. So consider rewarding consumers who are fully vaccinated. United Airlines, for instance, last week launched its "Shot to Fly" campaign, offering the chance to win a year of free flights to vaccinated customers. "We just appreciate the business community partnering with us to get it done," says Richmond.

2. Create an inclusive recovery.

Ensuring Black and Latinx business owners continue to receive financial support is vital, says Tammy Halevy, co-lead of Reimagine Main Street . Passing the American Jobs Plan, Biden's nearly $2 trillion plan to shore up the nation's crumbling infrastructure and boost green jobs, would be a start, adds Halevy. Additionally, it would be helpful to offer new grant programs and to "push the [Small Business Administration] to process forgiveness applications faster" to Black and Brown business owners, who need help accessing capital.

But you can't just rely on the government for help, says Richmond. It is important for all small-business communities to help one another. Yes, you need to focus on supply chains and other internal matters. However, intentionally supporting other ancillary businesses, such as law firms, accountants, and even the local car wash, is an important step in getting minority communities as a whole back in business.

3. Demand greater access to capital.

For many minority-owned small businesses, federal relief was not accessible throughout the pandemic, says Chiling Tong, president and CEO of Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce. "Sixty percent of AAPI businesses, who did not apply for federal relief, did not apply because they did not think they were eligible for relief."

Tong notes that a lack of awareness was a problem. But also, she adds: There was a potential language barrier. She says that information regarding some federal aid programs was not translated into other languages, at least initially.

These technical disadvantages pervaded long before the pandemic, she adds. The government at all levels needs to partner with various chambers of commerce to disband technical disadvantages these communities face, making sure they have the capability to apply for and maintain the same access to capital that other businesses have, says Tong.

Through investments targeted toward an inclusive recovery, vaccine incentives, and expanding access to capital, small businesses will thrive, says Richmond, and "as [small businesses] succeed and flourish, we know that the economy and the country will do the same."

This article was taken from Inc., read the original article here .

SBA Launches “Getting Back on Track: Help Is Here” Webinar Series to Help America’s Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 20:15:00 GMT

The U.S. Small Business Administration and the non-profit Public Private Strategies Institute will launch a new regional webinar series, “Getting Back on Track: Help is Here,” to provide Main Street entrepreneurs with the information and resources they need to continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The educational webinars will feature speakers from The White House, the SBA, Members of Congress, and small business leaders, and will provide updates on the American Rescue Plan.

“The 'Getting Back on Track: Help is Here' webinar series is an important outreach effort to help small businesses recover, rebuild and gain resiliency,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. “Small businesses are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel as marketplaces and main streets reopen thanks to strong vaccination rates. We are empowering small businesses to reopen fully and safely by connecting them with helpful resources and tools, including the Biden-Administration's tax credits that cover paid time-off for employees getting vaccinated. We all must double down on our efforts to help our beloved small businesses survive and get our economy back on track.”

“This webinar series is designed to reach the hardest-hit small business owners across the country with regionally focused conversations connecting them to local resources and to give them the steps they need to build back better,” said Rhett Buttle, Public Private Strategies Institute senior advisor. “The program will focus on three key areas: economic recovery and access to capital options, digital tools, and resources to allow small business owners to be vaccine leaders with their employees and communities.”

The new series builds on a successful national webinar series hosted by the SBA and Public Private Strategies Institute, highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s action to create additional access to the Paycheck Protection Program for America’s smallest businesses. That webinar series provided resources and information to more than 80,000 small business owners across the country
.
To join one of the regional webinars in this series and learn more about programs that will help small businesses get back on track, register at Getting Back on Track: Help is Here !

Schedule

Thursday, May 20, 2021 – 4 p.m. EDT: Region 4 Serving -

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee

Thursday, May 27, 2021 -2:00 p.m. EDT: Serving - Community Organizations and Groups

Thursday, June 3, 2021 - 2:00 p.m. EDT: Region 5 Serving - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin

Thursday, June 17, 2021 - 2:00 p.m. EDT: Region 9 Serving - Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, and Nevada

Thursday, June 24, 2021 - 2:00 p.m. EDT: Region 6 Serving - Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

Thursday, July 8, 2021 - 2:00 p.m. EDT: Region 1 Serving - Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont

Thursday, July 15, 2021 - 2:00 p.m. EDT: Region 7 Serving - Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, and Region 10 Serving - Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

Thursday, July 22, 2021 - 2:00 p.m. EDT: Region 2 Serving - New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and The U.S. Virgin Islands

Thursday, July 29, 2021 - 2:00 p.m. EDT: Region 8 Serving - Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming

Thursday, August 5, 2021 - 2:00 p.m. EDT: Region 3 Serving - Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, and West Virginia

6 Tips To Grow Your Small Business In The Second Half Of 2021

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 19:52:13 GMT

Entering the second half of 2021, now is a fitting time to consider fresh strategies to grow your small business. As more cities reopen with fewer pandemic restrictions and more people hungry for a post-shutdown life, entrepreneurs may do well to latch onto the rosy outlook.

Many minority businesses — including Black-owned ones — are among those feeling that. In fact, some 80 percent of Black and Hispanic small business owners, and over 70 percent of Asian-American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), reported they were optimistic about the future of their businesses. That compared to 70 percent of white small business owners expressing similar sentiments.

The findings came from over 1,300 respondents questioned between April 28 and May 12 this year based on a survey from Reimagine Main Street (RMS), a project of Public Private Strategies.

Still, more needs to be done. For example, firms owned by people of color must keep fighting to overcome ongoing obstacles like accessing capital as well as growing revenue to levels before the pandemic struck.

“Seeing the data cut by race and ethnicity allows us to get a better read on the path to recovery,” Tammy Halevy, co-lead of the Reimagine Main Street initiative, stated. “Small businesses make communities. The optimism of diverse business owners is encouraging, but we aren’t out of the woods. We need to continue efforts to get shots in arms and find much better ways to finance Main Street businesses.”

Here are some tips from small business experts to consider to help grow your enterprise.

1) Enhance Social Media Strategy

It may have been a while since you checked your goals in this critical area. One reason to consider this is fresh social media figures proclaims there are 3.78 billion social media users worldwide in 2021. And that number is projected to keep growing in upcoming years. That is potentially a very strong market of consumers looking to buy goods and services, possibly clients for your business. This link offers some game plans on the social media front .

2) Offer Contactless Alternatives

Even with millions of Americans getting vaccinated, scores of people remain concerned about COVID-19 and their safety. And those feelings are not likely to evaporate soon. One option to help win new customers and boost business with existing ones is providing contactless service options. If you already offer contactless and socially distanced options, continue. If not, examine what services or products you can provide where this can be done. Then list them on your website, social media or other channels with details about how they work. Providing such measures could be a plus in showing patrons you’re concerned about their safety.

3) Provide Video and Livestreaming

Online video content is reportedly sizzling and expected to keep doing so. Roughly two-thirds of the global population will have Internet access by 2023, Cisco reports. There will be 5.3 billion total Internet users — 66 percent of the global population — by 2023.

That would be a rise from 3.9 billion or 51 percent of that population in 2018. Video livestreaming can be a game-changer for your firm as consumers have a strong appetite for it. Among its benefits: Boosting your exposure and helping you offer a niche service rivals might not. This survey shows how effective it can be versus other channels. Click here to discover how livestreaming can assist your business.

4) Increase Productivity

A good start is to focus on matters that are most important and that can bring fruitful results. Consider practicing the 80/20 rule. It basically declares that 80 percent of the results come from 20 percent of your actions. The principle can help people spot and target problem areas, refine existing strategies, or understand what is working extremely well and apply it elsewhere. Check this out for other tips.

5) Use Strategic Partnerships To Become Stronger

These alliances can offer many fundamental ways to scale your business, boost revenue, and make you more competitive. By teaming up with another business, you can potentially capture a new set of customers, offer existing patrons fresh products and services and set yourself apart from rivals. A partnership often can provide you expertise or a capability in an area you might outsource or you’re not familiar with. It can be a cost-effective way to expand into new areas without risking failure due to insufficient resources. Of course, there are ample more benefits to partnerships. One vital suggestion: Do your homework and research before choosing a partner. This site offers some tips regarding that.

6) Revamp Your Business Model

A Bank of America’s 2021 Black Business Owner Spotlight report showed Black businesses are enduring despite emerging challenges from COVID-19. It revealed some 48 percent of Black entrepreneurs have retooled their operations to cope with that devastating impact, a figure that was a whopping double of the national average. Some store-front heavy businesses are now considering ways to start expanding their focus on digital sales. If you’re in the restaurant or grocery store business, many of those vendors that were not offering delivery services are doing so now to help retain existing customers and secure new ones. The bottom line is be open to examining fresh ways to boost sales, increase customer traffic and retain business. For instance, say you have a barber shop, spa, or hair salon, ask yourself what other services might customers want that you don’t offer now? To help retain customers, examine if rewards or loyalty programs could be a good fit.

This article was taken from Black Enterprise, read the original article here .

Health Action Alliance hosting National Rural Business Summit on COVID-19 Vaccines on June 3

Wed, 26 May 2021 20:18:11 GMT

In response to the significantly lower rates of COVID-19 vaccination in rural counties than those in urban counties, the Health Action Alliance is hosting a National Rural Business Summit on COVID-19 Vaccines next Thursday, June 3.

The Summit will feature an impressive slate of speakers representing rural America, including former Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, Mayor Don Hardy of Kinston, NC, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, National Rural Health Association CEO Alan Morgan, and the Executive Director, Rural America Chamber of Commerce's Executive Director Sherri Powell.

You can register for the summit here .

Reimagine Main Street Releases New Survey, Hosts Senior Government & Business Leaders to Share Insights to Get Main Street Back To Business

Tue, 25 May 2021 18:36:39 GMT

NEW Survey Finds Diverse Small Businesses Most Optimistic But Signs of Recovery Not Equally Distributed

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Optimism prevails for small business owners as the vaccine rollout continues, with diverse small businesses owners reporting the most optimism about the future, according to survey results from Reimagine Main Street (RMS) , a project of Public Private Strategies , that is focused on helping small business and their workers recover from effects of the pandemic. The survey, which polled more than 1,300 small business owners from April 28 - May 12, 2021, also found that while small businesses are confident about the future, there are barriers and biases that are not experienced equally across communities of entrepreneurs. Work remains to be done on the road to an inclusive recovery.

Other key findings from the survey include :

More than 80% of Black and Hispanic small business owners, and more than 70% of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), are optimistic about the future of their business, compared to 70% of white small business owners.
More than 60% of AAPI, Black, Hispanic, and White small businesses owners who received Paycheck Protection Program funding reported it was critical to keep their businesses running.
At least two thirds of AAPI (66%), Black (67%), and Native (75%) small business owners expect it will take at least six months to return to pre-pandemic revenue, with Hispanic and White business owners only slightly more optimistic.
Across the board, women business owners are less likely than men (37% vs. 45%) in reporting that business is returning to normal.
Young (<50) Hispanic men are most confident (63%) that we have turned the corner on pandemic and that business is returning to normal. By contrast, young Latinas are among the least confident (29%).
All segments of older (50+) entrepreneurs expect slower recovery than their peers with older AAPI women the least confident in signs of recovery (26%) of all segments of business owners.
Only about 1 in 3 (37%) of the smallest businesses (<$250K revenue) is confident in their ability to access financing to fuel growth. For larger businesses (>$1M revenue), there is a 28% “confidence gap” between diverse entrepreneurs and their White peers.

The survey was fielded in partnership with the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) , the US Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) , and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) who are members of the Reimagine Main Street initiative.

“Seeing the data cut by race and ethnicity allows us to get a better read on the path to recovery. Small businesses make communities. The optimism of diverse business owners is encouraging, but we aren’t out of the woods. We need to continue efforts to get shots in arms and find much better ways to finance Main Street businesses,” said Tammy Halevy, co-lead of the Reimagine Main Street initiative.

Senior Government Officials & Business Leaders Share Insight on Pathway Forward

The survey partners will be hosting an event, “Back to Business: Restarting Main Street in the Wake of COVID-19" , today at 12:30 pm EST. The event will discuss highlights from the survey and feature conversations with senior government and business leaders including Cedric Richmond, Senior Advisor to the President and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.

“Small businesses play a critical role in building and strengthening our communities – they create jobs and are the key to sustaining vibrant economies, says Franz Paasche, senior vice president, chief corporate affairs officer, PayPal, who is participating in the event. “We’re so pleased to be a part of this event to highlight how we can work across the public and private sectors to strengthen the financial health of business owners of color and forge a path to inclusive recovery.”

Additional Quotes from Small Business Owners and Leaders Joining Today’s Release

Ramiro Cavazos, President and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

“COVID disrupted a Latino business boom and the economic recovery should aim to restore it. The optimism that we see in these survey numbers is encouraging. This crisis has taught us the importance of public health access, including bilingual translation of information for our business community. We will continue to work with policy makers to ensure that all business owners of color have the support they need

Chiling Tong President/CEO of the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses both financially and through the rise in anti-Asian violence. It is critical that we get through this pandemic as quickly as possible to make sure we build back better for future generations.”

Ron Busby, Sr., President/CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.

“When our country faces a crisis, the most vulnerable are hit the hardest, especially in the Black community. This was the case with Covid-19, but business owners can help put us on the path to recovery by embracing the vaccine.”

# # #

About Reimagine Main Street

Small businesses and their workers must rebound from the COVID-19 crisis so that communities thrive and the benefits ripple throughout the economy. We are a multi-stakeholder, cross-sector initiative focused on advancing and uplifting innovative solutions to ensure that Main Street is at the center of our recovery. Reimagine Main Street is a project of Public Private Strategies.

About Public Private Strategies

Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges. By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes.

Small Businesses Host Vaccine Clinics to Speed Up Shots

Fri, 07 May 2021 16:22:29 GMT

As vaccine distribution has picked up speed, some small business owners have taken it upon themselves to help get shots into the arms of community members. It’s a strategy likely to become more widespread as attention moves away from mass vaccination sites to harder-to-reach neighborhoods.

In Jackson, Mississippi, Jeff Good, co-owner of Broad Street Baking Company and member of the U.S. Chamber Small Business Council, partnered with the Mississippi State Department of Health to set up a mobile vaccination station outside his restaurant in late April.

"I know that the only way that we will return to any sense of normalcy is for us to get to herd immunity. I want to do my part to be able to provide a platform, not only for the folks in my restaurant, but other restaurants, and the community at large," Good told WJTV .

Good says after seeing the challenges in reaching widespread vaccine acceptance, he wondered if he could do something about it. Several months ago, he reached out to the state health department to ask if he could hold a vaccine event at his restaurant to help vaccinate employees and community members.

With help from the G.A. Carmichael Family Health Center, the partnership came together, and on April 28, 2021, the clinic was set up in the Broad Street Baking Company parking lot and administered Moderna vaccines to employees, families, and the general public. Employees were not required to take the vaccine, but the shots were available for those who wanted it.

The clinic will return to Broad Street Baking Company next month to administer the second doses.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses large and small have stepped up to fight the disease in their communities , and vaccine clinics hosted by local businesses owners are a crucial next step in the nation’s recovery.

Businesses across the country are ready, willing, and able to help America get vaccinated, writes Mike Carney, Senior Vice President of Emerging Issues, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

With the reach and relationships needed to overcome distribution barriers and vaccine hesitancy, businesses are uniquely positioned to get Americans to the next phase of immunity. Small businesses are also trusted institutions: According to Gallup, small business is the most trusted institution in the United States and represent more than 90% of all businesses in the country.

From encouraging local community members to receive the vaccine and spreading awareness, to providing logistical support and hosting clinics, small business owners are already stepping up.

In early April, employees at Wittern Group , a vending machine manufacturer in Clive, Iowa, were vaccinated through a partnership with Medicap Pharmacy . About a third of Witten Group’s 300 employees received their vaccine through the clinic, and second doses were given four weeks later.

Working with Medicap “was a seamless and easy process,” says Wittern Group’s Chief Marketing Officer Ashley Hubler. “We all have to do our part to get back to normal. This is just one way as a company that we can show our commitment to the community, and our employees.”

Medicap is partnering with several businesses in the Des Moines area to host clinics, and Hubler said word is getting out that this is an option for businesses. She’s also heard of plans in the works for shots to be set up at local sporting events and farmers markets.

Orlando Products , a packaging solutions company, has been running a vaccine clinic at their facility in Baltimore, Maryland. And in Baton Rouge, modern Asian restaurant Soji held a vaccination event called “Get a Shot, Take a Shot,” where anyone who got vaccinated received a free drink or a free dumpling.

Soji partnered with local medical group Relief Health and had an on-site nurse administer Moderna vaccines. The event was part of a larger “Shots for Shots” campaign in Louisiana to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations, Yahoo News reports . Customers at the Soji event said the convenience of it was key in their decision to get the shot.

As vaccine supply begins to outpace demand, meeting Americans where they are is crucial. Vaccines must be more accessible than a clinic in a far-off location, and, for many, it’s hard to navigate the patchwork of policies and websites to schedule an appointment even if you have internet access.

But businesses have the space, volunteers, and other resources necessary to host clinics, and larger companies are well-equipped to host in-house medical personnel to vaccinate their employees as they have done in the past with flu shots .

In a recent survey of employees , McKinsey & Company found that 83% of those surveyed said offering on-site vaccinations would increase the likelihood that they get the shot. “Employers are uniquely positioned to support vaccine adoption and could do so by … making vaccination as convenient and costless to employees as possible,” the consultancy notes.

A recent  KFF study  found nearly a quarter of Americans were more likely to get the vaccine if was available at their workplace.

Few states have prioritized workplaces in their distribution strategies, but employer vaccine clinics are the logical next step from more widespread vaccine adoption in America. Making it easier for businesses to protect the health of their employees and community members will get our country back to health.

This article was reposted from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Click here to view the original article.

Small Business Leaders Pledge to Become Vaccine Advocates to Help with Economic Recovery

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 15:54:25 GMT

Rhett Buttle, Founder of Public Private Strategies, discusses vaccine pledge spearheaded by Reimagine Main Street to mobilize small business leaders to become vaccination advocates.

Originally aired: April 16th, 2021

Small Business Leaders Need to Become Vaccine Evangelists

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 13:58:27 GMT

The Covid-19 pandemic impacted every industry of our nation's economy. Hardest hit were small businesses , especially in communities of color . Many have been forced to close and more are struggling to stay open. The only way to change this trend is by fully reopening the economy, and that cannot happen until enough Americans are vaccinated . The group that can be the most effective in this area is also the most impacted by the pandemic: small business owners.

Small business is the most trusted institution in the United States, according to Gallup, and represents more than 90% of all businesses in the country. Business ownership is also a proven path to addressing the racial wealth gap. Before the pandemic, 43% of small businesses were opened in low-wealth communities, creating jobs and income in these economically disadvantaged areas.

A completely reopened economy will allow businesses to operate at full capacity, bring normalcy back to communities, and reduce staffing issues caused by Covid-19 exposure and infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 70-85% of Americans need to receive the vaccine to achieve herd immunity. For that to happen as quickly as possible, more small business owners need to become vaccine champions, starting with themselves and their businesses.

Our organizations jointly fielded a survey this year of more than 3,300 U.S. small employers and found that 64% say it is very important that their employees get vaccinated. More than half have had formal conversations, including staff meetings and one-on-ones with employees, and more than 80% of respondents are willing to encourage and incentivize employees to get vaccinated. The survey also found that 80% of small business owners plan to get a vaccine, which is 10% higher than the overall public. While these numbers are encouraging, they also demonstrate why they can and should be higher.

With all of the misinformation that was purposefully or accidentally shared in the past year, it is understandable to be skeptical about the vaccine. Since employees often look to their employers for information, it is important to remind them that all FDA-authorized Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective. They will not alter one's DNA nor give people Covid-19 or cause them to test positive for it. Covid-19 vaccines are free, and people do not need insurance or money to get vaccinated or to worry about any co-payments, deductibles, or unexpected bills for receiving one.

Nobody has to take our word for this, either. Many agencies and organizations, including the CDC, have compiled easy-to-digest information packets discussing the safety and benefits of the vaccines.

If small business owners are willing to champion vaccines, they need to do at least two things: 1) get the vaccine when it is their turn, and 2) create a vaccine plan for their employees. A good vaccine plan aligns with state or local vaccine policies, is clearly communicated to employees, and includes incentives, such as paid time off for employees to get the shot(s) and recover from side effects if they occur. It should also follow the CDC's guidance on wearing masks and social distancing, even after all employees are vaccinated.

Small business owners who want to do more can encourage local community members to receive the vaccine. There are a number of ways to do this, ranging from helping reduce vaccine hesitancy among friends, family, and peers to spreading awareness or providing logistical support. This is not only good for the health of the community, but it will restore the confidence of people who will be comfortable going back to normal with a fully reopened Main Street.

It has been a hard year, but small businesses across America have banded together and come up with creative ways to stay afloat. With the country being so close to the end of the pandemic, the leadership of small businesses is needed to get us there faster.

Ron Busby Sr. is president and chief executive of the U.S. Black Chambers Inc. Ramiro A. Cavazos is president and chief executive of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Chiling Tong is president and chief executive of the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship. Rhett Buttle, founder of Public Private Strategies, served as national business adviser to the Biden campaign.

This piece originally appeared in Inc. on April 13, 2021.

Small Businesses Incentivize Employees To Get Covid-19 Vaccine To Reignite U.S. Economy

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 20:23:15 GMT

Just over a year into the pandemic, small businesses are still struggling to regain their footing. Just last week, the Senate offered a helping hand, voting to extend the $718 billion Paycheck Protection Program until May 31 . And as vaccination rates rise and Covid-19 restrictions ease, a return to normalcy seems within reach.

Before that can happen, though, small business owners will need to overcome another obstacle: getting their employees vaccinated. Many seem to be tackling it head on.

According to a recent survey of more than 3,300 small business owners by Reimagine Main Street, in partnership with the U.S. Black Chambers and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce , 64% of respondents say it’s very important that their employees get vaccinated. Moreover, 63% are willing to encourage and incentivize employees to get their shots. Close to half (45%) plan to motivate their workers to do so by giving them paid time off—for AAPI employers, that number is 53%.

“These are very difficult times for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, and we need to make it to the end of this pandemic so the recovery can begin,” says Chiling Tong, president and CEO of the National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship. “AAPI small business owners can lead this effort by championing the Covid-19 vaccines.”

“These are very difficult times for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, and we need to make it to the end of this pandemic so the recovery can begin.”

Chiling Tong, president and CEO of the National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between 70% and 85% of Americans will need to receive the vaccine for the country to achieve herd immunity. Then, and only then, can businesses fully reopen. When small businesses employ more than 60 million U.S. adults, or 18% of the population, according to the Small Business Association, they stand to play a significant role in getting the economy back on track.

It seems they’re up for the challenge: Nearly one in five (19%) intend to mandate that employees get the vaccine. Perhaps most importantly, 19% of Black business owners say they’ll pay workers bonuses for getting vaccinated. Such an incentive, says Ron Busby, president and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, won’t just benefit small businesses’ workers, but their communities, as well.

“We know the most important thing we can do to have people overcome vaccine hesitancy is to hear from trusted messengers like small businesses in their community.”

Kristina Schake, Counselor to U.S. Health & Human Services Secretary

“Given the leadership roles Black small business owners have in their communities, it is crucial that they champion the vaccine so communities can reopen and recover faster,” he says. “Employees often look to their employers for information so business owners have the potential to persuade many Black adults, especially young adults, to receive the vaccine.”

To further this effort, Reimagine Main Street has launched a nationwide vaccine education and outreach campaign with more than 400 small business owners and leaders.

In a public event announcing the initiative, Kristina Schake, counselor to the secretary of health and human services and the Biden administration’s lead for public education efforts said, “We know the most important thing we can do to have people overcome vaccine hesitancy is to hear from trusted messengers like small businesses in their community.”

This piece originally was posted in Forbes on April 7, 2021.

Reimagine Main Street Launches Initiative and Resources to Support Small Business Owners as Covid-19 Vaccine Leaders to Help Workers, Community, and U.S. Economy

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 13:53:13 GMT

On Tuesday, April 6, Reimagine Main Street (RMS) hosted a webinar to launch a public awareness initiative to support small business owners in being leaders with the Covid-19 vaccines with their employees and in their community. Reimagine Main Street was named as a founding member of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Community Corps program and was joined by a senior Administration official. The webinar emphasized why small businesses championing the vaccines is key in fully reopening the economy.

During the webinar, RMS also released results of a national survey of more than 3,300 small employers, heard from several diverse small business owners who are leaders on the vaccine, and launched an education and outreach effort (including tools and tip sheets for AAPI, Black, Latin(x), and Native small employers) to encourage more small business leaders to promote vaccinations for their workers and communities.

Check out to Reimagine Main Street’s Covid-19 vaccine resources and take the pledge to be SMALL BUSINESS VACCINE LEADERS with your employees and in your community. Small business owners can also access tip sheets in multiple languages for small business specifically targeted to demographics, including:

Black
Hispanic/Latin(x) in English and Spanish
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) in English , Simplified Chinese , Korean , and Vietnamese
LGBTQ
Native
Women

Small Business Owners: Covid-19 Vaccines are the Keys to Reopening Main Street

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 17:27:28 GMT

Small businesses fully reopening is critical to putting our economy on the path to recovery. The three Covid-19 vaccines authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will allow us to operate at increased capacity, reopen communities, and reduce staffing issues.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 70-85% of Americans need to receive the vaccine to achieve herd immunity and fully reopen the economy. As small business owners, we can play a critical role in making that happen as quickly as possible by championing the vaccine with our employees and in our community.

Small businesses are the backbone of the nation’s economy, and have large influence in America’s communities. We account for almost half of the country’s economic activity, two-thirds of new jobs, and employ more than half of all Americans. According to Gallup, small business is also the most trusted institution in the United States.

Vaccines are on the minds of most small employers and their employees according to a national survey conducted by Reimagine Main Street and its partners the U.S Black Chambers, Inc ., the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce , and National ACE . Other business organizations like the National LGBT Chamber , Women Impacting Public Policy , and the National Association of Women Business Owners are stepping up to educate their members. Read more insights about small businesses owners’ perceptions about the Covid-19 vaccines here.

To get our businesses and communities up and running as quickly as possible, we have pledged to be SMALL BUSINESS VACCINE LEADERS with our employees and in our communities. As part of our pledge, we commit to taking actions such as creating a vaccine plan for our employees and ourselves and assisting with vaccine promotion and distribution in our communities. To support your efforts, Reimagine Main Street compiled vaccine resources for small business owners , such as tip sheets and tools.

The sooner Main Street is able to fully reopen, the sooner our businesses and our economy will be on the road to recovery. We urge all small business owners to pledge to help bring us to that point. Become a Small Business Vaccine Leader today and sign the pledge.

Small Business Owners who have signed the pledge:

Patricia Bush, Sustainable Facilities Management Services, Ceo, Washington, Dc

Amy Baxter, Pain Care Labs (A Dba Of Mmj Labs), Ceo, Atlanta, Ga

Victoria Newman, Greenwich Education Group, Founder And President, Stamford, Ct

Willie Mallard, Gold Star Hvacr Llc, Owner, Madison, Wisconsin

Rachel-Yvonne Talton, Synergy, Ceo, Akron, Ohio

Temitope Toriola, Chaoticfox Llc, Owner, Phoenix, Az

Mark Olinger, "The Big Bear Group, Llc", Manager, Mount Vernon, Tx

Steven Held, Just Kids Early Childhood Learning Center, Executive Director, Middle Island, Ny

Jackie Hueftle, Kilter, Coo, Boulder, Co

B, Harvey Bconstrux, President/Ceo, Washington, Dc

Rama K Paruchuri, Datahash Llc, It, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Josh Lewin, Juliet + Company, Owner, Somerville, Ma

Elizabeth D Wilson, Georgia Micro Enterprise Network, Executive Director, Atlanta, Ga

Nancy Monacelli, Mama Monacelli's Kitchen, Owner, Dayton, Wa

Amanda Manigault, Amanda’s Art Of Cosmetology Institute, Ceo, Atlanta, Georgia

Mandy Sim, Jam Time, Business Owner, Maynard, Ma

Sheina Waddell, "Waddell Entertainment Consultants, Llc", President, Alexandria, Va

Uniquia Manigault, I Am Uniquia Co. - Uniquia’s Performing Arts Academy, Ceo, Union City, Georgia

Paula Fialkoff, E-Synergy Builders Llc, Ceo, North Las Vegas, Nevada

Michelle Moran, Litl Pond Hospitality Group, Owner, Blue Ridge, Georgia

Roderick Liptrot, "Alexander And Kennedy Financial Group, Llc", Managing Partner, Milton, Ga

Reginald "Swift, Ph.D", Rubix Ls, Founder & Ceo, Lawrence, Ma

Nicole Tribble, "Forever29, Llc", President, Fort Worth, Tx

Raquel Valdez Sanchez, Bcl Of Texas, Coo, Austin, Texas

Phillip Caldwell Ii, Resolute Educational Solutions, President, Detroit, Mi

Katharine Chestnut, Alkaloid Networks, Founder, Atlanta, Ga

Shantel Bacchus, Bacchus Insurance Group, Owner, Germantown, Wi

Rev Victor, Fakondo, Marie's Allied Health &Technical Institute, Executive Director, Somerset, New Jersey

Nikita Marshall, Kitas Crystal World, Owner, Geneva, Oh

Pamela Joiner, Municipal Market, Manager, Atlanta, Ga

Trevor Pearson, "Trevor Pearson Group, Inc.", President And Chief Executive Officer, Atlanta, Ga

Susan Glosby, Flex Office + Coworking, Founder, Springfield, Va

Quent Blodgett, Budget Blinds & Inspired Drapes Of Boise & Nampa, Owner, Meridian, Idaho

John Bridgeland, Civic, Founder And Ceo, Washington, Dc

Lee Rosenberg, Navigating Preparedness Associates, Managing Director, Lafayette, Ca

Alice Diamant, Fitwell, President & General Manager, Castroville, Tx

Harry Crawford, "Theophilus Operating Co., Llc", Managing Member, Houston, Tx

Lisa Smith, The Coaching Center For Mindtraining And Success, "Founder, Head Trainer And Coach", Virginia Beach, Virginia

Germano, Brandes, Acckr, Dr., Baltimore, Md

Martina Edwards, Access To Capital For Entrepreneurs, Chief Of Strategic Partnerships, Atlanta, Georgia

Kristine Brennan, "Brennan & Co, Llc", Owner, Queen Creek, Arizona

Shandra Stringer, Grassroots Consulting Inc, President, West Palm Beach, Florida

Lee Moultrie, "Lee H. Moultrie & Associates, Llc", Ceo, North Charleston, South Carolina

Tess Brunet, Lagniappe Records, Owner, Lafayette, Louisiana

Patricia Roberts, "Menlo Medical Mart, Inc.", President, Richmond, Ca

Mezaun Norman, Telefix Technologies Llc, Ceo/ Founder/Principal, Newark, Delaware

Deanne Giese, Meticulous Machining, Ceo, Wooster, Oh

Angela Davis, Park Place Premier Barber School, Owner, New Orleans, La

Marcia Duncan, "Ashmar International Technology, Inc", President, Lanhan, Md

Dene Peachey, Budget Blinds Cape Cod Co Owner, Mashpee, Massachusetts

Rachel Sigler, F45 Training East Nashville, Owner, Nashville, Tn

Linda Bessmer, "Muses3, Llc", "Managing Partner, President & Ceo", Houston, Tx

Stephen Yemm, Yemm & Hart Ltd, President, Marquand, Mo

Pamela Mcmichael, Trustworthy Staffing Solutions. Llc, President, Baltimore, Maryland

Birdie Curran, Feed The Birdies, Owner, Allen, Tx

Elise Jackson, Cruise Planners, Travel Specialist, Streamwood, Il

Adam Orman, L'oca D'oro, Co-Owner, Austin, Tx

David Changar, Royal Automation Supplies Corp., President, Bronx, New York

Tonya Gross, Shop Small Chicago, Operator, Chicago, Il

Stephanie Voss, Voss Violins Llc, President, Atlanta, Ga

Marsha Winstead, "Winrock Productions, Llc", Majority Member/Manager, Matthews, Nc

Sheila Boyington, Thinking Media - Learning Blade, Ceo, Chattanooga, Tn

Anita Brightman, A. Bright Idea Advertising And Pr, Ceo, Bel Air, Md

Rachel Schuster, Ewe & You Fiber Arts, Owner, Windsor, Ct

Annmarie O'shea, Amos & Advisors, President & Ceo, Maple Glen, Pennsylvania

Janelle Miley, Global Strategies Llc, Ceo, Fort Myers, Florida

Teresa Reis, Reis Services, Owner, Woburn, Ma

Angela Jenkins, "Spectrum Partners, Llc", Pres-Ceo, Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Christopher Centi, Centi Astro Space Activities, Ceo/Space Science Educator, Brocton, New York

Ny Whitaker, Project Nyne Production, Founder & Chief Strategist, New York, New York

Cindy Ramos -Davidson, El Paso Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce, Ceo, El Paso, Texas

Duncan Mcclellan, Duncan Mcclellan Gallery, Owner, St. Petersburg, Fl

Shayai Lucero, Earth & Sky Floral Designs, Owner And Floral Designer, Laguna, New Mexico

Reverend Sarah Garner, National Evangelist Ministries, President And Founder, Oakland, California

Prasad Somanna, "Innocom, Inc.", President, Ewing Township, Nj

Brandon Bentley Luxury Wash, Ceo, Austell, Georgia

Molly Bakewell Chamberlin, "Embassy Global, Llc", President & Principal Consultant, Hamburg, New York

Anthony Tripodo, East Coast Resources Llc, Managing Director, Miami Shores, Fl

Edmond Johnson, Premier Manufacturing, President, Longmont, Colorado

Terrence Payne, "Tmm Enterprises Group, Inc", Ceo, Los Angeles, Ca

Paul Musumba, Edu Prime Llc, Head Of Operations, Philadelphia, Pa

Mary-Ann Ortiz-Luis, Clarmil Manufacturing Corporation, President, Hayward, California

Lisa Apolinski, 3 Dog Write Inc., Ceo, Gilbert, Az

Beatriz Melo, "O Done, Llc (Dba) Proactive House", President & Founder, Long Island City, Ny

Paul Hollowell, Lux, Founder, Dallas, Tx

Conchie Fernández, Cf Creative, Managing Partner, Boca Raton, Florida

James Hock, The Home Collection - Charlotte's Boutique Furnished Residences, Ceo, Charlotte, Nc

Lenora Paige, Flower City Monitor Services Ltd., President, Rochester, New York

Chiling Tong, Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber Of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (National Ace), President And Ceo, Washington, Dc

Joshua Velasco, Joshua A Velasco, Owner, Duluth, Mn

Jon Kim, Pour Taproom, Owner/Operator, Atlanta, Georgia

Iesha Morgan, Taxstars Llc, Owner, Dearborn, Mi

Cynthia D'angelo, Armonk Center For Dance, Artistic Director, Armonk, Ny

Esmaeil Noori, New Air Inc., Ceo, Santa Clarita, Ca

Wayne Smith, Waynesmith&Associates, President/Ceo, Springfield, New Jersey

Jessica Castner, Castner Incorporated, President And Principal, Grand Island, New York

Ron Schmidt, The Planning Group, Owner/Founder, Portland, Or

Karyn Tareen, Geocove, Ceo, Amherst, New York

Vara Suresh, My Maids, Director, Orange Park, Fl

Deborah Smook, Turbofil Packaging Machines, Owner, Mount Vernon, Ny

Michelle O'grady, Team Friday, Ceo, Los Angeles, Ca

Ken Joy, Era Queen City Realty, Manager, Scotch Plains, New Jersey

Lisa Tillman, Regional Interfaith Association (Rifa), Executive Director, Jackson, Tennessee

Robert Terrell, District Logistics Llc, President, Washington, Dc

Kahley Malloy, Cumberland Recycling, Owner / Principal, Franklin, Tn

Linda Ruggiero, Willett Vacuum Of Larchmont, Owner, Larchmont, Ny

Kim Alfonso, Results One Llc, Ceo, Washington, Dc

Kimberly King, Kimberly A King Dds, Owner, Angleton, Texas

Ryan Buchanan, Noni's Bar & Deli, General Manager, Atlanta, Georgia

Gregory Pereira, "First Steps Urban Outreach, Inc.", President, Bronx, New York

Carolyn Campbell, "Studio Ccla, Llc", Principal, Philadelphia, Pa

Gerald Seals, Baby B.A.C.K. Inc., President & Ceo, Syracuse, New York

Anja Bump, Twofold Inc., Founder & Ceo, Portland, Oregon

Tim Jones, Act, Gm, Los Angeles, Ca

Heidi Hill Drum, Tahoe Prosperity Center, Ceo, Incline Village, Nevada

Mary Webber, L&R Human Resource Consulting, Owner & Ceo, Bossier City, La

Gerald Lee, "Advanced Communications Concepts, Inc.", President & Ceo, Augusta, Georgia

Sung Hyong, Our Bar Atl, Co-Owner, Atlanta, Georgia

Marcharie Chambliss, Phoenix Project; Community Development Foundation. Inc., Board Member, Fayette, Ms

Paulette Mcclain, Madame Paulette's Regal Services Llc, Regal Coordinator Manager, Tampa, Fl

Iesha Morgan, Taxstars Llc, Owner, Dearborn, Mi

Rhonda Stark, Orangetheory Fitness, Owner, Akron, Ohio

Anne Gordon, Live Life Travel, "Founder, Leisure Travel Advisor", Saratoga Springs, New York

Anissa Hemingway, Professional Hospice And Palliative Care, Ceo, Snellville, Georgia

Sebastian Swae, Anoloriya Llc, Principal, Grand Haven, Mi

Emily Peck, Clay Art Center, Executive Director, Port Chester, Ny

Oluwaseun Kudaisi, Victory Products Llc, President, Winter Haven, Florida

Michele Calloway, Exit Realty Quality Solutions, Managing Broker /Owner, Marietta, Ga

Mark Burdette, "Photomarque, Llc", "Owner, Photographer", Colleyville, Tx

Anne Hubatch, Helioterra Wines, Owner/Winemaker, "Portland, Or", Or

Carolina De Martino, Northland Professional, Owner, Heber, Utah

Joshua Velasco, Joshua A Velasco, Owner, Duluth, Mn

Karrye Braxton, "Global Business Solutions, Inc.", President & Ceo, Atlant, Ga

Luis Delahoz, Shccnj, Chairman Board Of Directors, Edison, Edison

Susan Ringey, "Doggie Play Zone, Inc", Owner, Ida, Michigan

Chris Wood, Paige Technologies, President, Overland Park, Ks

Christopher Tarantino, Epicenter Innovation, Ceo, Denver, Colorado

Martha Ehlman, Tenfold Fair Trade Collection, President, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Heidi Pickman, Cameo- California Association For Micro Enterprise Opportunity, "Vp, Policy And Programs", San Francisco, Ca

Maria Whittingham, Maria Luisa, Owner, Nyack, Ny

Pamelya Herndon, Kwh Law Center For Social Justice & Change, Ceo, Albuquerque, Nm

Doris Moore Bailey, "The African American Chamber Of Commerce Polk County, Inc.", President, Lakeland, Florida

Lisa Elstun, Fashion Design Center Denver, Ceo/Founder, Denver, Co

Gregory Pereira, "First Steps Urban Outreach, Inc.", President, Bronx, New York

Kevin Moore, Kevin Moore Construction, Owner, Philadelphia, Pa

Brock Blake, Lendio, Co-Founder / Ceo, Lehi, Utah

Kevin Perry, "Kap Insurance Agency, Llc", President, Raleigh, Nc

Madonna Long, Summit Services & Supplies, Owner, Kemmerer, Wy

Maria Molina, Solano, National Latina Business Women Association-Ie, Executive Director, Rancho Cucamonga, California

Gloria Sevilla, E & G Interiors Corp, Owner, Valley Stream, Ny

Cathedral St. Augustine's, Cathedral St. Augustine's, Administration, Washington, District Of Columbia

Oliverkhiowboong Heng, Mastrade Biotechnology/Enterprise, "Dr Heng, Ipm Ag.", Johor, Johor

Philip Mitrovich, Ptk Restorations Llc, Owner, New York, Ny

Hendy Bynoe, Ready's Transportation Enterprise Llc, Owner Operator, Troy, Ny

Stephanie Voss, Voss Violins Llc, President, Atlanta, Ga

Amy Dagliano, Rowan Tree, Owner, Herndon, Virginia

Sarah Baldwin, Bella Luna Toys, Owner/President, Rockland, Me

Monica Stynchula, "Reunioncare, Inc.", Ceo, Clearwater, Fl

Catherine Pera, Bison Scaffold & Masons Supply, President, Buffalo, Ny

Carolyn Carlson, Data-Clear, President, Arlington, Va

Roosvelt Simil, "Familegacy Enterprise, Llc D/Ba H&R Block", Franchisee, Forest Park, Ga

Rachel Eisenfeld, Elden Street Tea Shop, Owner, Herndon, Va

Paula C Fiscal, San Francisco Investment Development, Owner/Ceo, San Francisco, Ca

Geraldine Keogh, The Dessert Ladies, Owner, Stirling, New Jersey

Julia Hays, Hays Innovations, Vp, Toledo, Oh

Rohit Anand, Vision Fulfill Digital Consulting Llc, Founder, Austin, Texas

Patricia Fisher, "Janus Software, Inc. (D/B/A Janus Associates)", President & Ceo, Stamford, Ct

Kristin Horowitz, The Pad Climbing, Ceo, San Luis Obispo, Ca

Shawn Lord, Skies The Limit Academy, Co-Owner, Sterlling, Va

Sally Cole, Falls Church Chamber Of Commerce, Executive Director, Falls Church, Va

Ray Rico, "Ray Rico Freelance, Llc", Owner, Memphis, Tn

Paula Cassell, Long & Foster Real Estate Inc., Realtor, Washington, Dc

Noreen Wise, Gallant Gold Media, "Founder, Ceo & Managing Director ", Fairfax, Virginia

William Stone, Atlas Cafe Inc, Owner, San Francisco, Ca

Deborah Leiva, Little Daydreamers Learning Center, Director, New York, New York

Dorene Rivera, Dcg Media Group Llc, Ceo, Guttenberg, New Jersey

Bennie Hayden, Marketingforgreen Llc, Founder, Atlanta, Ga

Earl Brown, Ocm Advisory Group Llc, Managing Member, Montclair, Nj

Debi Hearn, Vickers And White Law Pllc, Office Manager, Montgomery, Al

Patricia Barnette, Barnette Enterprise Inc., Ceo, Leesburg, Fl

Tj Espinoza, Espinoza, The Fresh Lime, Owner, College Place, Washington

Thomas Jones, Aerospace Museum Of California, Executive Director, Mcclellan, Ca

Elizabeth Boucher-Jordan, Paws First, Owner, Edison, Nj

Star Greenwood, "Mayu Silk Art, Llc", Owner, Huntington Beach, California

Shawn Parker, Tokyomoto, Manager, San Francisco, Ca

Douglas Lezameta, Fusion Latina Network, Ceo, Walnut Creek, Ca

Tiffany Turner, Adrift Hospitality, Ceo, Long Beach, Washington

Di Tran, Louisville Institute Of Technology, Ceo, Louisville, Ky

Jennifer Masuda, Yu-Ai Kai Japanese American Community Service Center, Executive Director, San Jose, Ca

Wendy Fok, "We-Designs, Llc", Managing Partner, New York, New York

Andy Au, Andy Au And You! Entertainment, Ceo - Chief Entertainment Officer, South Pasadena, California

John Patu, Samoana Media Llc, Founder, Kaneohe, Hawaii

Christen Montero, Marketing Consultancy Agency, Founder, Riverside, Ca

Cecil Jack, Jack-Novicio Inc, Ceo, Sacramento, Ca

Jacqueline Tomlinson, Jacky Tomlinson Financial Services Advisor, President, Malibu, Ca

Hsiu Chang, "Formosa Investments, Llc", Owner, Bedford, New Hampshire

Barika Porter, Successfulbloom Llc, Founder And Ceo, Ashburn, Va

Natalie Butts, The Yellow Canary, Owner, Jackson, Tennessee

Salathaniel Brown, Brown's Rims & Tires, Owner, Greensboro, Nc

Karen Eng, Csmi, Ceo/President, Schaumburg, Illinois

Jonathan Wu, Privacywall, Co-Founder And Ceo, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Jean Stuart, Good Steward Cleaning Services Llc, Owner, Philadelphia, Pa

Dara Bortman, Exact Solar, Sr Vp Marketing/Sales, Yardley, Pa

Thomas, Choi, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, Sbdc Manager, Chicago, Il

Bob Goodman, Robert Goodman Jewelers, Owner, Zionsville, In

Giesila Mcguire, Binyard Specialty Cleaning, Owner, Omaha, Ne

Bryan Ramos, Ramos Law Firm, Attorney, Atlanta, Ga

Ryan Difranco, Difranco's, Owner, Denver, Co

Derrick Butler, Krisspi Technologies Inc, Ceo, Concord, Ca

Rafael Roger, Business Initiative Corporation Of Ny, Executive Director, Bronx, New York

Debra Goodier, "Ware River Consulting, Llc", President & Ceo, Ware Neck, Va

Angelique Sieverson, Assisted Living Locators, Owner, Thousand Oaks, Ca

Chung Chiu, Rei Zhen, Owner, Aurora, Colorado

Angela Cabrera, "Alegnatechnologies, Inc.", Founder/Ceo, Kennesaw, Ga

Rokando Barrero, The Box Gallery, Hispanic Small Business Owner, West Palm Beach, Florida

Sharon Byrd, Byrd Consultants Llc, President And Ceo, O’fallon, Illinois

Wanda Abbott, Weddings-By-Wanda, Owner, Greensboro, North Carolina

Mark Quinlan, Clear Medicare Options, President, Manchester, Connecticut

Brian Carmichael, Carmichael Consulting Llc, Owner, Oviedo, Fl

Alison Helleberg, "United Manufacturers, Inc. Dba Faris Gourmet Popcorn & Treats", "Vice President, Business Development", Fond Du Lac, Wi

Daniel Polonia, Danpo_Mkg@Outlook.Com, Owner, Piscataway, Nj

Mary Jordan Johnson, Ntrigue Custom Creations, Owner, Chicago, Illinois

Arlanzzia Willingham, Preztige Medical Transportation, Owner And Manager, Sterling Heights, Mi

Wayne Cameron, White Pine Chamber Of Commerce, Executive Director, Ely, Nevada

Laura Gimpelson, Lgee, President, Nashville, Tn

Arturo C Guevara, Us Ttg Llc, Business Owner, Coral Gables, Fl

Christine Jahan, Christine Jahan Designs, Interior Designer, Glendora, Ca

John Flemal, Urban Lift Salon, Owner, Chicago, Il

Lisa Omboni, Mainsource Realty, Owner/Broker, Dobbs Ferry, Ny

Tamisha Good, Concierge Healthcare Training Services & Consultants, Owner, Brandon, Florida

Terry Ruiz, A&M Design Print, Owner, Corona, Ca

Kip Pagach, Fairwater Associates, Principal, Norfolk, Va

Reginald Huff, 4 Sho Mobile Drug Testing, Ceo, Atlanta, Georgia

Vanessa Sterling, Desoto Chamber Of Commerce, President, Desoto, Texas

Mathurada Rath, Dr.May's Thai Kitchen Llc, Owner, Athens, Oh

Dina Wagner, Michigan Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce, Membership And Program Director, Canton, Mi

Herman Ortiz, Great Care Company, Owner, Denver, Co

Anna Garzzia, Collision Course Auto Body Inc., President, Reseda, Ca

Shante Roddy, Intuitive Risk Management Intl, Ceo, Cleveland, Oh

Rehana Gaffar, Ana Management, President, West Palm Beach, Florida

Sean Harrington, Aging In My Place Mobility Services Llc, Member, Waterford, Mi

Willie Clayborn, Clayborn Tax & Multiservices, Owner, San Diego, Ca

Mike Castro, Maria's Health Shoppe (Wilmington), Co-Owner, Wilmington, North Carolina

Mel Blain, Posh Cycling And Fitness, Owner, College Park, Maryland

Mina Markovic, Mina Markovic Energy Consulting, Energy Consultant, Colebrook, Ct

Dianne Jaggon, Dianne A Jaggon Pa, Owner, Ronkonkoma, New York

Bradley, Norman, "Br2vets Design Consulting Firm, Llc", Ceo, Nampa, Idaho

Heather Bauer, Council On Aging Of Buncombe County, Executive Director, Asheville, Nc

Nicholas Sicora, Disaster And Disability Consultants Llc, Ceo, North Brunswick, New Jersey

Sharons Ramos, Sharonscleanigservice, President, Martinsville, Va

Griselda P Oaxaca, Dyslexia Institutes Of America, Owner, El Paso, Texas

Marie Robinson, Nercher Older Adult Community Resource, President, Brunswick, Tn

Victor Ng, Clear Skies Title, Partner, Millburn, New Jersey

Laura Martin, Progressive Leadership Alliance Of Nevada, Executive Director, Las Vegas, Nv

Kurt Daurizio, 1748 Bakehouse, Owner, Jacksonville, Fl

Eva Hardrick, "Northside Community Involvement, Inc.", Executive Director, Jacksonville, Florida

Cecilia Zavala, Be Social Productions, Event Producer, Los Angeles, Ca

Patrick Mulvaney, B&L, Owner, Sacramento, Sacramento

Isza Aich, Absolute Dentistry Ltd., Dentist, Chicago, Illinois

Ervan Miller, Freedom House Development Group, Founder, Pompano Beach, Florida

Stacy Johnston, The Studio Seal Beach, Owner, Seal Beach, Ca

Sylvia Tucker, Salon~Derful, Owner, Memphis, Tn

Sam Matthews, Shepherd's Center Of Greater Winston-Salem, Executive Director, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Lina Kennedy, Alexandria Professional, President, Williamsville, Ny

Cynthia Ishikawa, Masa Fujioka & Associates, Managing Partner, Aiea, Hawaii

Jeneane Chirico, Annadale Family Pharmacy Inc., Owner, Staten Island, Ny

Jason Waskey, Blue Crab Strategies, Ceo, Washington, Dc

Kimberly Melo, Kimelo's Lc, Owner, Goose Creek, Sc

Dr. Purnima Voria, National Us India Chamber Of Commerce, Founder And Ceo, Denver, Colorado

Monique Smaller, "Lagrande Josiane Usa, Llc ", Director, Roswell, Ga

Michelle Tomallo, Fit Technologies, Chief People Officer, Cleveland, Oh

Nikesha Tilton, Ptr Global Solutions, Owner, Montgomery, Al

Janice Johnson, "Ultimate Coastal And Urban Properties, L.L.C.", Owner/Managet, Brunswick, Ga

Patricia Rosario, Unique Models And Marketing, Founder, Bronx, New York

Master Sergeant (Ret), Baisden, Southern Crescent Veterans Services Inc, Vice President Of Operations, Stockbridge, Georgia

Arnettia Wyre, "Omniquest Youth Empowerment Initiative, Inc.", Founder And Ceo, Washington, Dc

Jessica Li, Gnomedica Llc, Co-Founder, Magnolia, Tx

Masaru Torito, Kokoro Restaurant, Owner, Denver, Co

Giovanna Piovanetti, Cofecc/Lendreams, Executive President, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Kelley Styring, Styring Vineyards Llc, Co-Owner, Newberg, Or

Diane Crosby, Diane Ladylaw’s Professional Office Services, Founder/President, Peoria, Arizona

Judith Miller, "Miller & Associates, Llc", Ceo, Rochester, Ny

Sandra Seltz, Consider It Done Housecleaning, Owner, Las Vegas, Nv

Qianna Smith Bruneteau, American Influencer Council, Founder, New York, New York

Sharon Opoola, Real Connections Llc, Cno, Chicago, Illinois

Stacey Brown, Signarama Silver Spring, President, Silver Spring, Md

Britt Stillwell, The Compliance Firm, President, Los Angeles, Ca

Rosie Riddick, "Rbm&M Trucking, Llc", Owner, Brockton, Ma

Tammy Surratt, Morris, Lexington Souvenir Shoppe, Owner, Lexington, Nc

Julia Hays, Hays Innovations, Vp, Toledo, Oh

Anel Colina, Juicy-O Restaurant, Owner, Naperville, Illinois

Traci Thompson, Dr. Traci’s House Inc, Ceo And President, Tampa, Florida

Ade Macgregor, Ade Macgregor & Associates Co., Principal, Virginia Beach, Va

Vivina Ma, Vsm Consulting, Ceo, Mt. Prospect, Illinois

Tori Ponder-Brown, The Pilates Room & Antigravity Studio, Managing Partner, Ithaca, Ny

Lamar Heystek, "Asian, Inc.", President, San Francisco, Ca

Casey Gierke, Albugierke Environmental Solutions, Ceo, Albuquerque, Nm

Aysha Cooper, Mckinley Alliance Group, Owner, Snellville, Ga

Noreen Wise, Gallant Gold Media, "Founder, Ceo & Managing Director ", Fairfax, Virginia

Isabel Orellana, Montessori Outlet, General Manager, Pomona, Ca

Kimberlee Spillers, Rural Community Solutions, Co-Owner, Atlantic, LA

Cyndi Jarvison, Sbdc At Unm Gallup, Director, Gallup, New Mexico

Erin Clarkson, Savannah First-Timer's Guide, Owner, Savannah, Georgia

Rachel Averbuck, Birkenstock Village, Owner, Santa Rosa, Ca

Marsha Mclean, Grandmas2.0, Founder/Ceo, Newport News, Virginia

Lori Johnson, A Caring Heart, Ceo, St. Ann, Missouri

Walter Ordonez, Jw Goodson Salon, Owner, Long Beach, California

Jon Henry, Jon Henry General Store Llc, Owner, New Market, Va

Mary Jo Majerus, Healing Touch Spa, Owner, Rochester, Mn

Tawana Drakes, Distinctive Designs, Owner, Dayton, Ohio

Michelle Thibodeaux, The Connection, Co-Owner, Chicago, Il

Stephanie Stephens, "Stephens Insurance Services, Llc", Owner, Walterboro, Sc

Ernest Toribio, E&J Beauty Salon Nail Spa Corp, Owner, Bronx, Ny

Anne Zimmerman, Zimmerman & Co Cpas Inc, President, Cincinnati, Oh

Patricia Capasso, Royalfamily Eatz, Owner, Hampton, Va

Nguyet Howard, Skillful Touch Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, San Antonio, Texas

Rose Augustin, "Selest Health Center, Inc", President, Nmb, Fl

Dr. Deborah Sykes, Sykes Training Solutions, Director, Mcdonough, Ga

Lynn Altman, Brand Now, President, New York, Ny

Tawana Drakes, Distinctive Designs, Owner, Dayton, Ohio

Crystal Douglas, Crystal's Senior Services Llc, Founder / Owner / Ceo, San Bernardino, Ca

Tresa Chambers, "Tenth Muse Enterprises, Llc", Owner, Dallas, Tx

Annie Smith, Dillon County Boys And Girls Youth Center, Program Director, "Dillon, Sc 29536", South Carolina

Gabrielle Durana, Education Française Bay Area (Efba), Founder And Executive Director, San Francisco, Ca

Carla Nelson Chambers, "The Nelson Ideation Group, Llc", Managing Principal, Randalstown, Maryland

Tony Tovar, Sana Benefits, Head Of Community, Austin, Texas

Matt Mccolm, Suzie Health Solutions, Agent, Wenatchee, Wa

Carrie Davies, Geri Girl Bakery, Owner, Edinburgh, Indiana

Bradley Norman, "Br2vets Design Consulting Firm, Llc", Cea, Nampa, Idaho

Jonathan Cohen, Conrads College Gifts, President, Columbus, Oh

Michelle Taylor Frazier, "Multicultural Educational Programs, Inc.", Executive Director, Des Moines, Iowa

Melissa Graves, Funk Mechanical Llc, Managing Owner, Decatur, Ar

Judith Carter, Jac@Thewomenbrand.Com, Owner, Calumet City, Il

Sheila Rinehart, Larrys Appliance, Owner, Williamsburg, Va

Mike Englert, Eighty2degrees Llc, President, Washington, Dc

George Frost, Gw Frost & Associates, Owner & Principal Consultant, Renton, Wa

Carole Mapes, Flywheel Flowers, Owner, Brooks, Maine

Carmen Martinez, "The Local Development Corporation Of Crown Heights, Inc.", Outreach Coordinator, Brooklyn, New York

Deborah Rettino, Psalty's Kids Co, Co-Owner, Trabuco Canyon, Ca

Shimon Warden, Zebra Digital, Ceo, Albuquerque, Nm

Liz Yockel, The Fuzzy Bunny, Owner, Honeoye, Ny

Karen Mastroianni, Dimensions, President, Raleigh, North Carolina

Marie Quast, Jamie, Admin/Owner, Hackensack, New Jersey

Catherine Cudjoe, National Ghana Parade Council, President, Bronx, Ny

Darla Dukes-Johnson, Heavenly Hair, Owner, Hawthorne, California

Meg Donnelly, Nova Weekend Warriors, Owner | Licensed Massage Therapist, Herndon, Va

Emil Ranakusuma, Arcis Group, President/Ceo, Vienna, Va

Felicia Alvarez, Stat Training Solutions, Owner, Jacksonville, Fl

Miranda Scott, Cuddly Bear Child Development Center Llc, Owner, New Orleans, Louisiana

Patty Gentry-Young, Young Hair, Owner And Manager, Springfield, Oh

Vittoria Lattanzio, Lattanzio And De Ruvo Corp, President, Brooklyn, New York

Elizabeth Kimpel, Solo Caffe, Manager, Pensacola, Florida

Jenay Aiksnoras, Bliss Experiences Llc, Chief Experience Curator, Zephyr Cove, Nv

Kathea Edwards, Simmons Woodworks And More, Owner, Dublin, Ga

Michael Jonas, Rational Unicorn Legal Services, Owner + Principle Attorney, Portland, Oregon

Sonia Kery, "Safe Tech, Inc.", Ceo, Laurel, Maryland

Shawn Parker, Tokyomoto, Manager, San Francisco, Ca

Jacqueline Mays, Jacquie Oh’s Hair Salon, Founder, Washington, District Of Columbia

Nancy Bell, Global 1 Management Medical Group, Ceo, Aliso Viejo, California

Mario Burnias, Lift360, Ceo, San Jose, California

Linh Ton, Ageless Skincare, Owner, San Jose, Ca

Tavia Anderson, Living Hope Second Chance Llc, Ceo, Bloomington, Mn

Sebrina Brown, Girlfriends Tea, Ceo, Virginia Beach, Va

Daniel Turner, "Tcg, Inc.", President, Washington, Dc

Tori Ponder-Brown, The Pilates Room & Antigravity Studio, Managing Partner, Ithaca, Ny

Michaella Olavarri, Micas Kitchen, Owner/Cook, Vashon, Wa

Dominic And Sauntasha, Austin, The Crusty Bark, Owners, Roanoke, Virginia

Ken Joy, Era Queen City Realty, Manager, Scotch Plains, New Jersey

Camelia Moss, Camelias Candles, Owner, Lebanon, Oregon

Emily Frank, "Career Catalyst, Llc", Owner, Denver, Co

Barbara Boris, Woodstock Yoga Center, Owner & Instructor, Woodstock, Ny

Monica Fredrickson, Aspen Glade Yoga Therapy Llc, Owner, Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico

Yolanda Milton Comford, Comford Care, Owner, Adelanto, Ca

Sheila Rinehart, Larrys Appliance, Owner, Williamsburg, Va

Janice Hill, 2nd Chance, Ms, Las Vegas, Nv

Kim Stoot, What's Your Destination, Travel Designer, La Porte, Tx

Monica Love, Community Environmental Solutions, Ceo/Founder, Brooklyn Park, Mn

Katherine White, Badass Strategies, President, Annandale, Va

Isaac Kremer, Metuchen Downtown Alliance, Inc., Executive Director, Metuchen, NJ

Christie, Simon-Waterman, C & C Loving Heart Health Care Agency, CEO/OWNER, Perry Hall, Maryland

Kristi Martin, Highway 136 Consulting, Principal, Washington, DC

The Business Case for Vaccine Equity

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 18:46:56 GMT

No one should be surprised that America’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout system has produced sharp racial disparities in vaccination rates – the system has played upon existing inequalities from digital access, to quality of employment, to transportation access. Indeed, I would have flunked any of my graduate students had they failed to anticipate what was soon to occur. The positive news is that together with the business community, we can achieve vaccine equity in a way that gets us back on our feet for good.

Consider that in nearly all states, the first group to become eligible for shots after health care workers and those in nursing homes were those above the age of 65 – a group that is generally far more white than the younger Black and Latino workers who do the essential tasks which put them at risk. There is a rationale here – older individuals may be less exposed but they do face a higher probability of death from COVID-19. But let’s be honest: this is a system that is racially disparate in its impact if not its intention.

Also consider the main way you sign up for a dose of these life-saving vaccines. If you’re in the right occupational or age category, it’s equally open to all – provided you have a computer, high-speed internet, the technological sophistication to add an automatic refresher to your preferred browser, a job or a cushy retirement where it’s easy to check your display constantly, flexible employment that allows you to dash away when an appointment opens, and a car to either get to or drive through one of the mega pods.

By contrast, designing with vaccine equity (and not equality) in mind would have prioritized communities ravaged by COVID where workers are low-paid , lack access to insurance and housing is overcrowded. It would have rushed resources to those communities, paying less attention to high-profile stadium mega-sites and more attention to local neighborhoods. And it would have set standards of accountability that looked not just at delivering doses but also closing pre existing racial gaps.

Fortunately, a shift toward vaccine equity is beginning to emerge. In California, for example, the state has decided that it will temporarily set aside 40 percent of available vaccines for residents in areas facing the biggest economic and health challenges according to a metric called the California Healthy Places Index . The state has likewise been distributing more vaccines through community clinics and mobile pop-ups in poorer neighborhoods. Meanwhile, some employers have jumped in, particularly in agriculture , to provide shots to essential workers.

This is good for the workers and communities, of course, but vaccine equity is also good for business: You can’t sustain production when your employees fall ill or shy away from work because they fear that disease will follow them home to their beloved families.

Indeed, this is yet another instance in which the usual admonition of traditional economics – that equity must be bad for the economy – is, to use a particularly apt expression, dead wrong. Prioritizing those who are least advantaged and most affected by COVID will more quickly reduce the overall burden of disease. And this is not a one-off: Research has increasingly shown that both countries and metropolitan areas that are more equitable and, in the U.S. context, less racially segregated, are better able to sustain employment and business growth.

So what can the business community do that reflects this lesson of vaccine equity, and that doing good and doing well can go hand-in-hand?

First, become a strong advocate for vaccine equity in the U.S., pressuring state and local authorities to address disparities; if business adds its voice to the community, it will make a big difference in the politics. Second, take independent action by opening up employment sites for mobile clinics and mass vaccinations, particularly of essential workers. Third, advocate for international vaccine equity, recognizing that the global economy could lose over $9 trillion dollars -- 40 percent of it in advanced economies – unless developing countries can reboot their economies and their import demand.

But most important, carry the lessons of this COVID-19 era forward. We now know that our economy is only as viable as our public health system – but we have created a health system that leaves too many with inadequate access to care. We now know that our economy and markets are only as strong as the contributions made by essential workers – but we too often offer them low pay and little respect . We now know that when a crisis hits, the spirit of mutuality will get us through – but we have organized large parts of our economy as every person for themselves.

Vaccine equity is needed now but designing for racial and social equity and business-community collaboration must become part of the re-imagination and restructuring that can guide our long-term recovery.

This piece originally was posted on Triple Pundit on March 12, 2021.

Small Businesses Take Big Steps on Vaccination

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 22:10:26 GMT

Every day, small businesses are rebuilding our economy. After shouldering a disproportionate economic burden during the pandemic, small businesses have emerged as engines of American innovation that are reimagining Main Street for a post COVID-19 future.

But, we can’t get back to business until a large majority of Americans are vaccinated. Safe and effective vaccines offer the hope and protection we need to help our country and our economy reopen.

That’s why businesses across the country are encouraging vaccination. Small businesses can take big steps to help, building on their trusted relationships with employees, workers and customers to encourage all Americans to get vaccinated as soon as they can.

As a small business owner, here are 3 things you can do to strengthen the vaccine response in your community:

Make a pledge to get vaccinated, and share why vaccines are important to you.
Talk with your employees about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, and make sure to support workers who may have unique questions or concerns.
Make it easier for your workers to get vaccinated by offering paid time off, transportation credits, meal vouchers, or other support for scheduling vaccine appointments.

Small businesses across America have developed creative ways to encourage vaccination. Up-Down MKE , an arcade in Milwaukee, is giving twenty free game tokens to anyone who is vaccinated. Gadget Review , a technology publication, is giving employees who receive COVID-19 vaccines an extra week of paid vacation. The coalition “Save Philly Restaurants” is working directly with their local public health officials to help get their employees vaccinated. And, Cargo Transporters in North Carolina is hosting on-site vaccination clinics twice a week for their drivers.

The Health Action Alliance is proud to partner with Reimagine Main Street to help small businesses encourage vaccination and improve public health. We offer free tools and training to help small business owners support employees, communicate about vaccines, and engage communities that may need extra help accessing or scheduling vaccinate appointments.

Now is the time for decisive action. Let’s work together to turn the tide against COVID-19, rebuild our economy, and create a stronger, healthier future for everyone in America.

This post was written by special partner Stephen Massey , Managing Director, Health Action Alliance .

COVID-SB: Federal Resources for Small Business

rhett@publicprivatestrategies.com (Rhett Buttle) — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 00:11:23 GMT

Covid-SB.org: Federal Resources for Small Business

A platform that provides small businesses with access to a consolidation of COVID-19 related information and resources from multiple federal agencies. This site is developed through a partnership between the Association of Women Business Center and America’s SBDC and is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Small Business Owners can visit at: https://www.covid-sb.org/

A Call To Duty: Small Business Can Lead On Covid-19 Vaccinations And Help Bring Economy Back

rhett@publicprivatestrategies.com (Rhett Buttle) — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 20:18:59 GMT

A Call To Duty: Small Business Can Lead On Covid-19 Vaccinations And Help Bring Economy Back

T he rapid development of successful Covid-19 vaccines may be one of the most remarkable accomplishments in modern science. However, the Biden Administration faces what may be an even harder task in ensuring that an overwhelming majority of Americans take the vaccine. Today, it has launched a partnership opportunity with the private sector. America's large corporations will play an important role, but the real untapped resource is America’s small business owners.

Why?

Over 92 million people generate their livelihoods from small businesses as either an owner or an employee, representing more than one quarter of the US population. According to Gallup , small business is the most trusted institution in the United States, and Americans’ confidence in small business is nearly four times higher than larger corporations. Perhaps most importantly, small business owners -- and in particular business owners of color -- are a trusted voice to their workers and in their communities for people who just aren’t sure yet whether to get the shot.

With this type of reach and influence, it is critical that small businesses are supported and resourced in times of crisis. Logistical challenges in many states, pandemic fatigue, a history of racial injustice in medical care, and skepticism about the vaccine have caused some Americans to be reticent. Building our economy back better will require a rapid and far-reaching vaccination strategy, and Main Street can be a leader in this area.

President Biden’s call to action asks small businesses to adopt a mask policy, establish a vaccine plan for each of their employees, and amplify the importance and safety of the vaccine. If you are a small business owner, you can answer this call to action by being a leader in raising awareness and support for the Covid-19 vaccine. Here are three immediate steps to consider.

1. Educate Yourself and Help Your Employees Understand the Importance and Safety of the Covid-19 Vaccine: After more than a year of the pandemic, there are still confusion and misunderstanding about a virus that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 83 million Americans have acquired at some point. As a small business owner, you can help counter confusing messages by getting yourself up to speed and educating your employees on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and why it is important that they receive it. In doing so, do not make blanket statements about the science being definitive. Take the time to explain why the benefits of taking the vaccine abundantly outweigh the risks. If you can, create a space for conversation beyond “water cooler” talk, such as hosting a roundtable with your employees. The CDC has developed a Covid-19 Vaccine Resource Center to help inform these discussions.

2. Create a Covid-19 Vaccine Plan for Your Team: Unlike corporate America, few small business owners have a full-time human resources staff, and most have no help at all. Nevertheless, all businesses, big and small, need a vaccine plan. Whether you decide to encourage, incentivize, and/or mandate vaccinations depending on your industry, you should communicate that plan to your employees both verbally and in writing. If you intend to make vaccination mandatory, seek legal advice as you develop that plan. If you plan to incentivize receiving the vaccine, consider not only paid time off to get the shot, but also to recover from side effects if they occur. Another step you can take is to keep your employees apprised of updates on vaccine eligibility and where to register. The law firm Fisher Phillips has developed an employer resource center with vaccine policy templates that can assist with Covid, as well as during flu season. The CDC has co-developed a Vaccine Finder that can help you locate a vaccine site near you.

3. Become Ambassadors in Your Community: Once you have championed the vaccine in your business, you can become an ambassador in your community. Work with your local public health department and other government agencies to see how you can support efforts to maximize the distribution of the vaccine. In addition, you can encourage your local chamber of commerce or rotary club to host an educational conversation on this topic.

The sooner Main Street is able to fully reopen, the sooner our economy will be on the path to recovery. It’s up to the small business owners on Main Streets to help us get to that point faster by showing leadership in a safe and equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines.

This piece originally was posted in Forbes on February 26, 2021.

The White House Joins Reimagine Main Street Meeting

Sat, 27 Feb 2021 01:57:32 GMT

The White House Joins

Reimagine Main Street Meeting

On February 25, White House Senior Advisors Cedric Richmond and Andy Slavitt joined Reimagine Main Street’s monthly meeting to discuss the American Rescue Plan and the Biden Administration’s call to action for American businesses to combat the pandemic. Check out the below video of the conversation their presentations. You can join The White House's call to action. Learn more here.

Black Small Business Discussion with Senator Ben Cardin

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 14:35:59 GMT

Reimagine Main Street kicked off Black History Month by holding a discussion on the importance of black small businesses and what we can do to ensure equity prevails as the nation's economy recovers from the pandemic.

Speakers included:

Senator Ben Cardin, Incoming Chair to the U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League
Isiah Thomas, NBA Hall of Famer & Chairman/CEO, ISIAH International
Melissa Bradley, Managing Partner of 1863 Ventures
Ron Busby, President/CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC)
Rashad Robinson, President of Color Of Change
Renee Johnson, Public Private Strategies

This conversation was originally recorded on February 5th, 2021.

The numbers are dire. Congress must act now to save small businesses.

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 15:56:28 GMT

On Thursday, December 10, 2021, in a Washington Post op-ed, Ron Busby Sr., president and chief executive of the U.S. Black Chambers Inc. Ramiro A. Cavazos, president and chief executive of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Chiling Tong is president and chief executive of the Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship. Rhett Buttle, founder of Public Private Strategies, served as national business adviser to the Biden campaign, shared insights from the survey findings.

Small Business Policy Priorities in the Wake of the Election

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 23:52:37 GMT

Presented in partnership with Blavity.

Reimagine Main Street is a project of Public Private Strategies.

Panelists:

Marie Johns

CEO, PPC-Leftwich and former Deputy Administrator, SBA

Luz Urrutia

CEO, Accion Opportunity Fund

Jason Wiens

Policy Director at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Moderated by Maneet Ahuja

Senior Editor, Forbes

Reimagine Main Street at AfroTech

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 21:52:51 GMT

Presented in partnership with Blavity

Reimagine Main Street is a project of Public Private Strategies

Panelists:

Ron Busby

President & CEO, U.S. Black Chambers Inc.

Binta Niambi Brown

Founder, Omalilly Projects

Marcus Knight

Chief Growth Officer, Black with No Chaser

Adrienne Trimble

President & CEO, National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)

Moderator DeShuna Spencer

Founder, KweliTV

reimaginemainstreet

Inc. Magazine: Most Small Businesses Are Still Just Testing AI. They Could Be Leaving Gains on the Table

CNBC: Small business AI use is lagging, but one firm is channeling Sherlock Holmes and knocking out 'grunt work'

PayPal Newsroom: Small Businesses Are Ready for AI That Acts, Not Just Assists, New Report Finds

Merca 2.0: How are small businesses using generative AI?

Beyond Efficiency: Small Businesses Look to AI for Competitive Edge, New Survey Shows

Advancing to Strategic Applications

AI Is On The Verge of Widespread Small Business Adoption

Investing in America Creates Opportunities for Small Business & Entrepreneurs

Axios: SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ruling Will Reinforce Inequities, Impact Economy

STATEMENT: Supreme Court’s Ruling on Affirmative Action Will Have Ripple Effect on Diverse Businesses and Our Economy

RMS & U.S. Department of Commerce Announce New Collaboration to Educate Business Owners on New Federal Economic Investments & Pilot Strategies to Accelerate “Good Jobs”

Reimagine Main Street Statement on CFPB Rule Strengthening Data Transparency in Small Business Lending

Tammy Halevy Statement on SBA Women's Business Summit

Reimagine Main Street Statement on Labor Secretary Nomination

Announcing New Project To Advance Good Jobs Among Small Employers, with Gates Foundation Support

Statement from Diverse Small Business Advocates Ahead of Vice President Harris’ Trip to North Carolina to Discuss Small Business Growth

Creating Good Jobs: Perspectives from Small Employers - Event Recap and Recording

Trust and Access to Capital Event Recap and Recording

Reimagine Main Street Praises Nomination of Don Cravins to Lead Minority Business Development Agency

Allies Praise Biden-Harris Administration Expansion of SBA’s Community Advantage Pilot Program Targeting Access to Capital for Underserved Entrepreneurs

Corporate Commitments to Support Entrepreneurs of Color Event Recap and Recording

Reimagine Main Street Encouraged by the Administration’s Announcement To Reform The Federal Contracting Process To Increase Equity For Business Owners of Color

The bipartisan infrastructure bill is a great start. Small-business owners of color need more

Finance & Equity Event Recap and Recording

3 Ways to Get Minority-Led Small Companies Back to Business

SBA Launches “Getting Back on Track: Help Is Here” Webinar Series to Help America’s Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs

6 Tips To Grow Your Small Business In The Second Half Of 2021

Health Action Alliance hosting National Rural Business Summit on COVID-19 Vaccines on June 3

Reimagine Main Street Releases New Survey, Hosts Senior Government & Business Leaders to Share Insights to Get Main Street Back To Business

﻿ NEW Survey Finds Diverse Small Businesses Most Optimistic But Signs of Recovery Not Equally Distributed

Small Businesses Host Vaccine Clinics to Speed Up Shots

Small Business Leaders Pledge to Become Vaccine Advocates to Help with Economic Recovery

Small Business Leaders Need to Become Vaccine Evangelists

Small Businesses Incentivize Employees To Get Covid-19 Vaccine To Reignite U.S. Economy

Reimagine Main Street Launches Initiative and Resources to Support Small Business Owners as Covid-19 Vaccine Leaders to Help Workers, Community, and U.S. Economy

Small Business Owners: Covid-19 Vaccines are the Keys to Reopening Main Street

The Business Case for Vaccine Equity

Small Businesses Take Big Steps on Vaccination

COVID-SB: Federal Resources for Small Business

Covid-SB.org: Federal Resources for Small Business

A Call To Duty: Small Business Can Lead On Covid-19 Vaccinations And Help Bring Economy Back

A Call To Duty: Small Business Can Lead On Covid-19 Vaccinations And Help Bring Economy Back

The White House Joins Reimagine Main Street Meeting

The White House Joins

Reimagine Main Street Meeting

Black Small Business Discussion with Senator Ben Cardin

The numbers are dire. Congress must act now to save small businesses.

Small Business Policy Priorities in the Wake of the Election

Reimagine Main Street at AfroTech

NEW Survey Finds Diverse Small Businesses Most Optimistic But Signs of Recovery Not Equally Distributed