Greetings all,
We hope this email finds you and yours well and safe.
The situation and crisis we find ourselves in is rapidly changing and unsettling, as you all know. That said, the NAWBO-CA board and admin team continue to monitor daily developments locally, nationally and internationally. We watch not only the healthcare situation, but how it’s affecting our WBOs. We also are tracking on resources at all levels of government to assist you in not only keeping your doors open, but in order to thrive, if at all possible.
By now you should be seeing our weekly emails of resources, links, and information. They come out early each week, and are also posted on
our website here
.
Please bookmark and come back often. We know you are likely getting inundated with emails and webinars. We are working to ease that burden on you by sifting through all that clutter to find the solutions and resources that will help you the most.
Given the current quarantine directives, NAWBO-CA has postponed our 2020 Propel. It won’t be May 4 & 5. You should have received an email about this, too. We are coming up with an alternative plan. Look for an official announcement soon in your inboxes and on the NAWBO Propel website.
We in NAWBO-CA leadership are so appreciative of your shared enthusiasm for NAWBO and our #NAWBOcommunity. Thank you for your support and understanding as we navigate this challenging situation and do what we can to support you.
Now for the impact the virus may have on our businesses — see below for the quick survey I’d mentioned would be headed your way in my letter last month. It will be helpful to know as we advocate on behalf of all of our members how this crisis is impacting you and your businesses, so thanking you in advance for responding.
Advocacy
Our Advocacy committee under Moreen Lane and with our Legislative Advisor Lori Kammerer continues to fight the good fight on behalf of all of us. See their update below.
Opportunities
The 2 latest loan and grant opportunities are below. Make time to apply as soon as you can. Let us know if you’ve any questions.
1) Bank of America PPP Application
BofA has changed up the qualifications for the PPP. The qualification is less stringent now: to be eligible, you must have a Small Business lending and Small Business checking relationship with Bank of America as of February 15, 2020
OR
have a Small Business checking account that was opened no later than February 15, 2020 and do not have a business credit or borrowing relationship with another bank.
2) From Sara Blakely, Spanks founder, a grant opportunity:
Last Friday she announced that she’ll be giving $5 million dollars to help female entrepreneurs. Her hope is that this gift will directly impact the families and employees of these businesses and provide some immediate relief during this time. The application process opened at 12pm EST today, April 6. The $5 million dollars will be distributed to 1,000 women who will each receive $5,000 in funding. As Sara wrote: “being an entrepreneur is brave in and of itself — let alone when you are against a global crisis. I want to champion these women by giving them the support they deserve.
Spanx
and I are rooting for you.
”
Here’s the link
to apply.
As always, stay brilliant, successful, and supportive of your #NAWBOcommunty colleagues. We are #TogetherApart and WILL get through this.
Hilary Lentini
- President, NAWBO-CA
- Past President, NAWBO-LA
- Founder & Creative Director, Lentini Design & Marketing, Inc.; DBE, WBE, SBE, SB, SLB, EBE, VSBE
- Governor-Appointed Board Member, California Workforce Development Board
