Small Business Newsletter
A Message From Our President
As spring begins, we look forward to the warmer and brighter days ahead. With people finally stepping out after two years, we hope for an even more robust economy in the months to come.

While many small businesses face the challenges that inflation and increased gas prices have brought, UCEDC continues to offer help. Whether you need a 0% Crisis Relief Loan, FREE (virtual) training workshops, or government contract counseling services, we are here to support you.

We encourage you to join us in celebrating Women's History Month by reading about some of the incredible women UCEDC has been honored to call our clients and check out our FREE upcoming workshops listed at the bottom of this email, to see how we can help your small business succeed.

Stay safe and healthy!
Adam
Celebrating Women's History
At UCEDC, we have had the pleasure of working with so many talented and successful small businesswomen. In honor of Women's History Month, we thought we'd share some of their stories with you. Click on the names below to read more.

Dr. Rebecca Mercuri, owner of Notable Software is a leading expert in computer voting systems. Her work was so groundbreaking that back in 1985, years before just about everyone had a home computer, she had to convince academics that computer security was going to be a big deal. In fact, when she proposed it as the subject of her thesis, it was rejected. Undeterred, Dr. Mercuri has since become a forensic computing expert and has often been called as a witness to offer her knowledge and insight on a wide range of civil, municipal, and criminal cases.
Djenaba Johnson-Jones started Hudson Kitchen in Kearny, NJ after a layoff from her corporate job as a Marketing Executive pushed her to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. When she faced challenges in making her dreams a reality due to a lack of accessible commercial kitchen space, she pivoted and realized a new opportunity.
Djenaba created Hudson Kitchen, a membership-based commercial kitchen that enables other entrepreneurs to run their own successful food-based businesses. In addition to offering a space for small businesses to get off the ground, she has also hosted many workshops and classes that empower and educate entrepreneurs in need of guidance.
Liz Sanchez turned her challenge as a mother into a small business plan and created I Excel Childcare to meet the needs of working parents throughout her community in Perth Amboy, NJ. Her model of offering transportation between local schools and her childcare center was so successful that she needed a working capital loan to scale up immediately. She now runs multiple childcare centers and even has a program where the children who once attended I Excel can get their first job experience working for the center.
Catherine La Vecchia started working on the business plan for her exclusive membership-based barbershop at only 26 years old. At 27, she opened the doors to Presidents Club Barber Shop in Milburn, NJ. Empowered by her youth and inspired by her entrepreneurial step-father, she gave herself five years to make it or break it. With a couple of years left before her deadline and after having survived the most challenging parts of the pandemic, it's clear that she's already succeeded in small business.
Take Advantage of UCEDC's
0% Crisis Relief Loan Program While Funds Last!
The Crisis Relief Loan Program is designed to provide broad access to much-needed working capital. Small business owners can borrow up to $15,000 at 0% for up to five years with no collateral requirements. The program features a quick turnaround (after completing the application requirements), no pre-payment penalties, and no processing or application fees.

Eligibility Requirements Include:
  • Businesses operating at least two years and with a minimum credit score of 660 are eligible to apply for up to $15,000 
  • Businesses operating prior to 3/21/20 but less than two years, or with a credit score between 630-659 are eligible to apply for up to $10,000
  • No loan or credit card charge–offs within 3 years
  • Business must be located in New Jersey
  • Not eligible if you have already received a loan under this specific UCEDC program (which launched in August 2021)

For more information on the Crisis Relief Loan program and access the prequalification application click here.
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Don't Miss UCEDC's
2021 Annual Highlights

The client stories, impact statistics, and milestones depicted in the 2021 Annual Highlights celebrate the work done over the last year to help keep our local economies thriving. It illustrates the resiliency of the small business community and pays tribute to the triumphs of entrepreneurship.

Click on the cover to read more and be inspired!
Upcoming Live Webinars
May 3, 2022 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

May 17, 2022 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

May 19, 2022 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Don't Miss Your Chance to Win $100 from UCEDC
Say goodbye to winter and hello to spring with $100 from UCEDC! Click the Facebook icon at the bottom of this page and like UCEDC by April 1st for your chance to WIN $100!

If you're already following us, simply click the Facebook icon below to be entered for your chance to win!