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Director's Corner:
Reflection from Tasha,
Executive Director
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January has been off to a great start for us at the Urban League's Women's Business Center. We began the year with a Business Bootcamp and with a "back by popular demand" 5-part series on Business Planning. We are excited for 2021, and the possibilities that await us.
We have our first cohort of 30+ participants in our new curriculum, Ready! Set! Launch! This is a 12-Week Business Training Program which takes the business owner on a journey from "You as the Leader" to "Business Knowledge" to "Operational Soundness" to "Driving Revenue." We have several guest speakers and partners involved in providing the owners with a holistic experience as they take off for the finish line. We are grateful for all of those who have a vested interest in empowering our business owners, and we look forward to a successful group.
If you are interested in volunteer opportunities, please feel free to reach out. Small business owners are critical to the fabric of our country's success, so your partnership is appreciated!
Let's get Ready! Set! and Launch!
- Tasha Pettis-Bonds
Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Women’s Business Center
Executive Director
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Contact us with any questions!
Keep reading below for more info on our special February programs, recurring events, and other updates!
Follow our social media pages this month for special posts celebrating
Black History Month!
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Our Ready! Set! Launch! 12-Week Small Business Training Program started this week with over 30 participants. Did you miss registration? We will be launching another class this fall, so stay tuned! Contact us if you would like to be added to the Fall Class Waiting List: wbcinfo@urbanleague-stl.org
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New Virtual Workshop in partnership with
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri!
Have you ever asked yourself if you should be a sole proprietor or an LLC? Get expert insight from one of our legal partners at LSEM about business organizational types and top things to know. This is one of our FAQs!
Register today for this hot topic for new business owners.
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Wed, Feb 10, 2021 11:00 AM CST
Types of Businesses 101 Virtual Workshop
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More New Workshops!
Do you want insight on improving the Client Experience & Client Retention in your business, or on an authentic and inspiring
Marketing Strategy? Get expert insight from our business growth and marketing experts about maximizing your business success
with capacity limits in mind. Check out our two new workshops below!
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Wed, Feb 24, 2021 10:00 AM CST
The Client Experience & Client Retention Virtual Workshop
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Wed, Feb 24, 2021 9:00 AM CST
Marketing Your Business Virtual Workshop
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Tue, Feb 9, 2021 1:00 PM CST
Office Hours With a Banker - Midwest Bank
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Wed, Feb 10, 2021 1:00 PM CST
Wealth Wednesday with Prosperity Connection
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Tue, Feb 16, 2021 5:00 PM CST
Legal Clinic
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Wed, Feb 17, 2021 1:00 PM CST
Office Hours with CIBC
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Wed, Feb 24, 2021 1:00 PM CST
Wealth Wednesday with Prosperity Connection
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We are launching an Alumni Association! If you are an alumni of any of our past programs (Grace Hill or Urban League WBC), please fill out this virtual interest form! |
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NEW SBA UPDATES:
Read on below for SBA COVID-19 Resources & PPP Updates
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COVID-19 FUNDING OPTIONS PORTAL
Overview
As U.S. small businesses continue the hard work of economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to capital is paramount. For some companies and non-profits, they have exhausted their existing funding sources to sustain their operations. There are many unique funding resources available through Federal, state, and local governments in addition to philanthropy and non-profit organizations. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for businesses to know where to look or what to look for in finding additional assistance. Click here to access this mobile-friendly, new resource.
WHAT IT IS: A free, curated list of thousands of funding sources at the national, state, regional, and local levels designed to support small businesses in accessing capital to recover from COVID-19. The opening page captures programs that are available nationally. Visitors then only need to enter a ZIP code of interest to see which programs their area may be eligible. The information is current as of the date of publication, so resource availability may change over time.
Funding providers can submit requested updates, additions, or corrections to the data by emailing the information to econrecovery@sba.gov for evaluation and update.
WHAT IT IS NOT: An endorsement by the U.S. Small Business Administration that individuals or small businesses should pursue applications with any of these organizations. The information is provided for reference only. Businesses and non-profits are encouraged to independently explore these resources to self-determine if they should pursue further assistance from the programs identified.
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Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Update – Saturday, January 23, 2021
SBA, in continuing established communications messaging , provides the following:
SBA is receiving a significant number of questions from lenders regarding the revised rules on First Draw PPP loans, First Draw Loan Increases, Second Draw PPP loans, and streamlined Forgiveness. SBA wants to assure all participants and their small business customers that we understand that there are many changes that businesses have undergone since the beginning of the pandemic in order to maintain operations and continue employing America’s workers. These changes may include entity size, location or staffing, methods of operation, organizational structure, and changes in ownership. SBA is working with national lender trade associations and stakeholder groups along with lenders to identify these potential program and system updates. Your partnership, commitment, input and patience greatly assist in this effort.
SBA is providing this information along with recently released additional PPP guidance and resources. To assist lenders in how to best access PPP as amended by the Economic Aid Act, here are a couple of reminders related to existing program guidance:
Reminder – First Draw PPP Loans Under Review May Be Delayed Getting Second Draw PPP Loan number
As described in SBA’s interim final rule on SBA Loan Review Procedures and Related Borrower and Lender Responsibilities, SBA may review any PPP loan, of any size, at any time, as the Administrator deems appropriate. If a borrower’s First Draw PPP Loan is under review by SBA for any reason, including if information in SBA’s possession indicates that the borrower may have been ineligible for the First Draw PPP Loan it received or for the loan amount it received, the lender will receive notification from SBA when the lender submits an application for a guaranty of a Second Draw PPP Loan, and will not receive an SBA loan number until the issue related to the unresolved borrower’s First Draw PPP Loan is resolved. SBA is working to improve the information provided to lenders about the issues and how lenders can help clear issues as expeditiously as possible.
Reminder - Second Draw loan applications require an SBA loan number used for the First Draw PPP loan that was originated in 2020. Please verify that the applicant has the correct SBA loan number, and the correct Borrower TIN to assure that the portal can match up the two loans.
Recent Guidance Issued:
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Stay connected to us as we rebrand! Our new website will launch later this month, so stay tuned for the official release!
We love hearing from you! Our social media platforms and email are now under our new name, but our website is still in transition!
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Stay connected to us as we rebrand! Our new website will launch later this month, so stay tuned for the official release!
We love hearing from you! Our social media platforms and email are now under our new name, but our website is still in transition!
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