Business assistance

The Agenda for California’s Entrepreneurs

Small Business Majority is enacting a comprehensive state policy agenda to ensure entrepreneurship is recognized as the lifeforce of a thriving and inclusive economy in California. Our state’s 4.2 million small businesses employ 7.4 million people, which amounts to nearly half of the private workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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The Agenda for Illinois’ Entrepreneurs

Small Business Majority’s Illinois policy agenda outlines policies that advance and promote equitable pathways for entrepreneurship while ensuring small businesses are key to a thriving and inclusive economy. The state’s 1.2 million small businesses employ 2.5 million people (about 45% of the private workforce), with firms of fewer than 20 employees creating the largest net job gains.  Yet, Illinois small businesses continue to face setbacks stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Unleashing untapped talent: How these North Carolina small business owners are spreading the word about the benefits of inclusivity

Sisters Lakila Bowden and Kamille Richardson are reframing disability and disproving myths that providing accommodations for differently abled employees is expensive and burdensome to businesses through their consulting company, iSee Technologies

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Small Business Speaks: Two Days in Washington with Small Business Majority

On September 26 and 27, Small Business Majority hosted an advocacy fly-in event, “Small Business Speaks: Two Days in Washington with Small Business Majority.” Nearly 30 entrepreneurs from the organization’s national and state Small Business Councils attended the event to build community and ensure that federal policymakers heard the true voice of small business.

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Shop Inland Empire Pop-Up Market

On July 29, Small Business Majority co-hosted the Shop Inland Empire Pop-Up Market with the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce in San Bernardino, Calif. Pop-up markets are a unique and emerging venue for hopeful entrepreneurs to launch their small business dreams. As commercial rent costs continue to rise and workforce shortages pose challenges to small businesses, pop-up spaces and marketplaces offer a low-cost entry point for small business owners to test their products and market their business to community members. 

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Pocket Guide: Equity to Reduce the Racial Wealth Gap

This pocket guide is for use by policy advocates, lawmakers, and program administrators to review whether a proposed policy or program advances equity, specifically racial equity, to help reduce the racial wealth gap. Prioritizing racial equity creates inclusive economic prosperity, especially for economically and socially disadvantaged individuals, families, and small businesses in underserved areas affected by systemic oppression. 

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Investing in Chicago’s Small Businesses: Recommendations for Business Growth and Job Creation in Underserved Neighborhoods

Additionally, as part of the Chicago Inclusive Growth Coalition, Small Business Majority convened stakeholders and small business owners in different industries to address solutions for growth, job creation and economic development. Small Business Majority led workgroups in the development of a report to provide recommendations in the industries of construction, transportation and delivery, food and beverage service, manufacturing, and the creative industries in the City of Chicago.

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Inclusive Growth Toolkit for Business Service Organizations

Small Business Majority facilitates ecosystem building work by co-directing the Chicago Inclusive Growth Coalition (CIGC) alongside Allies for Community Business (formerly known as Accion in Illinois and Northwest Indiana). As part of this work, Small Business Majority facilitates impact measurement for local business assistance providers and reviews policy efforts and program investments to improve small business services in underserved neighborhoods.

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