Event Series to Help Entrepreneurs Access Financing to Grow Their Small Businesses

Van Nuys, Calif.—VEDC and small business advocacy group Small Business Majority have launched a new national partnership to help connect entrepreneurs with education and resources to help to secure the funding needed for their small businesses' start-up and growth. The partnership will launch in Los Angeles through a series of in-person and online educational seminars about responsible small business financing.

The workshop series will provide an overview of alternative lending options and will connect entrepreneurs with business counselors, financial advisors and local organizations dedicated to supporting small businesses. The workshops will also include information for women and minority-owned businesses about the unique challenges they face when accessing capital.

"At VEDC we strongly believe that a combination of education, access to capital and partnerships with local workforce and business assistance agencies are critical to entrepreneurial success," said Roberto Barragan, president and CEO of VEDC. "The success of small businesses and the creation of jobs is the key ingredient in developing healthy and sustainable communities. Our partnership with Small Business Majority will allow VEDC to advance our mission while promoting small business success through both direct access to capital and education."

Access to capital has been a persistent problem for entrepreneurs, particularly since the recession. In fact, Small Business Majority's opinion polling found that an overwhelming 90 percent of small business owners nationwide identify access to capital as a problem. While some parts of the business community have found it easier to secure capital, there are significant gaps in critical areas, such as minority and rural communities, as well as for groups of entrepreneurs like women and veterans.

"One of the biggest challenges facing small business owners and entrepreneurs has been and continues to be the inability to access sufficient credit and capital," said Rhea Aguinaldo, Small Business Majority's Manager of Entrepreneurship. "For entrepreneurs, getting a loan could mean the difference between success and failure, whether it's used for renovation, purchasing equipment or working capital. Securing funding might feel like an uphill battle, but the truth is there are more funding options than ever before. This new partnership and events series will help entrepreneurs understand these funding options and provide them the tools they need to make the best decisions for their small business.

Entrepreneurs will be invited to explore Small Business Majority's new online resource portal, which provides an overview of potential funding options for small businesses, including the U.S. Small Business Administration's loan programs, community banks and credit unions, microloans, crowdfunding and alternative online lenders. The resource portal also provides information on how to connect with reputable agencies and organizations that can help entrepreneurs navigate the funding landscape.

The first workshop will be held on Monday, November 16, 2015, at the VEDC headquarters located at 5121 Van Nuys Blvd. 2^nd floor in Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.

Small business owners can register here: http://a2c-vedc-sbm.eventbrite.com.

To schedule an interview with a representative from Small Business Majority or speak to a small business about access to capital, contact Kelsey Bye at [email protected] or (202) 289-0957.