When local and federal governments work together, the benefits can be game-changing for entrepreneurs. Joining us on the latest episode of the SBA Update to talk about that and an upcoming Small Business Town Hall is SBA Regional Administrator Allen Thomas and Mayor Leonardo Williams of Durham, NC.
Key Takeaways
1. Alan Thomas emphasizes the importance of alignment between local, state, and federal governments in providing seamless support and resources to small businesses.
2. Both Thomas and Williams highlight the SBA’s growing influence and how its resources are reaching more entrepreneurs than ever through CDFIs and partnerships with local communities.
3. A series of town halls, including an upcoming one in Durham, North Carolina, are creating open platforms where entrepreneurs can directly engage with SBA officials and local leaders to access vital resources.
4. The interview sheds light on the record growth of minority-owned businesses, particularly Black and Latino entrepreneurs, facilitated by SBA initiatives, especially during heritage months.
5. Mayor Williams underscores the resilience required in small business ownership, sharing personal stories of his entrepreneurial journey and the SBA’s significant role in his success.
“You know, when you're looking for something online, and people say, just Google it, well, what the SBA has done is made it so easy just to ask—'Have you called the SBA?’” - Mayor Leonardo Williams
