"Being positive in a negative situation is not naïve. It’s leadership." – Ralph Marston
|
|
From America's SBDC Iowa State Director
|
Earlier this morning, I was on a zoom call with over a dozen student entrepreneurs. I absolutely love doing those conversations, the Q&A and especially the energy that you can feel from their spirit and ideas. During the call, there were three of us talking about financing (I know, not your typically riveting topic) and we were asked about what would one of the key takeaways that we should leave the students with as they prepare pitches and their business plans. I thought for a bit then said, “Always talk in a positive manner. No matter what state you are in or what troubles you are facing, always leave your audience with the positive words and thoughts.” I remember having a college professor once say, “If you had 19 good things happen in a day and one bad thing, what do most people lead with that evening at the dinner table – that’s right, the bad thing.” I wanted to make sure that these budding entrepreneurs knew that being positive and keeping an outwardly facing positive message was key. You never want stakeholders or your competitors to latch on to the negative. It is too impossible to erase the damage from the negative. Every situation has another side and while it may take us an EXTREMELY long time to get to that side, we must always keep focused on where we are headed and not dwell on the negative. We will find the other side, so keep making those positive statements to help those around you through the storm of today. We will get Iowa #Back2Biz – I challenge you to stay the course of being positive and help others along the way.
-Lisa Shimkat
|
|
Know someone that wants to subscribe to our daily update?
Have them text
iowasbdc
to
22828
.
|
|
U.S. Small Business Administration Updates
|
|
Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program
Becoming certified for the WOSB Federal Contracting Program means your business is eligible to compete for contracts that are set aside for WOSBs and economically disadvantaged WOSBs and sole-source federal contracts within eligible industries. New WOSB Federal Contracting Program regulations were published in the Federal Register on May 11, 2020, detailing changes to the certification process.
July 30th at 12pm
|
|
SBA Provided $20 Billion to Small Businesses and Non-Profits Through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance Program
Saturday,
the U.S. Small Business Administration announced the conclusion and success of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance program, which provided U.S. small businesses, non-profits and agricultural businesses a total of $20 billion in emergency funding. In order to assist the greatest number of small businesses, the EIDL Advance provided $1,000 per employee up to a maximum of $10,000. Recipients did not have to be approved for a loan to receive the Advance, and the Advance provided an interim but vital source of funds while applicants awaited a decision on their loan application.
|
|
Still Open for Business: Working with Minority-Owned
Rural Firms through the Pandemic
Racially and ethnically diverse populations comprise 21 percent of rural America—but produced 83 percent of its growth between 2000 and 2010, a trend that has continued since. Along with that, enterprising Latinx, Black and Indigenous entrepreneurs are launching businesses bringing new life to many rural communities – and creating better livelihoods for their owners and employees. But what has happened to these firms during the COVID-19 crisis? And how are rural development organizations adapting what they do to help these firms to get through the emergency and recover?
Wednesday, July 22nd at 1:30pm
|
|
Iowa's Downtown Rebound Webinar Series
Foster community … from a distance by attending this online webinar series for historic and commercial district revitalization professionals and volunteers. Understand the economic reality in Iowa today, and gain useful tools to help businesses and communities rebound from the COVID-19 crisis.
July 28-29
|
|
USDA Small Business Innovation Workshop
The USDA SBIR program offers competitively awarded grants up to $100,000 to qualified small businesses to support the growth of research and ideas into products and services that could lead to significant public benefit in agriculture and community development.
Session 3: Thursday, July 16th, 5pm - 7:30pm
|
|
How to Support Minority-Owned Business by
Creating a Supplier Diversity Program
Join us for a unique event with a nationally acclaimed speaker Kathey Porter, who will share with us a broad overview of Supplier Diversity, advantages to your business, how to successfully launch a Supplier Diversity Program to gain competitive advantage for your business and tangible takeaways to help you get started.
Thursday, July 30 at 1pm
|
|
How to Sell the Federal Government - A Webinar for Veteran-Owned Businesses
Veteran-owned small businesses looking to expand their customer base through government contracting are invited to attend a Webinar on how to sell to the federal government.
Wednesday, August 12 at 12pm
To Join Audio Only, call
+1 515-207-8914
and use Conference ID:759 332 952#
|
|
IEDA Opening Trade: Global Options for Iowa
9:00 – 9:45 am on dates listed below:
July 22 – South Africa
|
|
USPTO Invention-Con 2020
At Invention-Con 2020, you’ll have the chance to:
- Hear from keynote speaker Sam Zaid, CEO and founder of Getaround
- Learn from experts how to use your IP successfully as an inventor or entrepreneur
- Discover helpful resources available to you at the national, state, and local levels
- Hear about IP strategies vital to any innovator
- Learn about IP networks
August 20-22, 2020
|
|
For more information, visit our America's SBDC Iowa COVID-19 page.
|
|
|
|
Funded in part through a
Cooperative Agreement with the
|
|
|
|
|
|
|