We get to the heart and soul of entrepreneurs,
connect them with resources to grow their businesses and teach them how to balance work, life and play!
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Happy WMBE Monday on Wednesday!
We hope that everyone had a great weekend, stayed safe and well! Kevin and Kecia spent quality time with family and friends. We even got to spend some time with Kevin’s brother Steven who was in town from California! Most importantly, we hope that everyone voted!
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Last week, Kecia, Kevin and the Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. team helped many Minority and Women Business Enterprises(MWBEs) navigate their way through the government and non-profit procurement process to find grants, loans and or contracts so they could stay in business!
2020 has been a very challenging year for employees, small businesses, corporations and non-profits! Small businesses, of all races, employ many people and are rooted in their communities. The longer that they stay in business as profitable businesses, the more they can contribute to the local economy.
Kecia and Kevin carried on their civic engagement efforts this weekend, reminding everyone, especially entrepreneurs, that no matter how big or small the size of their company, their voice matters. Their issues matter! Their opinions matter! Black Lives Matter! Black Families Matter! Everyone must vote like their life matters, because it does!
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Kecia’s parents, Obie and Leroy, ignited the fire in her to be a community advocate. Her father was a district leader in Mt. Vernon, NY. Her mother was an active member of the PTA. They both taught her to treat others as she would like to be treated. They stressed the importance of education as a “key” to opportunities. They passed along to her a true sense of black history including reminders of all the illegal obstacles that black folks had to endure to gain the right to vote! Many black folks died so that we can have the right to vote. Freedom isn’t free sometimes!
Kevin’s parents, Tom and Andrea, also instilled in him these values, in addition to always try to do the right thing and become an active member in his community. Kevin mother works tirelessly, every day, as a public servant making a profound difference in the lives of all New York State residents as NYS Senate Majority Leader!
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We are proud of our mother/mother-in-law, NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins in her historical position and congratulate her on her winning her seat in the New York Senate once again! In her first year as Senate Majority Leader, she led the most productive legislative session in state history. She has been widely recognized as a trailblazer in local and state government and champion for progressive action. In 2012, she became the first woman, and African American woman, to lead a New York State legislative conference. In 2019, she shattered the glass ceiling when her peers elected her as Temporary President and Majority Leader of the State Senate.
Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins oversaw the passage of historic and transformative legislation on issues including voting reforms, gun safety, women’s rights and health care, immigration and DREAMers, the LGBTQ
community, the justices system, and sexual harassment in the workplace. Additionally, the Senate Majority under her leadership passed the most comprehensive and aggressive climate change legislation in the nation,
and the strongest tenant protections and affordable housing package in state history.
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In 2019, New York joined more than three dozen other states that allowed voters to cast ballots early. Both houses of the State Legislature passed the Early Voting Bill that established a nine-day early voting period before any primary, general or special election. |
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This was among seven election reforms that state lawmakers approved in the first week of Democratic control in the state Senate and Assembly.
Kevin and I were truly appreciative, as were thousands of other early voters, of the opportunity to vote early. Another great example of what can happen when the people speak up about what’s important to them, i.e. early voting, and the politicians do the right thing and give the people what they want.
“Government should be about breaking down barriers, which is why the Senate Democratic Majority is making it easier for those who are eligible to vote,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said in statement. “We need more voices in our democracy, not fewer.”
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NYS Majority Leader State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins continues to make history. City and State selected her as #1 on their The 2020 Women’s Power 100 List. (Women who have risen in the Empire State.)
Women are on the rise in New York politics. New York women have been elected to top posts in the state Legislature and in Congress, serve as the state’s top attorney and oversee the state’s court system. While the governor and New York City’s mayor are men, both are surrounded by influential female advisers who are shaping the direction of the state.
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What’s more, women are increasingly represented in leading positions in business, health care, education, media, nonprofits and advocacy. In fact, there are so many qualified female leaders that we had a difficult time capping this power list at 100 – which explains the many entries featuring two, three or even four people doing similar work or in similar fields. And as you read through the 2020 Women’s Power 100, you’ll find that every single individual on this list is truly exceptional.
We are proud that our mother/mother-in-law, NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins continues to lead the way empowering so many others along the way. May her light continue to shine bright and remain a beacon of hope for so many! She shows up every day, not just on election day! Congratulations from the Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. Family!
Andrea Stewart-Cousins ( New York State Senate ) The first woman to lead the state Senate, Andrea Stewart-Cousins has a long track record of breaking through glass ceilings. As the leader of the state Legislature’s upper house since January 2019, Stewart-Cousins has spearheaded sweeping policy changes, including a climate change law, bail reforms and a statewide ban on police chokeholds. Plus, her conference may have a veto-proof super-majority next year.
We wish her much success in her new term as NYS Senator representing Senate District 35 which includes all of Greenburgh, Scarsdale and portions of Yonkers, White Plains and New Rochelle.
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FREE FINANCIAL RESOURCES
In case you missed last week’s MWBE Mondays, below are a few “free financial resources” that MWBEs and small business owners can apply for to help them get through these challenging times. We’ve got your back!
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EXPERIENCE WORKS PROGRAM
Get your laid off and furloughed employees salaries paid for this month through December 30, 2020! This includes your seasonal and consultants/contractors as well!
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CARES ACT FUNDING Provides Immediate Assistance to Employers to Help:
- Bring back laid off/furloughed employees
- Hire new employees
- Relieve the burden of payroll expenses!
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The City of Peekskill Microenterprise Program is made possible through a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant from the New York State Office of Homes and Community Renewal.
Through the program, the City of Peekskill is able to award $5,000 to $35,000 grants to private, for-profit businesses, located within the City of Peekskill. Priority will be given to those projects that are business start-ups and are located in the area identified as the City's Downtown Revitalization Target Area. The Target Area consists of the downtown Central Business District and the Waterfront/Transit Oriented Development District, linked by the Central Avenue/McGregory Brook corridor.
Eligible uses of Microenterprise Program funds include working capital grants for the purchase of inventory, procurement of machinery, furniture and equipment, operating capital, and reimbursement of the cost to attend the required entrepreneurial training program.
For additional information and application, click on the links below.
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APPLY FOR SMALL BUSINESS FINANCIAL RELIEF! |
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As temperatures drop and the days get shorter, restaurants are facing an entirely new set of challenges. In response, DoorDash is providing $5,000 grants to small businesses selected through an application process in select cities across the US. The grants are part of DoorDash’s Main Street Strong initiative to help restaurants recover and succeed amidst COVID-19 related challenges. The $5,000 in grants will also help offset the costs for outdoor heating.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must have 3 stores or fewer currently operating
- Must have $3M or less in 2019 annual revenue per store
- Must employ 50 people or fewer per store
Full details for DoorDash's Local Restaurant Grants Program can be found HERE.
*Applications are available until November 6th, 2020*
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SBA and Treasury Announce Simpler PPP Forgiveness for Loans of $50,000 or Less
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. This action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
SBA and Treasury have eased the burden on PPP lenders, allowing lenders to process forgiveness applications more swiftly. SBA began approving PPP forgiveness applications and remitting forgiveness payments to PPP lenders for PPP borrowers on this month. SBA will continue to process all PPP forgiveness applications in an expeditious manner.
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New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF) is a economic recovery loan program aimed at supporting New York City & State small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords as they reopen after the COVID-19.
Applications for the New York Forward Loan Fund are Open for All Phase Industries!
For assistance with this loan program, please contact the New York Women's Chamber at assistance@nywcc.org
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COVID-19 RELIEF FUND APPLICATION
The Fund is Accepting Applications From Organizations on a ROLLING BASIS for Immediate response grants in the following priority areas:
- Serves vulnerable populations including low-income children and families, low-wage workers, individuals and families who are homeless and immigrant communities.
- Provides or will expand services to include emergency assistance (e.g. food, shelter, and other basic needs)
- At risk for gaps in government contracts due to interruption of services
- Incurred unexpected expenses (e.g. overtime pay, technology)
- Track record with administering emergency cash grants to individuals and families
Robin Hood will only fund 501(c)(3) organizations providing services in New York City.
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10 YEARS OF CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
For the last 10 years, New York State has been Building Businesses Better through its state-of-the-art capacity building programs designed to lead MWBEs to new contract opportunities with the State’s 97 agencies and authorities and the private sector. NYS Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has created transformative economic development achievements for the State across all market and service sectors including construction, architecture, engineering, transportation, healthcare, housing, telecommunications, financial and professional services, information technology, energy and more.
Moving forward, a new vision will unfold at the 10th Anniversary of the 2020 NYS MWBE Forum, through a new live, semi-live and on demand virtual platform that will offer you programs and strategies for Building Businesses Better than ever before.
Over a three-day virtual event experience, the 2020 NYS MWBE Forum will help you Prepare, Identify and Connect with new project opportunities.
Day 1: Wednesday, December 2, 2020: Prepare for Opportunities
Day 2: Thursday, December 3, 2020: Identify New Opportunities
Day 3: Friday, December 4, 2020: Connect with Opportunities
SPECIAL INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC PROGRAM PLANNER
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Happy MWBE Monday to everyone! The Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. team truly appreciates your continued support!
Have a safe and great week! Stay connected with us so you stay connected! Follow us on our social media! We will get through 2020 together!
Sincerely,
Kecia and Kevin
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Contact Kecia with questions about
starting or growing your business!
At Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc. we bring dreams to life with heart and soul! Like a trusted friend and confidante, our personal project managers tap into their vivid imaginations, hearts and souls to analyze clients’ projects, processes and people training. Stop suffering in silence! Rent our brainpower and we will connect you with the resources and technical assistance to address your needs and build your business.
Entrepreneurs and non-profits constantly juggle projects and their own self-care. Breathe! We can relate! We are small business owners who have survived and thrived by collaborating with a “think tank” of other socially conscious businesses/community partners! Our work life balance trainers help clients project manage their busy lives and get to the heart and soul of their business and their life! We help clients execute well so they can escape back to what makes them feel great! Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc….the ”just ask us” therapists! You talk, we listen. We share, we collaborate, You breathe!
Our services include:
- Business Management Consulting Services
- Life Coaching
- MWBE Consulting/Prepare NYC/NYS MWBE Certification Applications
- Public Speaking
- Project Management
- Training
- Career Preparation
- Customer Service
- Entrepreneurship
- Leadership
- Networking
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Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc.,
a Certified NYC & NYS Minority Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE)
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Kecia Palmer-Cousins, MBA
Aero-Ba-Soul, Inc.
Office: 914.737.7237
Cell: 914.512.4373
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