Small Business Noticias January 2022

PPP Loans Funded Across U.S.

RDF was proud to support small businesses with PPP loans in 20 states across the US.

New Years Message to Small Business Owners

By: Francisca Montoya, RDF’s Director of Community Development & Special Projects

As we pause and reflect on the struggles and lessons of 2021, with supply chain issues, inflation and worker shortages, there are some bright spots in the economy. Many businesses rebounded and welcomed customers back, and some even pivoted and embraced the digital world. Your business started and ended the year with quite different sets of goals, challenges, and experiences in this “new normal” environment. While running a business during this unprecedented pandemic has not been ideal, you have gained survival skills that have made your business stronger.

We join you in welcoming a new beginning as we embrace the new year in 2022. It is time to think about making resolutions. Resolutions are about being intentional about how you want to grow and develop your business to achieve the results you desire. This intentionality contributes to your fulfillment as you move forward with a clear direction. It is about being hopeful and optimistic, which tends to motivate action and can inspire those around you. The act of making resolutions and striving towards them will have positive effects on you and your business.

What do you resolve to do in 2022 for your business? Here are a few ideas to help guide your thinking as you begin to plan. Keep in mind the pandemic has taught us the importance of being flexible and adaptable in the approach to our work:

Make financial projections for 2022
Refresh your marketing plan
Look for opportunities for automation
Build a website
Explore financing options
Use more technology in your business
Review sales targets
Build your brand

The Small Business Initiatives team at Raza Development Fund sends your business best wishes for a happy and prosperous new year.

New Year Business Strategies

By: Tanairí Ochoa-Martínez and Mayra Vargas-Rodriguez, RDF’s Consultants

Small business owners often wear different hats making it is easy to forget about planning strategies for your business growth. The start of a new year is a great time to take stock of where your business currently stands and turn your attention to the future. What are your business goals for the year to come, and what kind of planning do you need to do to get there? Below are a few strategies that can help make the next 12 months more profitable, successful, and productive for your business.

In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operational needs of your business, it is also important to identify the areas you want to focus on in the first quarter of 2022. Investing time and resources in these areas will help you scale and develop your business.

Start by selecting three “Focus Areas” for your business in the first quarter of this new year. Potential Focus Areas may be:

Increase marketing
Improve sales
Apply for a loan
Hire additional employees
Begin to plan for expansion to a new location

It is generally preferable to select three Focus Areas for the quarter; however, in some cases, having only one or two Focus Areas may be best. Remember, three months goes by fast. If you spread your company too thin, you may take on too much work and not have time to accomplish your goals. Instead, it may be better to concentrate completing a few key chunks that produce value for your company.

The next step toward any strategic plan is to spell out in concrete terms what you’d like to accomplish this year in 2022. Be specific. For example, I want to increase online sales by 5% each quarter. At the end of the first quarter, re-evaluate and adjust to a new goal for the second quarter of 2022.

Taking time to plan for your business is as important as overseeing the day-to-day operations of your company and are essential to achieving success and growth.

Small Business Grant and Loan Opportunities in the City of Phoenix and Maricopa County

By: Cesar Verduzco, RDF’s Co-Director of Small Business Initiatives

CITY OF PHOENIX GRANT

The City of Phoenix has allocated funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) to help micro and small businesses affected by the pandemic’s economic impact.

Businesses may be eligible to receive grants for up to $15,000. The grant funds can be used for any business expense categorized by the Internal Revenue Service as a “deductible expense.” In the past, grant recipients have used these funds to pay for rent/mortgage, payroll, insurance, inventory, and utilities among other expenses.

Eligibility Requirements:

Micro and small businesses with 25 or fewer employees.
Must operate a physical/mobile location in Phoenix and have been open one year prior to submitting a grant application.
Gross sales less than $3 million.
Gross sales declined by at least 25% as a result of COVID-19 when comparing any month since March 2021 with the same month in 2020 or 2019.

Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2022, or unless all grant funds are awarded prior to this deadline. Free application assistance is available to eligible applicants from local partner, Local First Arizona. Please contact their office at: 602-777-7636 or via email at phoenixgrants@localfirstaz.com.

Apply or learn more at: https://www.phoenix.gov/phxbizgrants

MARICOPA COUNTY LOAN OPPORTUNITY

The Maricopa County Resilience Program is providing access to capital and personalized business counseling. The Maricopa County Resilience Program loans range from $10,000 to $100,000 with a 1% interest rate. The 5-year loans are intended for working capital, payroll, utilities, and business expansion expenses.

Businesses will be required to provide necessary financial documentation and complete the underwriting process; approval is not guaranteed.

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be located in Maricopa County

Fewer than 50 full-time employees
Less than $5 million annual revenue

Apply or learn more at: https://www.prestamosloans.org/mcloans/