Types of Under-Served Communities We Support
Under-served communities are people who share a common social, racial, or political disadvantage in society. These groups struggle to kickstart businesses due to a lack of funding, education, and resources.
For example, African-Americans experience oppression in the business world. That is why it’s up to a free business resourcing organization, such as Start Small Think Big, to level the playing field!
The underserved communities we serve include:
Black-Owned Businesses
There has been an 8% increase in Black-owned businesses from 2018 to 2019. This shows that under-served communities are beginning to invest in long-term careers. The majority of these businesses are focused on health care and social assistance.
Latinx-Owned Businesses
With over 4.65 million Latinx-owned businesses, this community has one of the fastest-growing crowds in U.S small businesses. The sectors with the highest growth include technology, construction, food, and real estate.
Women Businesses
Women leaving their households to become business owners have resulted in a variety of success stories! With free business resources, these under-served communities have great accomplishments.
LGBTQIA Businesses
LGBTQIA business owners struggle to start their brand without help. We must increase visibility for the LGBTQIA community; this will work to include them as business professionals and entrepreneurs.
Veteran-Owned Businesses
Veterans are considered natural-born leaders, making them ideal business owners. Experience in the U.S armed forces benefit veterans by giving them all the skills needed to run a business. However, when you’re lacking funding, may wonder where to turn to.
Our Resources to Help Small Business Owners
Under-served communities do not have access to the same business resources as majority communities. These communities tend to have tight networks and readily available funding. Under-served communities have to sacrifice a lot more when beginning a business.
Start Small Think Big is a non-profit organization that specializes in helping smaller communities. The majority of our small business resources focus on the following:
- Marketing Support, such as digital marketing, social media, and brand assessment
- Legal Services, by helping with contracts, commercial leases, entity selection, etc.
- Finance Consulting, such as offering financial management, growth projections, and financial planning
These focuses allow companies to develop business valuation resources to help communities make progress. But it doesn’t stop there! Along with specific support, our resource experts will offer:
Project-Based Assistance
Do you already have a business idea in mind? Are you putting it in the works as we speak? Don’t feel like you have to do it alone, especially when you have free business resources at your disposal.
With project-based assistance, you and a team are working toward your goal. You don’t have to worry about getting off track. Not only that but you’re offered one-on-one consultations to make sure your voice is heard.
Virtual Workshops
Webinars and virtual events are going to be your best friend when operating a small business. You aren’t going to have as much free time, so the internet is going to be your next best guide.
Attend virtual events that will only cost you a single click on a link. For instance, Start Small Think Big lists upcoming events so you can learn all the fundamentals of running a small business. You’ll learn from other successful business owners, as well as ask questions that aren’t easily answered through research.
Business Training and Communities
Owning a business is no easy feat, so you should always be open to learning. The best way to learn is to not only train through small business resources but also build community engagement. Network with fellow business communities so you can expand your connections!
Grants We Recommend to Help Small Businesses
Other forms of free business resources include grants, whether federal or state. Grants help pay for supplies, employees, rent, or any components needed for a small business. Most grants are categorized through their eligibility, target geography, and target group.
A few example grants for under-served communities are:
- Cocokind Impact Foundation: a national grant for female entrepreneurs
- Invoice2Go: a grant for under-served businesses, including business development workshops and networking opportunities
The K4 Foundation: a national grant for women of color entrepreneurs
Other grants act as relief aid for the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, Erie County Industrial Development Agency’s COVID-19 Disaster Relief and NYC Small Business Resilience Grant are both COVID-19-based grants.
Grants are great for free funding, but they are also a way to spread your name and gain a network. Many grants for under-served businesses offer more than money. They want you to succeed, so you’ll find grants that offer other opportunities such as workshops or business events.
Don’t Spend a Dime With Our Free Business Resources!
It’s hard to manage a brand by yourself, but that’s why free business resources exist. Under-served communities aren’t given equal opportunities as others. Our job is to level the playing field and make sure you know the ins and outs of entrepreneurship.
Need free business resources as a small business? We are all for small, so get in touch with our team.
