The economy is rebounding… Yet business confidence is still
not on par, and this hesitancy prevents the full recovery that all are awaiting. But amidst all of this paralysis, there’s a
group of entrepreneurs that are bucking the trends: The Hispanic business owner. Truly innovative and soundly optimistic, so
much so that Hispanics are establishing businesses at 3 times the rate of the
national average based on data from the Pew Research Center.
My expectation is that this number will increase as more
Latinos leverage the resources provided by agencies like the US Small Business
Administration, from the loan guarantees to the bonding insurance and
export/import assistance. Particularly
now that Maria Contreras-Sweet has been sworn in as the Secretary for the SBA,
who founded ProAmerica Bank, a Community bank based in LA and was herself an
entrepreneur. Launching the Contreras-Sweet
Company, she has lived, struggled, risen to the opportunities.
Her experiences will certainly shape the course the SBA in
the upcoming years and as former Chairman of the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of commerce,
serving the 40,000 Hispanic businesses in the region, my hope is to see many
more programs geared towards minority business enterprises, primarily
Hispanics. There is a tremendous need
for:
Ø
Education,
financial literacy – What do I need to do to establish my business the
right way? Insurance? Licensing requirements? Clearly this data is available on the website
and thru pamphlets. More is needed,
delivered in a grassroots fashion. Outreach
efforts would be more effective with a local chamber of commerce distribution
strategy reaching many more entrepreneurs.
Ø
Accessible
Funding Sources Legitimate and competitively priced. Obviously great programs already exist but
are hindered by regulatory constraints placed on lending partners. A secret of the banking industry is that the
SBA has not modified its underwriting standards, reduced cash flow requirements
or adjusted the declining-revenue trend guideline, even though these past years
have pummeled businesses. TODAY, these
businesses need the concessionary SBA guarantees that will mitigate the risks
in the eyes of the lenders. Lenders undoubtedly
must maintain a quality portfolio of loans, after all they are lending out my
own money & my abuela’s hard earned savings. Plus regulators are perpetually monitoring
the portfolios for any poor performance.
How about a Loan Fund administered AND FUNDED by the SBA for
borrowers that wouldn’t qualify for traditional loans? Modified underwriting
guidelines, parameters to accommodate damaged credit history, low or negative
cash flow, lack of collateral. Plainly
understanding that this is an economic investment in creating viable &
sustainable employers. Micro loan programs administered thru state or nonprofit
agencies are not wide-reaching and the duplicative expenses across the country
are simply a sad waste of resources.
Ø
Certification
& Procurement Support- with the Federal Government being the
biggest contractor in the US, Hispanic businesses can benefit tremendously from
8(a), Hub zone, Women-owned and all the other certifications available. Simplifying the process and continuing to
provide support during the application process is a MUST.
Ø
Reciprocity-
A coup for Contreras-Sweet would be to finally create a reciprocity system for
all certifying agencies. Imagine this: Cool & Associates LLC is a Minority Business Enterprise in the eyes
of Baltimore County, the State of Maryland AND the US Government with ONE
application. Just ONE! And if we wish to dream and dream BIG, let
the same certification be acceptable to the Private Sector companies that focus
on Supplier Diversity. Who is with me?
Based on Mrs. Contreras-Sweet’s track record with the US
Census, CA Transportation Agency and ProAmerica Bank she has a wealth of
expertise to successfully re-launch the SBA as the economic vehicle that can
not only stabilize the American economy but begin the era of prosperity,
especially for Hispanic Businesses.
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Veronica Cool is the
founder of Cool & Associates LLC, a business management firm specializing
in financial wellness & effective diverse segment marketing. A Social Entrepreneur hailing from the
Dominican Republic with over 20 years of commercial banking experience, she can
be reached at veronica@coolassociatesllc.com or via Twitter @verocool .