SBA, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Launch Hispanic Pilot Program

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SBA, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Launch Hispanic Pilot Program

NFIB My Business Magazine Special Report: HISPANIC BUSINESSES –  NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013

Program provides access to capital and business guidance to entrepreneurs

In September 2012, the two organizations launched the pilot program to expand the SBA’s outreach efforts within local chambers and to connect Hispanic entrepreneurs with lenders and business counselors. The initiative fills the need for a program that specifically targets Hispanics, who aren’t always comfortable seeking loans, says Natalia Olson-Urtecho, SBA regional administrator for the mid-Atlantic region.

“We Hispanic entrepreneurs prefer to fund our ventures ourselves and within our own family,” says Olson-Urtecho, who is also an entrepreneur. “We need to remove the stigma

[of seeking financial help through loans] and communicate the message that these programs are designed to help small businesses flourish.”

The Results

“In 2012, the pilot’s eight sites in California awarded about $2.7 billion; by the third quarter of 2013, we already surpassed that with more than $3.5 billion in loans awarded to Hispanic-owned companies in California,” says Natalia Olson-Urtecho, SBA regional administrator for the mid-Atlantic region.

Program Benefits

Business owners can choose from a variety of SBA loan programs, including general small business, disaster, microloans, real estate and equipment. Along with loan help, the pilot program offers educational programs, resources and events about available SBA programs. So far, about 600 business owners have attended the events.

The SBA also offers webinars and government contracting workshops a few times per month at its local offices on topics including business plan creation and employee management.

Real Rewards

Signing up for the pilot program is one of the best business decisions Manuel Trujillo says he’s made. Trujillo is president and CEO of Swain Techs, which provides technology services in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Trujillo contacted the SBA for help with earning the 8(a) certification as a minority-owned business.

The SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program offers assistance to firms that are at least 51 percent owned and controlled by minorities or groups facing social or economic disadvantages. It helps aspiring entrepreneurs gain a foothold in government contracting.

With the 8(a) certification, Swain Techs can provide strategic technology solutions in managed technology, cybersecurity and engineering to the federal government. Since registering with the SBA, Swain Techs won three prime government contracts. The company doubled revenue in 2012 and is close to doubling revenue this year, Trujillo says.

“The SBA helped us refine our strategy,” he says. “Business owners must understand that certification is the first step. Contracts won’t automatically come to your company; you have to go out and chase them.”

The pilot program is available in:

  • Austin, Texas
  • California
  • El Paso, Texas
  • Florida
  • Nashville, Tenn.
  • Ohio
  • Philadelphia
  • Utah

The SBA is considering expansion to other areas.

Visit SBA.gov to learn more.

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By | 2019-05-10T02:50:01+00:00 November 19th, 2013|Categories: Blog, Samples|0 Comments

About the Author:

Ashley Cisneros Mejia is a journalist, entrepreneur and marketer. She began her career as a newspaper reporter and later as an editor at Florida Trend business magazine. Ashley has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2009, as a technical writer, marketing manager, and public relations practitioner. She also founded two digital marketing agencies in Orlando. Named one of Orlando’s 40 Under 40 and honored by the Women’s Executive Council of Orlando for achievements in media and communications, Ashley earned a B.S. in Journalism and an M.S. in Entrepreneurship at the University of Florida.

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