Ditch the Big Corps and Support the People of Color Small Businesses This Holiday

Small businesses owned by people of color are particularly vulnerable to the economic impacts of COVID-19. So this year, consider ditching the big corporations and opt for patronizing these small businesses instead. 

Despite the economic impacts of the pandemic, the National Retail Federation projects that holiday spending will grow between 3.6% and 5.2% this year. And while patronizing Amazon might get us the latest gadget at a reduced price, dozens of small businesses need your dollars more—especially those owned by people of color. 

Start your shopping now before it's too late.

Calling All Female Entrepreneur Road Warriors

Let's face it.  With the global pandemic causing us to still be sequestered at home, many of us are eager to become digital traveling nomadic entrepreneurs – taking our business wherever we please provided we are servicing our customers beyond expectations.

If you have been thinking along these lines, this handy little app might help you.  The American Automobile Association (AAA) recently launched TripTik tool quiver (triptik.aaa.com), with all of the Covid-related data a female entrepreneur road warrior could need or want.  Four things it does, among many others:

1. Features to show roadway checkpoints
2. Shows border closings with Canada and Mexico
3. Lists travel restrictions at the city, county or state level
4. Highlights confirmed cases of Covid-19 at the state/province and/or county level

Female entrepreneur road warriors can count on having the freshest information at their disposal.  Check it out.

Women Entrepreneurs Are Challenged During the Global Pandemic

In a recent four-part survey, the Babson’s Diana International Research Institute researched challenges women entrepreneurs face as a result of COVID-19. And, though the results trace a ripple effect of declining revenue for women-owned businesses to issues with work-life balance and support, research fellow Amanda Elam says a potential fix is simpler than it might appear.

Read on to see what it starts with.

Ensuring Black Women Entrepreneurs Come Out On the Other Side of COVID-19

Everyone needs to be thinking about how do we make sure that black women entrepreneurs come out on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis – not just survive but thrive afterwards.  They need critical information and resources to sustain themselves.  The Black Women’s Roundtable is investing in these women entrepreneurs with the launch of its Take It to The TOP Entrepreneurship Challenge.

The three-month program will provide resources—and cash prizes—to promote social innovation and develop business leadership skills for black women and girls across the Midwest and Southeast.

Learn more about the Take It To the Top Challenge.

The COVID-19 Small Business Resource Guide

We are very familiar with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago.  They've put together a good resource guide for small businesses as we navigate the coronavirus – from covering financial and logistical support, to seeking grants, to capturing information support.  It's all here.

Women Entrepreneurs Make Quick Financial Decisions Grounded in Data

The COVID-19 crisis has caused quite an upheaval for women entrepreneurs – from managing families, to working virtually, to slashing workforces.  These challenges require women to make quick financial decisions grounded in data.  Below are some of the key archetypes, including an assumption on how each small business female entrepreneur is handling tough financial decisions during the pandemic.

See whether you find yourself in any of these archetypes.

Unplanned Confinement at Home? Make More Time for Sex

With the new mandate on how to contain COVID-19, we will be spending unprecedented amounts of time at home. This is the most effective way to slow the spread of this highly contagious new illness. It will certainly have negative effects on the economy (women entrepreneurs included), especially for some people who are really going to suffer. We can all hope that nipping this in the bud will get all of us back to normal life soon.

Meanwhile, perhaps we can take advantage of this unplanned confinement at home to make more time for the sex that most of us would like more of. Especially for busy, long-term couples, sex is often one of the first things to go, as is spending some quality time together that doesn’t involve cleaning the kitchen or discussing the business of family life.

Read more about how to use the extended time at home to benefit your sex life.