Knowledge • News • Insights

In Partnership With

BWL: Lansing Energy. Providing 40% clean energy by 2030

SBA | Women’s Business Summit, Resources to Export and More

Michigan Business Network: tax

sba100

Did you know that in 2021, 1.1 million of all businesses were owned by women?

In celebration of Women’s History Month, learn about counseling, training, contracting assistance, and other services and programs available to help women start, grow, expand, and recover their businesses.

Learn more

In celebration of Women’s History Month, join the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership and the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center for the virtual Women’s Business Summit on March 29-30, 2022. The free event will include power-packed panels, inspirational fireside chats, and ‘Ask an Expert’ workshops to help you build, scale, and grow your business. Panels and discussion topics include:

  • Innovation and Investment
  • Building an Equitable Recovery Framework for Women Entrepreneurs
  • From Essential Worker to Essential Entrepreneur: CARE Economy Entrepreneurship Opportunities
  • The $100B Marketplace: Contracting Opportunities for Women-led Firms
  • Exporting & E-Commerce
  • The Changing Landscape for Entertainment and Hospitality Industries

Register


Photo of two people

Get Inspired: Small Business Success Story

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are highlighting small business owners like Kayla Zuidema and Valerie Mackenthun who are making an impact on the economy and their communities. When Zuidema and Mackenthun opened Hutchinson, Minnesota-based Compass Occasions, they imagined growing the business but never during a pandemic. With help from SBA and two local resource partners, that’s exactly what happened.

When the pandemic first hit, Zuidema and Mackenthun reached out to a Small Business Development Center, which helped them apply for and receive financial assistance through SBA, state, and county relief programs. SBA microlender Southwest Initiative Foundation also provided funding for important technology upgrades. Zuidema and Mackenthun took part in the foundation’s 10-week reinvention workshop, helping them navigate the evolving economic landscape and create a new vision for the business.

Read more


Photo of two people holding hands and another person watching them.

This week, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman visited Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Cooperstown to meet inspiring small business owners who were able to pivot, recover and grow with help from SBA programs and resources. Follow the Administrator on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to see photos and videos of all her visits to small businesses across America. 

Boots to Business, Veterans

Earlier this week, the SBA announced that eligible non-profit organizations, state, local, and tribal government agencies, and institutions of higher learning may now submit their proposals to host Boots to Business courses at military installations outside the continental United States. The awarded organizations will provide B2B training to transitioning service members and military spouses at overseas military installations. Proposals must be submitted to grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on March 28, 2022. 

Learn more


Export

Are you thinking about exporting? Foreign sales opportunities are well within reach for small businesses. Take advantage of federal programs designed to build the bridge to new markets.

Learn more


prepare for tax season

Join the IRS for a series of online meetings in March (divided by location/states) for small business organizations and owners. The meetings will include:

  • Presentations from IRS leadership covering the top tax issues affecting small business owners regarding income, deductions, employment taxes and recordkeeping
  • How to get ready for the 2022 filing season
  • Tax scams targeting small businesses 
  • How the IRS is reorganizing to better serve small business taxpayers
  • Listening session to hear concerns, feedback, and suggestions from participants

Learn more


Illustration of a laptop with text that includes, PPP Forgiveness Portal

 

Paycheck Protection Program borrowers: If your loan is $150,000 or less, you may be eligible to apply for direct forgiveness through SBA using our online portal. Follow the steps below.

  1. Find out if your lender is participating. 
  2. Watch a video about how to use the portal.
  3. Apply for forgiveness.

For additional information, visit the SBA website.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the on

What's Hot

Get the latest news from MBN right in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss a beat.