Recognizing the business imperative to embrace diversity, the U.S. Small Business Administration and National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce launched the first initiative of its kind focused on LGBT business owners. LGBT Business Builder will bring together expertise and resources from staff at SBA district and regional offices, NGLCC’s 38 U.S.-based affiliate chambers and
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Maria Contreras-Sweet, SBA Administrator COVER STORY By Melissa Lowery The U.S. Small Business Administration is on a mission to modernize the organization and let small business owners know that they are standing by to provide support at every stage, from startup to expansion to globalization. Recently appointed Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet is leading the
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I’ve heard it said, “Equality does not equal equity.” Equality is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights and opportunities. Equity is the security representing an ownership interest. In spite of all the gains with marriage equality, the fact remains that the LGBT community actually faces higher rates of poverty, homelessness and economic
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By Suzanne Squyres TailsSpin’s Jeff Manley and Jusak Yang Bernhard with Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet of SBA.jpg Against many odds, Jusak Bernhard and Jeff Manley have a successful business. Leaving behind award-winning careers in the entertainment industry and their home in Los Angeles, they moved to Savannah, Ga., where they opened TailsSpin Pet Food & Accessories. On the first day of business, the store tallied a single sale of 89 cents. Now in its seventh year, it employs 26 people and has three locations, one of which sparked the renaissance of a once-derelict strip shopping center.
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Tasha Reid Tasha Reid is not one to back down from a challenge. After playing basketball at a Division I college, she went on to play professionally for a team in Barcelona, Spain. After earning an MBA degree, she worked as a real estate agent and radio talk-show host. Today, Reid is the
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