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SBA’s Inclusionary Efforts – Open to “All” Entrepreneurs

By Melissa Lowery   When President Obama charged the federal government with establishing a coordinated government-wide initiative to promote diversity and inclusion in the federal workforce in 2011, the U.S. Small Business Administration responded with action and practical application. Under the leadership of Eugene Cornelius Jr., deputy associate administrator for field operations, the SBA developed
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By |November 25th, 2015|Feature Story, Government, Public Sector|0 Comments

New SBA administrator reframes mission, easing access to funding and markets

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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Speaking up for Economic Empowerment – Winter 2014

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 |January 11th, 2015|Publisher’s Note|0 Comments

ENTREPRENEURS EXTRAORDINAIRE – Thankful for help from community and SBA, Savannah entrepreneurs return the favor

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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Stars align for Atlanta small business owner

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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