Business Resource Center
5 Development Court, Kingston, NY 12401
January 20th, 2012, 8-10am

CONTACT:
Melinda Beuf, Kingston, NY
mbeuf@ulsterny.com

KINGSTON - Running a business is a daunting task. Many small business owners lack the skills to navigate markets and secure and maintain customer bases. Obtaining funding to launch a business is also difficult. When one adds gender to the equation, the challenge may increase. Many women operate small, home-based business and often do not qualify for traditional lending programs. Procurement may open up a new market and microfinancing may be a lending option.

If you have a woman owned business and are interested in learning about these avenues for success, come to the Business Resource Center's educational seminar, "Ready, Set, Go: An Introduction to Procurement and Microfinance for Women-Owned Businesses." Meet other women business owners and gain market and financial expertise from business professionals. Three specialists in procurement and/or microfinance discuss the market and financial assistance for women-owned businesses.

After networking and a brief welcome, iCANny intern Sarah Burd will deliver a short discussion of the benefits of technology and entrepreneurship. The panel on procurement and microfinance begins with Vanessa S. Primus, SUNY Ulster Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Business Advisor and procurement specialist. She discusses the SBDC's Market place services available to women-owned businesses. The SBDC Procurement Assistance Center offers specialized assistance to small and/or disadvantaged firms interested in supplying goods and services to local, state and federal government agencies. The services help identify markets, complete the necessary registrations and certifications, understand the bid process, market to government agencies and access procurement resources.

Tamara Underwood, Director of Small Business Lending and Support at Community Capital New York, discusses business loans offered by Community Capital Resources, a Small Business Administration "Microlender." Its business loans such as Empire State Women and Minority Loan Fund and Small Business Revolving Loan Fund are perfect for start-up and existing businesses that struggle to secure traditional financing. Community Capital provides technical assistance and up to $50,000 in loans to businesses that cannot meet credit or collateral requirements of a conventional lender.

Erica Dorn, Business Development Officer at ACCION USA, discusses loans available to small business owners who cannot access traditional credit. ACCION USA, a microfinance organization, offers small business loans up to $50,000 and credit and business advice to small business owners who cannot secure bank credit. Whether you own a home based business or a retail store, ACCION USA will provide access to working capital and financial education.

The event will take place on January 20th from 8:00 am to 10:00 am at the Business Resource Center, Room 114, 5 Development Court in Kingston, NY. Key Bank's Key4Women is sponsoring the event and will provide light refreshments. There is no charge for the event but reservations are required. To RSVP, send your name and business name to Linda Clark at lclark@ulsterny.com.

By participating in this seminar, you not only acquire market and financial knowledge but will also have an opportunity to share and network with other women-owned business owners facing similar issues. Become part of a community of women working to transcend business growth barriers!

###