By Dianne Anderson

For novices and pros alike looking to handle their business in “the IE,” an area historically almost invisible to investors — there’s more money, grants and resources just around the corner.

And, newbies shouldn’t be nervous if it’s their first time getting in the mix.

On Monday, January 22, the Small Business Leadership Training runs from 4:00-7:00 p.m., and will be held at Immanuel Praise Fellowship Church. 9592 7th Street in Rancho Cucamonga.

Bishop Kelvin Simmons, President of the Inland Empire Concerned African-American Churches, said the prospects are exciting.

“It was a no-brainer for us to say yes when we got the call, will you host it,” said Simmons, co-pastor of Immanuel Praise Fellowship. “At the micro level, our church believes everyone should have a business and should strive to be successful in stewardship over their own future.”

He said the state is bringing good options to access funding and IECAAC wants to ensure the community can get in the front of the line for resources to benefit them.

“That hasn’t always been the case for African American people. We get the news almost last or next to last. By the time you get to the front of the line the program is over,” he said.

Community stakeholders IECAAC, along with collaborators such as COPE, have anticipated this type of event for a while. He expects a lot of energy from the offerings, and the community can expand on what they know to take their business further.

“[To] propel them into business and ownership, and give them a better sense of security by being able to project into their future, of how they’re going to take care of themselves and their families and leave a legacy,” he said.

Simmons said it’s also important not to leave money on the table.

“The money that is earmarked for this region, we want our people to know what it’s for, how to access it, and can benefit from it,” he said.

Jovan Agee, an expert consultant contracted by the government to facilitate the training, said participants will gain a lot from the event, which promises to be packed with resources.

He feels the community should be excited because the Inland Empire is usually passed over for this type of funding, but was added to one of the SBA stops. Originally, the trainings were slated for five areas with only two in Southern California, one in Los Angeles, the other in San Diego.

But, if the community doesn’t show out strong, it may not bode well for the future when the state wants to give out more money locally.

“Even if you don’t have a business, you should come. The head of the Office of SBA will be there to talk to you about how to get your business off the ground, and get certified to put you in the pipeline for these funding opportunities,” said Agee, Founder and CEO of Agee Global Solutions.

Some people may have a shell of a business, a website and business cards, but struggle for resources. Or, some business owners may be seeing some success, but don’t know how to scale it up.

He said no one will be left out of the conversation.

Strategic planning is the focus, especially in going after government funding. Businesses have to know how to get money from the government, which is the investor.

“They [government] have to understand what you are trying to accomplish, that’s what a strategic business plan does. It articulates to the person you want money from. What are you doing, why are you doing it, what are you going to do with this money?” he said.

Another aspect is how to get beyond state resources is looking to local elected officials for how they can help their constituents grow their businesses.

“I tell people all the time not to choose the elected like celebrities,” he said. “You see them, you want to take a picture with them, but not asking tough questions about funding. It’s knowing what to ask politicians,” he said.

Some funding sources presented at the training will come down in the form of grants and loans, and partners in position to disseminate it locally, such as the Small Business Development Center, and ethnic chambers, he said.

Jonathan Buffong, who works with the nonprofit CEEM, the Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement, and the Youth Action Project, expects the training to be powerful.

He said Black businesses must develop capacity and strengthen business ties with a short-term and long-term view on sustaining funding. Another hurdle in the past has been that “the IE” has a harder time than other counties pulling down philanthropist or business dollars.

In working with CEEM, he said the goal has been to introduce the community to infrastructure in areas of cyber security, green jobs and transportation, all great paying fields with fast-tracked certifications to bring good jobs to the Black community.

Those fields are also strong for future business prospects.

“Governor Newsom and CalOSBA, they are doing this statewide and targeting our area. It’s also trying to develop [ties to] Black businesses so they’re on their radar and can communicate with them, especially as new opportunities are coming,” he said. “I think this is just the start.”

For more information, see the California Office of Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) at https://calosba.ca.gov/

For IECAAC, see https://www.iecaac.org/