To all Dallas-Fort Worth-based minority- and woman-owned businesses: LiftFund’s Women’s Business Center is rolling out free programming to help with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
LiftFund announced that it was aiming to help businesses not only survive, but thrive, after many were forced to close their doors. The Women’s Business Center (WBC) in Dallas, led by its director, Tarsha Polk, has developed a COVID-19 Business Resiliency Program as a comprehensive resource with measurable results.
[Photo: Courtesy LiftFund’s Women Business Center]
“The Women’s Business Center is a resource and a place where business owners can talk to an advisor who cares about their situation and can guide them through this difficult time,” Polk said in a statement.
The Business Resiliency Program, funded by the CARES Act, aims to help businesses recover quickly from the pandemic, according to LiftFund. All businesses that had to close, operate remotely, suffered a 15 percent or more revenue loss, or are struggling to reopen are eligible to take advantage of the program.
In addition to the programming, WBC’s staff said it is working closely with businesses to help identify and apply for necessary funding opportunities. According to LiftFund, the advisors have already helped more than 200 North Texas business owners stay afloat with these resources.
[Photo: Courtesy LiftFund’s Women Business Center]
Overall, LiftFund’s Women’s Business Center DFW has served more than 1,055 clients, helping them access $3 million-plus in funding.
“Prior to the onset of COVID-19, I built a highly successful interior design business,” Karyn Martin, owner of Interprise Interior Design, said in a statement. “I went to my bank and they said they didn’t do SBA loans. I immediately turned to LiftFund’s Women’s Business Center where they helped me identify funding sources to complete the PPP application, which provided the funding needed to keep our workforce stable.”
Here’s the program offerings, per the WBC:
COVID-19 Business Assessments & Recommendations where participants receive free business assessments by subject matter experts in supply chain and distribution, cybersecurity, remote telework, remote customer service solutions, and general business strategies to mitigate the risks of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Business Continuity Planning, which provides guidance and coaching to help businesses recover from COVID-19. Participants will receive three months of coaching to guide them through developing their business plan, plus review and feedback from a customized business plan writing company made up of full-time, in-house writers and analysts who have credible experience in investment banking, venture capital, private equity, Fortune 500 and start up and entrepreneurial experience.
Emotional Wellness Coaching on How to Cope with COVID, a 3-month emotional wellness coaching program led by a professional licensed counselor and life coach. It is designed to support female entrepreneurs as they manage through crisis and lead their business into recovery.
Industry-Specific Trainings and Educational Resources, by industry experts focusing on industries hit the hardest, such as day care centers, beauty/hair salons, retailers and food services.
[Photo: Courtesy LiftFund’s Women Business Center]
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