Central Mountain Small Business Development Center (SBDC)’s Post

#SmallBusinessNews She Traveled to All 50 States- This is What She Learned About Business: This week, I talked to State Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, the author of It Takes a Little Crazy to Make a Difference, Dafna's Version.

👂 Did you hear? Michigan inched up the list of CNBC's Top States for Business to the No. 9 slot in 2024, up from No. 10 in 2023. 👏👏👏 We made improvements in the following metrics: 😁 Infrastructure 😁 Workforce 😁 Technology & Innovation 😁 Business Friendliness 😁 Cost of Living We lost ground on: 😔 Economy 😔 Cost of Doing Business 😔 Education 😔 Access to Capital Improving the last metric – Access to Capital – is a big part of Michigan Women Forward's mission. We are working to bridge the gap that female and minority entrepreneurs experience in obtaining the capital they need to start and scale their businesses. We are so lucky to work alongside fellow nonprofits, foundations, business organizations, government officials and small business owners to make Michigan a great state to do business. Next year? We're going to crack the top 5. Let's GO! #smallbusinesssupport #michiganentrepreneur #michiganbusiness #business #CNBC

In the ever-evolving landscape of New York City politics, the business community’s relationship with Mayor Eric Adams has been a compelling saga. From his 2021 mayoral campaign to his current legal battles, Adams garnered support from the city’s business elite, with many seeing him as a key ally. His pro-business stance, after years of what many perceived as antagonism under previous administrations, attracted notable figures, including billionaires and real estate moguls. However, Adams’s tenure has been marred by growing ethical concerns, with allegations of corruption now threatening his administration. Despite the mounting challenges, many within the business community have stood by him, believing his pro-business agenda was essential for the city’s economic recovery post-pandemic. But as federal investigations into his conduct continue, some of these same supporters are grappling with the implications of their endorsement and what a potential collapse of his administration might mean for the future of business in New York. Billionaires like John Catsimatidis, Hal Fetner, and Michael Bloomberg, among others, contributed to his re-election and defense funds, with many adopting a “wait and see” approach. Yet, as business leaders such as Kathryn Wylde from the Partnership for New York City navigate these turbulent waters, the question remains: What does the future hold for City Hall? And how will Adams’ legal troubles affect initiatives like the ‘City of Yes’ zoning proposals, which aim to reshape the city’s housing landscape? The business world, historically reluctant to engage in political scandals, finds itself in a precarious position. While some remain hopeful Adams can weather the storm, there are growing concerns about who might succeed him, especially if the business community’s influence wanes in favor of more left-leaning leadership. With the financial solvency of the city not immediately at risk, as Richard Sylla of NYU noted, the business class seems more concerned about the city’s reputation and the potential for policy gridlock. As the saga unfolds, many will be watching closely to see if Adams can overcome his legal challenges or if a new era of leadership will begin to reshape New York’s future. #NewYorkCityPolitics #EricAdams #BusinessCommunity #NYCLeadership #CityOfYes #RealEstate #ZoningProposals #NYCDevelopment #PublicCorruption #NYCGovernance #BusinessAndPolitics #MayoralRace #BigBusiness #REBNY #KathrynWylde #JumaaneWilliams

Everyone wants to belong to something larger than themselves. Companies that foster a strong sense of community are destined to succeed. That's a big part of what #companyculture is all about, for any business. Elderly Instruments of Lansing, Michigan is showing us all how belonging and community can help build a strong, durable business. The company has created a shared sense of purpose and belonging among the people who work there, making them an integral part of its success. Elderly is also a prime example of how important local engagement can be. #organizationalculture #belonging #culturechange #changemanagement

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It takes so much perseverance and it can also feel risky to take time off. As we approach Juneteenth I want to share this opportunity to fund a paid day off for four Black entrepreneurs in Portland, Oregon: https://gofund.me/e41b17ff

Rockefeller and Epstein: The Elite Club You Never Got Invited To In a twist that reads like a conspiracy theory fever dream, it turns out Jeffrey Epstein and David Rockefeller were closer than we ever imagined. Epstein, infamous for his scandalous activities, was listed in Rockefeller’s black book, served on the board of the Rockefeller Foundation, and even cozied up with Rockefeller in the Trilateral Commission. It’s almost as if the world’s elite are a lot more interconnected—and perhaps more questionable—than we were led to believe. FULL Story in the link below. https://lnkd.in/eXXvKp6x

What would it look like to redefine fiduciary duty, and consider the impact on community alongside financial return? This a discussion that we've had around many tables with potential investors, and this article by Sandhya Nakhasi does an amazing job at exploring the question. “You can’t build wealth for Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color by continuing to extract wealth from these same communities that have faced multigenerational exclusion and extraction from our financial systems.” Read the full article below: https://lnkd.in/eW2s3Dc4

What's your best advice on securing partnerships and sponsorships for businesses focusing on community impact? We’ve got pitches going out left and right for Black Woman Owned. It’s nerve-racking but exciting to enter this new era of work. I look forward to securing partnerships and sponsorships that allow us to provide monetary resources and education to #BlackWomanOwned businesses!

Read our new Q&A with Chayenne Polimédio, Program Officer for U.S. Democracy at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to learn more about how the foundation is addressing economic equity and opportunity, the work she is the most proud of, and questions she’d like to engage with funders colleagues on. https://lnkd.in/exTtV3V4