Capital Accessed by Women Business Owners

Even a pandemic couldn't stop Mayra Flores's entrepreneurial spirit. During the first few months of the shelter-in-place, Mayra saw an opportunity to pivot her bartending business and launch her own line of mixer products. Mayra worked with her SBDC advisor to develop a business plan, establish a trademark and secure capital including an EIDL loan and a $50,000 microloan. Today, Mayra has her Flores Micheladas products in more than 100 retail locations.

"The SBDC's ongoing support has been nothing short of life-saving! Just a phone call away — they give me the courage to pursue my dreams, knowing there is nothing I can't do with this incredible team on my side."

Prior to Covid-19, the SBDC helped Roanna obtain a loan to open a new location and hire four employees. When the pandemic struck, the SBDC helped her revamp her marketing via Facebook and Instagram, to replace her wholesale business with all retail sales in less than two weeks!

Katie Straubel is the owner of Clean Bees, a Northern Colorado cleaning company. "My accountant said I needed some financial help, and I relied on the SBDC." A Colorado SBDC consultant met with Katie for one-on-one sessions, to better understand her accounting information. Katie says, "I'm super grateful for my Colorado SBDC consultant. She's caring, sincere, a wealth of information, and really trying to help people out."

Nelson Merchan, CTSBDC Business Advisor, started working with Ava Marie Sealy to develop market research strategies and provide suggestions to improve her operations. He's helped me in more ways than I can possibly thank him for," stated Sealy."