COVID is hurting small biz — but how to help? AltCap, KCBizCare launch listening tour to find best strategy
November 12, 2020 | Startland Staff
To help Kansas City’s small business community, leaders first must know what entrepreneurs actually need, said Ruben Alonso, announcing the launch of a KCMO-backed, city-wide listening tour.
Ruben Alonso, AltCap
“As we look to recover from the economic disruption caused by COVID-19, it is critical we hear from small businesses, the lifeblood of our communities so that we can rebuild our local economy in a way that unleashes the full potential of Kansas City’s entrepreneurial spirit,” said Alonso, president of AltCap, a local small business lender on the front lines of relief efforts in the city.
Since April, AltCap has deployed more than $5 million to hundreds of small businesses and saw first-hand the challenges entrepreneurs face.
The Small Business Big Voice listening tour is a collaboration between AltCap and KC BizCare, a free business resource, advocacy and information center for new and existing businesses operating within the city.
City council members Eric Bunch, 4th District; Ryana Parks-Shaw, 5th District; and Andrea Bough, 6th District, joined in announcing the effort Thursday. Virtual listening sessions on Zoom are set for each of the council members’ districts. Dates include:
- 6 p.m. Nov. 18 (5th District)
- 6 p.m. Dec. 2 (4th District)
- 10:30 a.m. Jan. 9 (6th District)
Click here to learn more about the planned sessions.
More information about potential virtual meetups hosted by council members in other districts is set to be released later.
“As a former small business owner, I understand firsthand the struggles that small businesses can face with access to capital, navigating the regulatory structure of government and managing operations,” said Bough. “The goal of our listening tour is to better understand the needs of local small businesses and to ensure that we are providing the support that they need to succeed.”
Nia Richardson, KC Bizcare
The listening tour is expected to help inform the best strategy to deploy city resources to increase profitability and sustainability for Kansas Citians, Bunch added.
In addition to the Small Business Big Voice initiative, KC BizCare Office is deploying its new “virtual one-stop-shop” that includes a Small Business Big Voice Online Survey to better assess the current state and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to local small businesses.
The new website is a centralized communication model for businesses to access immediate resources. The mobile-friendly website and survey enables ease-of-use from anywhere for small business owners who don’t operate their business from a desk.
“We are working to get our businesses capital and contract ready so that they can be resilient in COVID-19,” said Nia Richardson, director of KC BizCare. “We are asking business owners to take the survey and sign up for a listening session in their district so we can begin to build a small business agenda to help our Kansas City businesses be more resilient, pivot, or start new in COVID-19.”
Click here to take the Small Business Big Voice Online Survey.
Featured Business
2020 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Go BTS of a new KC-filmed reality TV series with the entrepreneurs who matched competitors with their style
ULAH founders get second chance to put their business (and Kansas City) on the national stage One of Kansas City’s best-known fashion duos — married entrepreneurs Joey Mendez and Buck Wimberly — recently stepped back into the fast-paced world of reality TV as stylists for a new series featuring another KC personality who commands screen…
KC hat maker’s sales soar after national news spotlight, capping year with validation: Made-in-the-USA still sells
Santa came early for Sandlot Goods — in the form of an ABC World News producer, said Garret Prather. On Dec. 13, Kansas City’s only local hat manufacturer was featured on the “Made In America Christmas” segment on ABC World News Tonight with David Muir. “Forty-five workers, 10 new hires, and 115,00 hats this year,…
Stand out and stand tall: Father of Tech N9ne, two of KC’s favorite chefs inspired their drive from his Kansas City hair salon
Hassan Khalifah only had to look to his elders for entrepreneurial inspiration, he said. They were a family of bakers, moonshiners, salvagers, restaurateurs, grocers, pool hall operators, and nickel-and-dime candy shop owners. After a short time working for the city, Hassan opened several small businesses before a three-decade career as a salon owner. Four of…
Trendsetting Crossroads brewer taps another first: KC’s only locally-owned non-alcoholic beer
A star on the Kansas City craft beer is setting a new baseline for inclusivity on the local brewing scene, said Eric Martens, introducing the metro’s first hometown non-alcoholic beer — a product of months dedication and innovation, he added. Border Brewing Co. on Friday announced its new Baseline brew — a canned offering crafted…