MBDA Coronavirus Response and Relief (CRR) Center

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Are you a minority business owner looking to get back on track after COVID-19 disruptions? Utilize free services from the Coronavirus Response and Relief (CRR) Center. 

Virtual 1-on-1 Expert Consultant Office Hours 

We offer free one-on-one sessions with expert consultants to minority-owned businesses. We designed the sessions to be hands on and one-on-one, so the consultation can address your specific questions and empower you to act on what you’ve learned. 

Below are some examples of what is covered in each session: 

  • Sales & Business Development: Review your current approach towards new contract opportunities and develop specific actions and strategies to improve 

  • Accounting & Finance: QuickBooks/WAVE support, review current state of financial performance and identify opportunities for cutting costs or enhancing profitability

  • Business Taxes: Assess if business taxes align properly with your business structure and review current state of business taxes

  • Digital Marketing: Improve your website, get more visibility for your business SEO, learn how to leverage Google Ads, and optimize social media to attract new customers and adapt to social distancing

To receive access to our free virtual consulting, please fill out our intake form below to help us better understand and serve your business’s needs. Appointments are one hour in length and take place over Zoom. You will have opportunity to schedule follow up sessions as needed. 

Intake form

Do I Qualify?

Our clients are U.S. minority business enterprises (MBEs) owned and operated by:

  • African Americans
  • Asian Americans
  • Hasidic Jews
  • Latino Americans
  • Native Americans
  • and Pacific Islanders 

Upcoming Workshops & Presentations

TBA 

Previous Workshops and Presentations 

Leveraging Your Email Marketing to Build Relationships and Grow Revenue: View Presentation Here

Selling Online Without a Website: View Presentation Here

Small Business Saturday Website Building Workshop: View Presentation Here

Small Business Saturday Social Media Strategy: View Presentation Here

SEO Tips to Improve Your Search Engine Ranking: View Presentation Here

Perfecting Your Small Business Branding: View Presentation Here

How to Create a Marketing Plan for Small Business Saturday: View Presentation Here

Advanced QuickBooks Online: Invoicing Clients and Managing Receivables Workshop

 Advanced QuickBooks Online: Managing Vendors and Payables Workshop

Advanced QuickBooks Online: Financial Reporting and Reconciliation Workshop

SBA COVID-19 Relief Programs and Services Webinar (Info on EIDL & EIDL Advances): View Presentation Here

A Sales & Business Development Series (Part 2): View Presentation Here

A Sales & Business Development Series (Part 1): View Presentation Here

Master Your Financials with QuickBooks Online

Master Your Financials with Wave Accounting

Introduction to the MBDA Coronavirus Response & Relief (CRR) Center: View Presentation Here

Business Tax Workshop: View Presentation Here

    Funding Sources 

    CBS3/CW PHILLY SMALL WINS Grant Application 

    • On-air advertising and cash grants of up to $50,000 for businesses in Philly metro region 

    AMBER GRANT FOR WOMEN Application 

    • Monthly grants of at least $10,000 for women entrepreneurs in honor of Amber Wigdahl 

    SOGAL BLACK FOUNDER STARTUP Grant Application 

    • $10,000 and $5,000 cash grants to Black women and Black nonbinary entrepreneurs  

    Resources 

    Comcast RISE 

    If your business qualifies, you’ll have the opportunity to receive marketing consultations, media placements, commercial creative production services, or technology services from Effectv and Comcast Business. 

    FAQS 

    Is there a cost for any of these services? 
    No! MBDA CRR services are 100% free of charge 

    Do I have to live in Philadelphia or Pennsylvania to access these services?  

    Nope! While our offices are in Philadelphia, our services are virtual, and we can assist minority-owned businesses throughout the United States. The MBDA CRR Center was funded specifically to help the nation's Black-owned, Latino-owned, Asian-owned, Native-American-owned, and Pacific-Islander-owned businesses with their COVID-19 response and recovery.  

    What happens if I cannot make my appointment?  

    We understand that life is full of unexpected detours. If there is an emergency and you cannot attend your office hours appointment, please reach out to your consultant to reschedule. If you miss your appointment with no communication, you may be prohibited from accessing future office hours appointments.  

    Can I receive more than one type of assistance?  

    Yes! When filling out your intake form, indicate the type(s) of assistance that you need. We will send you separate calend.ly links for each topic area. 

    Can my friend talk to one of the consultants? 

    If your friend is a person of color with an existing business, they can fill out our intake form to access our services. However, they cannot use the calend.ly link that we provide to you. The calend.ly link only works one time and is intended for the person who filled out the intake form. If you share the calend.ly link you will be prohibited from accessing office hours appointments through the MBDA CRR Center.  

    I haven’t started my business yet. Can your consultants help me?  

    Unfortunately, no. These office hours are designed specifically for people who have existing businesses. If you have not started your business yet, reach out to us directly at mbdacrr@theenterprisecenter.com and we will direct you to some resources that better meet your needs.