Q&A
Discussion on small business awareness of available support programs
2:43:04
ยท
5 min
Council Member Oswald Feliz inquires about small businesses' awareness of available support programs, including commercial lease assistance and other legal aid. The panel members provide insights on program awareness and effectiveness:
- Many businesses, especially in certain areas, are unaware of available support programs
- Outreach efforts, including monthly meetings and networking events, are making a difference in raising awareness
- SBS Best program is well-received by those who have used it
- Commercial Lease Assistance (CLA) program faces challenges, including privacy concerns and limitations on court representation
- Panel members stress the importance of accessible information and resources for small businesses
- There's a need for more one-on-one advice and support, as educational workshops alone are not sufficient
- Cultural factors and trust issues can impact program participation, especially in immigrant communities
- The discussion highlights the value of connecting potential business owners with resources before they invest in starting a business
Oswald Feliz
2:43:04
for everyone.
2:43:06
And to your knowledge, are the small businesses that you work with, are they aware of the different programs available, including, you know, like, the commercial lease assistance, also the other legal assistance programs?
2:43:18
Or yes and no, depending on the area.
Norine Medas
2:43:20
Right.
2:43:21
So part of the problem is that they're not aware.
2:43:24
And this is why we're here as an association.
2:43:29
A lot of business owners coming through COVID, especially in Kenosse, South Brooklyn, did not receive a lot of the the support that we needed.
2:43:40
I know we live in a a community where there are a lot of single family homes, but it's a large area.
2:43:48
And then in terms of the commercial corridors, you know, we own we we're a transit desert, And so they didn't get, and a lot of business owners, you know, are not really trusting.
2:43:59
But I must say that, over the last couple of years, we've been organizing for the past 5 years.
2:44:07
The resources that we have received from SBS, from our local elected officials, from Volts, from the New York Business Solutions, it has made a tremendous difference.
2:44:21
Our issue in Canarsie is because we didn't have a lot of, support.
2:44:28
Not that we didn't, but a lot of our businesses did not.
2:44:32
And so, that has created a problem.
2:44:35
Outreach can make the difference, and we see with having monthly meetings, having networking events, it is making a difference.
2:44:44
New York Business Solutions to, attend.
2:44:47
We're partnering with SCORE, where there are free resources that they can access.
Andrea Tan
2:44:55
Yes.
2:44:55
I agree.
2:44:56
It's very important to to make it accessible and that people know that there are legal services out there.
2:45:00
But the other issue is that if they even if they did know that we exist and they reach out, there's not enough we don't have enough resources to support all of the businesses.
2:45:09
So then at the end of the day, we can provide educational workshops, but we don't have enough resources to give 1 on 1 advice, which is what's actually valuable for the entrepreneurs.
Ahyoung Kim
2:45:21
On the positive side, I will say that SBS Best, program is well received by individuals who have gone through the program and received consultation.
2:45:30
They were able to, prove, prevent future tickets or, bring up their sanitation grades.
2:45:36
So, kudos to SBS for that program.
2:45:39
When it comes to the CLA, however, we believe two things are an issue to our community.
2:45:44
1, the nature of my community tends to be they they don't want to talk about legal issues in front of others.
2:45:51
I'm sure it's not only an Asian community thing.
2:45:53
But, in particular, when I'm doing outreach to our community members under the guidance of the funding eligibility and,
UNKNOWN
2:46:00
allowed activities, it doesn't allow for enough, like, private sessions or
Ahyoung Kim
2:46:00
the communication with the leg legal, support, before they can actually, like, register, before they decide to enroll for the program.
2:46:14
So that is one big hurdle that we experienced in past years when working with CLA.
2:46:19
Secondly, when they learn that CLA does not actually, allow for the legal advisers to represent them in court, it does become a very frustrating point where individual owners become, you know, what is the point of this then?
2:46:32
Again, at the end of the day, I will not be suing my law my landlord because I can't afford it.
2:46:37
So, if the yeah.
2:46:40
That is one of the biggest reasons why we don't see enough, attention from the community members who obviously need the surplus.
Norine Medas
2:46:47
And if I could just share in terms of, highlight, there was a gentleman who was thinking of, opening up, a restaurant, and he began to search online, and he found us.
2:46:59
And we were able to connect him directly with all the resources.
2:47:04
SBS had an amazing, expo last year.
2:47:08
He attended.
2:47:09
He decided, you know what?
2:47:10
I I'm informed.
2:47:12
I have the information.
2:47:13
I think I'm gonna kinda just wait a little bit before I proceed.
2:47:18
So it is important.
2:47:19
I know business owners sometimes, they're wearing so many hats, and they're not listening, but the capacity to be able to reach out and now, will have that, and more of that is needed.
2:47:31
And so to help business owners, why invest 10, $20,000 in starting a business, and you're not really aware of all of the resources that are available?
Oswald Feliz
2:47:43
Okay.
2:47:43
Super, super helpful and informative.
2:47:45
Thank you so much for joining us today.
UNKNOWN
2:47:47
Thank you.
Norine Medas
2:47:47
Thank you.
2:47:47
Thank you
Oswald Feliz
2:47:48
for your testimony.
2:47:52
Alright.
2:47:52
Anyone else would like to testify in person before we move on to the virtual testimony?
2:48:09
Okay.
2:48:09
I'll now call our 1st virtual panelists, Christopher Leon Johnson and then Karina Kaufman Gutierrez.
UNKNOWN
2:48:18
You may begin.
Christopher Leon Johnson
2:48:26
Can you hear me?
Oswald Feliz
2:48:27
Yeah.
2:48:27
Yes.
2:48:28
We can.
2:48:28
Hello?