Cities like Seattle and Austin are repurposing vacant retail and office spaces to support small businesses and artisans by offering them at discounted rates, making it easier for them to establish a physical presence. These initiatives aim to revitalize commercial districts and increase economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs who might otherwise be unable to afford traditional long-term leases. To read more about these initiatives, see this piece in Small Business Trends.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced $30 million in funding opportunities for Women’s Business Centers (WBCs), including a new center in the U.S. Virgin Islands and first-time funding for WBCs specializing in federal contracting and child care businesses. The initiative aims to expand virtual services, support socially and economically disadvantaged women, and enhance the SBA’s reach, especially in underserved communities, through an unprecedented network of 152 WBCs across the U.S. and its territories. Read more in the SBA’s press release on this initiative.
Melissa Ben-Ishay founded Baked by Melissa after being fired from her ad agency job, leading her to start a cupcake business with her brother. The company grew from Ben-Ishay’s apartment kitchen to a commercial kitchen and multiple locations, leveraging social media to expand its reach, while Ben-Ishay became a successful CEO and cookbook author, overcoming gender-based obstacles in entrepreneurship. To read more about her journey, see this piece posted on CNBC