Building A Big Future for Small Business
Women and minority-owned small businesses in low- to moderate-income communities are significantly impacted by economic downturns, natural disasters, and global health crises. In Louisiana, women and minority-owned small businesses struggled after COVID-19. With United Way's help, innovative approaches at the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) supported small businesses with surviving and thriving during and after the pandemic.
CEI provides small-business development services including business education workshops and interactive training, hands-on technical assistance, and access to resources relevant to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. Services include comprehensive business planning and support, loan packaging, business certifications, and assistance with operational streamlining, business financials and accounting, and other support services. With United Way support, the CEI has provided training to over 1,300 small businesses--including guidance on adjustinh business models to address new customer demands, and dealing with market and industry-based challenges and opportunities.
Dorothy Nairne is the owner of Delta Builds. This start-up venture strives to be the premier supplier of eco-friendly building materials, glass containers and household products all manufactured from recycled materials. The company is also certified as a disadvantaged enterprise (DBE) by the state of Louisiana and City of New Orleans.
Delta Builds has established strategic public and private partnerships to promote recycling services and attain technical expertise. A partnership with the City of New Orleans is under negotiation including the possibility of industrial space and glass collection opportunities. Workforce development organizations are keen to recruit and train cohorts of workers including those who are unemployed and/or justice involved. Delta Builds has been recognized for its bold business model from the Roddenberry Foundation and New Voices. Delta Builds will continue to thrive with support from CEI, BET, and United Way.