– Launching national financial education series and grant programs during National Small Business Week –
(BLACK PR WIRE) – SAN FRANCISCO, – In recognition of National Small Business Week, Wells Fargo is partnering with the National Urban League and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) to host a series of small business seminars and workshops nationwide. The workshops—including business resource fairs—provide attendees with information on the following topics: starting a business, access to capital, advice for young entrepreneurs, marketing, and social media strategies. The program is part of Wells Fargo’s annual Small Business Appreciation Celebration.
Collectively, Wells Fargo has supported the National Urban League and the USHCC for more than a decade by providing programmatic support, funding and resources for members and constituents.
As part of its relationship with USHCC, Wells Fargo and the USHCC Foundation offer the Chamber Training Institute (CTI) to chamber leaders throughout the year. The Chamber Training Institute series is held in six cities every other month throughout the year, and it offers executive level, two-day trainings in partnership with the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business and the support of Wells Fargo.
“At the National Urban League, we aim to provide businesses owned by people of color with the tools, guidance and resources needed to help them achieve long-term business success,” says Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League. “Our partnership with Wells Fargo has been instrumental in helping us support small businesses and thus encourages the kind of entrepreneurship that leads to asset-building and generational wealth.”
Small business success is vital to the continued growth of the economy, but some small business owners may lack the resources or access to information that can guide them in reaching their goals.
The joint program will provide educational resources and offer additional support for local programs benefiting diverse small business communities, such as the National Urban League’s Entrepreneurship Centers which are located in Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Philadelphia. These centers enable minority entrepreneurs to take advantage of new business opportunities and qualify for financing that will lead to high-level business growth through the provision of proper management skills.
“We are very pleased to partner with Wells Fargo and the National Urban league on this nationwide effort. As the nation’s leading advocate for 3.2 million Hispanic-owned businesses, the USHCC recognizes the benefits such coalition-based initiatives provide for all American businesses,” said USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. “We are delighted with the planned activities. These seminars and workshops are potentially transformative for entire communities. They empower local chambers and businesses with the networks, skills, and knowledge they need to scale their operations, create jobs, and enrich local economies.”
In addition to the financial education series, Wells Fargo also introduced a broad multi-year initiative, Wells Fargo Works for Small BusinessSM, to deliver guidance and services to help more small businesses achieve financial success. The initiative includes WellsFargoWorks.com, an enhanced online resource for small business owners; and the Wells Fargo Works Project, an online video series – featuring true stories of five small businesses working with Wells Fargo to achieve their business goals – and a national contest where small business owners can compete to win $25,000 along with mentorship and tailored solutions for their business. Along with the Wells Fargo Works for Small Business initiative, Wells Fargo announced a goal to extend $100 billion in new lending to small businesses by 2018.
“We want to provide small business owners with valuable information that is convenient and easy for them to access. It’s critical for us to support small business growth – from offering financial services to delivering educational resources and guidance, said Lisa Stevens, Wells Fargo’s head of Small Business and Pacific Midwest regional banking president. “We’re bringing in industry experts to share their knowledge and experiences directly with local business owners.”
Small Business Workshops:
• May 8—Morris County Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce, Morristown, NJ
• May 13—Small Business Appreciation Day: Tools for Success (Las Vegas Urban League, Las Vegas, NV)
• May 14—Running an Effective Small Business (Los Angeles Urban League, Los Angeles, CA)
• May 15—Small Business Legacy Summit (Urban League of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA)
• May 15—South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Miami, FL
• May 20—Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber, Austin, TX
• May 21—Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Santa Ana, CA
• May 21—Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Fresno, CA
• May 21—Access to Capital Forum “Where is The Money”(Urban League of Greater Atlanta, Atlanta, GA)
• May 21—Wells Fargo Small Business Appreciation Week Reception (Houston Area Urban League, Houston, TX)
• May 28—Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Denver, Denver, CO
