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Capital, Contracting, Entrepreneurship: Hot Topics Discussed with Small Business Leaders
Marie Johns
Post date: 08/09/2011 - 13:29

Each Friday this summer, leaders from the White House and key agencies like the U.S. Small Business Administration have met with community leaders from across the country.  This past Friday, I had the opportunity to speak with about 25 community leaders from a number of different states who are small business owners, as well as people who work closely with local small businesses on a daily basis.  It was a great discussion.

We talked about how SBA loans have played a key role in getting credit in the hands of small business owners over the past two years when credit was virtually frozen.  We also talked about the progress being made in federal contracting opportunities for small businesses. In addition, we discussed the counseling services that SBA field offices and partners provide for over 1 million clients each year.

The best part of the discussion, though, was when I heard ideas, suggestions, and feedback from community leaders themselves.

  • I heard that access to capital remains a problem in underserved communities, even for businesses that are doing well and are poised for growth. We discussed new efforts like SBA’s Advantage loans to help address this problem.
  • I heard that we need to make sure federal contracting officers have the tools and knowledge they need todeliver more contracts to small businesses. The Small Business Jobs Act is giving those officers a big boost, and we continue to find ways to do more.
  • I heard that the entrepreneurial spirit of America’s youth is alive and well, and we must continue to harness it in order to help them create the next great American companies. We’re working to do just that at the SBA.

This direct dialogue is crucial. It’s what “good government” should be all about.  That’s why I was so pleased to see business cards being exchanged not only among the attendees who were networking, but also with the SBA team members who were on-hand. 

Make no mistake: This Administration firmly believes in getting input directly from America’s small business community. We’re taking their ideas and feedback to help ensure that we continue to meet the needs of America’s small business owners. After all, we know that it’s them – not us– that are the ones out there building their business and creating jobs.

Support for Small Businesses in Rural America
Marie Johns
Post date: 06/15/2011 - 17:57

Last week, I joined Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and other members of the Obama administration for the first meeting of the White House Rural Council.

The goal of the council is to advance policies that promote economic prosperity in rural America. I know the SBA will play an important role in this endeavor. Small businesses are part of the fabric of rural communities. They line Main Streets in small towns, and they are crucial job creators in rural economies. SBA is committed to helping these small businesses get the tools they need to grow and create jobs.SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns talks to a small business owner at the Indiana State Fair

One way SBA already supports rural small businesses is through our Advantage loan platform. These loan initiatives are designed to help businesses in underserved markets such as rural communities gain access to much-needed capital. They streamline the application process and reduce the turnaround time, making it easier for lenders to make smaller loans that businesses rely on. 

We’re also cross-training with USDA to make sure that we’re matching entrepreneurs, farmers, and rural business owners with the right loan programs. For example, the USDA can make loans to farmers, but if the owner of a non-farm small business visits the USDA, USDA staff now know to send that business owner to the SBA. And we’re sharing information and discussing ways to increase lending to food processors and other businesses that play a vital role in rural economies.

As a native of Indiana, rural issues are very important to me. I’ve seen first how small businesses can be catalysts for growth in rural communities. I talked with small business owners last summer at the Indiana State Fair, and I’m looking forward to meeting and speaking with more rural small business owners in the months ahead.  Watch this blog for more updates as Council members head out to state fairs across the country to hear directly from rural America about what we can do to support rural communities and small businesses.

Reducing Barriers and Improving Government Regulation
Marie Johns
Post date: 05/26/2011 - 09:34

Official Portrait of Deputy Administrator Marie JohnsAt SBA, we are committed to improving the regulatory environment and making it easier for small businesses to grow and create jobs. This spring, the Startup America initiative went on the road to hold a series of Reducing Barriers roundtables. Top SBA and Obama administration officials heard directly from entrepreneurs and small business owners about how we can remove barriers to growth, at SBA and throughout the government.

At the same time, President Obama has called for a government-wide review of rules and regulations to look at ways we can cut costs and reduce burdens for businesses and consumers. In keeping with the President’s executive order, SBA took a good look at how we can improve the rules on our books.

Many of the opportunities for improvement that we identified were similar to suggestions that came up during the Startup America: Reducing Barriers roundtables. Here are a few of those ideas we are taking a look at that came up in both the roundtables and our look-back:

  • A one-stop-shop online for the SBIR program.
  • A uniform certification process for SBA contracting programs, such as 8(a), HUBZone, and the Women-Owned Small Business program.
  • An online portal to better distribute materials and literature out to our field offices and resource partners.

These are just a few of the ways in which we are committed to streamlining our programs and reducing barriers for small businesses. They show how we can be good stewards of taxpayer dollars while making it easier and more cost effective for small businesses to get the tools they need. I’m excited to do more on this initiative in the weeks and months ahead.

For more information on our plan, and others throughout the administration, please visit www.whitehouse.gov/regulatoryreform.

Creating the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Marie Johns
Post date: 05/13/2011 - 15:23

All of us at SBA know that America’s future prosperity depends on the next generation of entrepreneurs. That’s why I’m committed to making sure our young people have the resources to start a businesses, and teaching them that entrepreneurship can be an option early in their careers. I’m excited to be heading up a new effort at the SBA to reach young entrepreneurs and make our resources work for their needs.

To kick-off our young entrepreneurs initiative, I want to hear from you. On Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m., I’ll be joining Kalpen Modi of the White House Office of Public Engagement for YES: Young Entrepreneurship Summit.

We’re sitting down with a group of young entrepreneurs and business leaders to discuss what tools young people need to start and grow businesses, and how SBA can help. The town hall style event will give us a chance to interact with some of the brightest and most promising of America’s young people. We want to learn how SBA can improve our outreach and better serve young entrepreneurs—we have a lot tools in our toolbox, but we know we can do more.

I hope you’ll get involved. The event, which starts at 6:30 p.m. this Tuesday, will be livestreamed at www.whitehouse.gov/live. You can also follow along on twitter with #YESnyc, and submit your own questions to @SBAgov.

New Videos to Help Small Businesses Export
Marie Johns
Post date: 04/07/2011 - 17:39

President Obama set an ambitious, yet attainable goal of doubling US exports by 2015, and small businesses are leading the way. Often, the only tools a business needs to sell their goods and services overseas are a website and a broadband connection.

At the SBA, we are working to increase the number of small businesses that export, and the number of countries they ship to. Our approach is simple: Identify. Prepare. Connect. Support. We start by identifying small businesses that are interested in exporting. We then work to prepare these companies for the process by connecting them with overseas markets, and supporting them with loans and counseling.

The SBA recently teamed up with Inc. Magazine and AT&T to produce a video series with tips and tricks to help businesses grow and create jobs through exporting:

Additional videos are posted at www.inc.com/exporting, and you can learn more about exporting on our website www.sba.gov/international.