Chamber partnership is ‘raising the level of commitment’ to minority and women entrepreneurs

Small business owners are propelled by their passion, whether it is going local or global with a new product or a service they provide. Molly Mayfield and Maria Ramos are propelled by a passion as well; to do everything they can to help minority and women-owned businesses and start-ups succeed.

Mayfield and Ramos were formally introduced to the QC as new business advisors for the region’s two Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) during a media conference Wednesday – an appropriate announcement to make during National Small Business Week.

Ramos is bilingual (Spanish) and in charge of minority outreach and community engagement and helping QC entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses for the Illinois SBDC at Western Illinois University – Quad Cities.

Mayfield, owner of Greenflex Financial, provides one-on-one counseling specifically in the areas of finance, accounting, business planning and business valuations for the Iowa SBDC at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. As an African-American, female business owner, she offers the community a unique perspective on starting and maintaining a small business.

SBDC provides no cost, confidential one-on-one counseling to entrepreneurs and business owners. Counseling services are personalized and designed to fit the unique needs of each business. In addition, business trainings are offered.

The Chamber has been a long-time partner with the Iowa and Illinois SBDC and provided funding to help hire these new positions to assist minority entrepreneurs.

“We know small businesses make up about 99% of all businesses and employ about 64% of all employees in this country, so they are critical to the success of our nation. The Chamber is working to create a prosperous regional economy where all can thrive, and what we are talking about today in partnership with the colleges is really important to continue that work moving forward,” said the Chamber’s Interim CEO Mike Oberhaus.

“We are very driven and motivated to help our minority businesses thrive, survive, grow and become an entrepreneurial ecosystem we can be very proud of in the region. We know that is something that will help our region be successful economically and make it a place everyone would like to be,” Oberhaus added.

Mayfield invited entrepreneurs to call on all SBDC services, adding that no matter what stage the business is in, “we can help them achieve their goals. This initiative, and in partnership and working together, will support the development and growth of minority and women-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs in underserved communities. This will enhance our community and benefit everyone,” she said.

Ramos’ said the culture, experiences and Spanish language she shares with the Hispanic community will help her connect with and help clients who may feel distrust or fear starting a business due to language and cultural barriers. “It allows me to understand them from a similar perspective and create a professional bond in which there is trust and security for all. The knowledge gained through our consultations provides the necessary elements for entrepreneurs to succeed in the business field,” she said.

Ann Friederichs, Assistant Director, SBDC at WIU-QC, said it provided 2,108 advising hours to 393 clients in 2021. “Of those, 116 self-identified as minorities,” she said. “We want to thank the Quad Cities Chamber for allowing us to help local minority entrepreneurs and business owners now and in the future,” she said. 

Joel Youngs, SBDC Regional Director, EICC, described the successes of its clients, one a woman who moved and expanded her daycare business from her home and into a building, then had every slot filled within a month. Another was an African immigrant who was able to open a now-thriving grocery store in Davenport. “We thank the Chamber for its initiative to reach out to all individuals in our community, to raise the level of commitment that we can do more to help people positively affect their lives.”

To connect with Mayfield call 563.336.3401 or visit eicc.edu/sbdc. To connect with Ramos call 309.762.3999, extension 68042 or visit wiusbdc.org.