Lending Library

UPDATE: The PPP loan application period ended May 31, 2021. Learn about financing options available for small businesses today at Lendio.com

FAQs About the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

As was the case with the initial round of PPP, details for the program weren’t fully ironed out until after the bill had passed. As a result, many small business owners were left scratching their heads as to how PPP works. We know how vital this financial lifeline is for many small business owners. Here are answers to some of the most common questions small businesses have asked us about PPP. You can also find primary details regarding the loan (like how to calculate your payroll costs and what the loan can be used for) on our PPP page. 

When will the PPP extension end?

We recommend you apply for PPP early to ensure that your application has enough time to move through processing by the lender and be submitted to the SBA prior to the May 31, 2021, deadline.

How much is available in the new round of PPP?

How large of a loan can a business qualify for through PPP?

The program also includes the following caps:

• Maximum total loan amount: $10 million (aggregate total for First and Second Draws)
• Maximum loan amount for a Second Draw: $2 million
• Maximum loan total for businesses within a corporate group: $20 million

What protections have been added to PPP?

• Restaurants, hotels, or live venues that fall under a NAICS code starting with "72" can apply for 3.5 times their monthly payroll costs on their Second Draw. 
• Live event and production companies that have been forced to close may be eligible for a special grant.
• $12 billion have been specifically earmarked for BIPOC-owned businesses.  

What Is Your NAICS Code Used For?

By having a unified system for companies to identify themselves, regulatory bodies and other organizations can protect business owners and ensure America has a balanced economy.

NAICS Codes and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Additionally, this code helps ensure that companies applying for specific loans (like those related to hospitality) fall firmly within the field. That way, a company with a code related to advertising that had hospitality clients wouldn’t take from an actual hotel or restaurant—as an example.

Keeping your NAICS code on hand before applying for PPP assistance can make the process go faster and help you apply with confidence.

What is needed to qualify for a First Draw on a PPP loan?

• Your business was operating as of February 15, 2020. 
• You own a small business with associated payroll costs, you run a nonprofit with associated payroll costs, or you’re a sole proprietor/freelancer.
• You certify that your business has sustained economic damage due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• You have 500 or fewer employees. 
• You’re an independent contractor, sole proprietor, self-employed individual, or a business partner (For limited partnerships, only one PPP application can be submitted per partnership.)
• You have employed for whom you paid salaries and payroll taxes. 

Will you be able to get another PPP loan if you received one during a previous round?

What will the requirements be for a Second Draw on a PPP loan?

• Your business has fewer than 300 employees. 
• You can show a 25% revenue reduction during the first, second, third, or fourth quarter of 2020 (relative to the same quarter in 2019). 

How much can you qualify for in a Second Draw?

The maximum loan amount for Second Draws is $2 million. The maximum aggregate total for First and Second Draws is $10 million (if you happened to receive $9 million in your first draw, you would only be able to receive $1 million in the second draw). The maximum that can be borrowed by businesses within a corporate group is $20 million. 

What additional businesses are now eligible for a PPP loan?

• News organizations
• Some hospitals owned by government entities
• Businesses that receive legal gaming revenue (if they meet applicable requirements)
• Electric, telephone, and housing cooperatives
• 501(c)(6) organizations and 501(c)(19) tax-exempt veterans organizations
• Tribal businesses
• Destination marketing organizations (if they meet applicable requirements)
• Certain faith-based organizations

Is Lendio a PPP lender?

If not a lender, what is Lendio’s role with PPP?

What is the lender’s role with PPP?

Does the lender actually underwrite each file?

How long does the SBA take to process the application once submitted by a lender?

What is a PLP Number?

Is there a difference between a PLP number and an SBA loan number?

Can a borrower be denied a PPP loan after being issued an SBA loan number?

Is it possible to cancel my SBA loan number with my lender?

Why am I being asked for a credit check?

How long will it take the lender to fund the loan?

If a lender is unable to issue funds due to a borrower-caused delay, like missing paperwork, the SBA allows 20 days for funds to be disbursed. If the lender still has not received the necessary information at the end of that 20-day period, the lender is required to cancel the loan.

Why was I denied? Do I need to resubmit somewhere else?

If your application is flagged by E-Tran due to one of these issues, it may still be possible to fix the issue. Once you fix the issue, you can reapply for the loan, and we’ll do our best to get you resubmitted through a different lender. Additionally, to increase your odds of approval and funding, we recommend you apply at as many places as possible. 

Another common reason for denial is that there is already an SBA loan number under that Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), which often happens when a business owner who owns multiple businesses applies for a loan. 

How will the SBA review borrowers’ required good-faith certification concerning the necessity of their loan requests?

Borrowers with loans greater than $2 million may still have made the certification in good faith. All loans greater than $2 million, and other loans as appropriate, will be subject to SBA review. Borrowers that did not have a basis to make the certification (concerning the necessity of the PPP loan request) will have to repay outstanding PPP loan balances and will not be eligible for loan forgiveness.

If the borrower repays the loan, the SBA will not pursue administrative enforcement. Any borrower that repaid a PPP loan in full by May 18, 2020, will be deemed by the SBA to have made the required certification concerning the necessity of the loan request in good faith.

Are employees of foreign affiliates included for purposes of determining whether a PPP borrower has more than 500 employees?

According to the interim final rule, borrowers must count non-US employees toward the 500 limit, but these employees are excluded for average payroll and loan calculations.

Are PPP loans taxable?

Initially, there was uncertainty as to whether a business or nonprofit could deduct expenses paid for with PPP loan funds. The Economic Aid Act has clarified that these expenses are now tax-deductible. More guidance from the IRS is needed on just how this process will work. 

However, some states are currently taxing these funds, so you should check with your local accountant about how your state is handling this issue.

For more details on how to approach your taxes and potential deductions in relation to PPP, you can consult our post, “Are Business Expenses Paid With PPP Loans Deductible?”

How long does PPP last?

How long will the Paycheck Protection Program last?

Will there be another PPP loan round?

If you’re considering applying for a PPP loan, we strongly encourage you to do so sooner rather than later. There is no guarantee that funds will remain available through May 31, 2021, or that there will be another round of PPP loans.

Apply for your PPP loan now through Lendio's online application.

Lendio strives to provide you with the most current information as it relates to the Paycheck Protection Program, related SBA programs, and relevant regulations. The rules and regulations governing these programs are being regularly clarified by the SBA, and other agencies. In some cases, the provided guidance may directly conflict with other competing guidance, laws, rules, or regulations. Due to these changes, Lendio cannot guarantee that the information contained in this page reflects new changes or updates.

Lendio advises you to review the SBA guidelines and regulations on your own and determine your Company’s best approach to receiving SBA loans. Lendio urges you to consult your own attorneys, lawyers, and consultants to make the best decision possible. The information contained herein should not be construed as legal or tax advice, and should not be relied upon as such.

The words “flexible” and “financing” don’t seem like they should be in a sentence together. When you think of financing, you may think of a stuffy banker stamping rejections on loan applications. Maybe you think about how your business is stalled in growth because you’ve reached the end of your credit line. It is not often that you think about financing options that are flexible to your needs. They do exist, however. Here are some flexible financing options for your small business.

Does your financing plan account for unexpected losses?

As we have all seen, life is unpredictable. Your business could be performing well, but then revenue may drop off a cliff for outside reasons. Here is where that flexibility will come in handy. The pandemic has been awful to small business owners, and it has also shed light on some huge holes in small business finances. Many small business owners turn to personal funds to keep their businesses afloat because they lack cash reserves. If you want to avoid this scenario in the future, have a financing plan that is flexible and can accommodate unforeseen challenges.

Flexible financing options.

Many business owners found they were at risk of breaching their banking covenants with the sudden revenue loss. Some business owners were struggling to meet payroll. Others had to close altogether. To keep the lights on for your business, you either need a large cash reserve or flexibility in your financing. If you have maxed out a bank line of credit, do you have access to working capital from somewhere else? Is your bank willing to extend your credit limit?

Equipment financing

It is worth considering some supplemental financing options to round out your financing plan. Equipment financing is a great option that can unlock working capital to support your business growth. Equipment financing is a loan that you can use for specific reasons, like buying manufacturing gear or any other equipment you need for your business. If you are looking to upgrade your cybersecurity and tools because you have moved mostly remote, equipment financing can cover those costs. This type of financing will be a loan that probably has strict repayment terms, but you can use the money pretty flexibly for your business’s needs. 

Accounts receivable financing.

Accounts receivable financing can help you meet payroll while waiting to collect on your receivables. In simpler terms, the amount of capital you can access is based on the amount of capital you are waiting to collect from your customers. With accounts receivable financing, you can add to your team without the stress of adding to your overhead. Since it’s based on your outstanding invoices, it does not require a high credit score or lengthy time in business, which makes the approval requirements very flexible. This type of financing is similar to a line of credit, but the limit will not be as rigid. Typically, the higher your accounts receivable, the more capital you can access.

Line of credit.

A line of credit gives you some flexibility in drawing capital and repaying it. You don’t have to use all the money, and you only pay interest on the amount you use. Online lenders and traditional banks offer lines of credit, and it’s a great tool to have available if you want a more flexible financing plan.

Business cash advance.

A cash advance is basically a lump sum of cash that is repaid through daily or weekly withdrawals based on your future earnings. These are typically costly because the interest rates are high. Make sure you read your contract carefully before taking out a cash advance.

Which Flexible Funding Option Is Right for You?

Most of these financing options can work together to round out your financial plan. For example, you can use accounts receivable financing to cover your payroll and also take out an equipment loan to cover your production tools. You could use a cash advance alongside a line of credit. It is crucial to consider your business and your industry when signing up with a new lender. It’s best to choose a lender that knows your industry and can offer solutions to your unique financing challenges. Ultimately, your financing plan should include some flexibility to account for sudden gains or sudden losses.

Becoming an entrepreneur is an exciting venture that can often be the fulfillment of a life-long dream. But business owners also face a variety of challenges, and POC business owners face additional and unique challenges. New entrepreneurs wading into unchartered territory can often learn from the advice—and mistakes—of others. We asked a handful of POC business owners for their best advice to help fellow POC entrepreneurs entering the small business world.

1. Get a Minority-Owned Certification

As soon as you can, Mary Angela Munez, owner of GoLucky Studios, recommends working toward getting certified as a minority-owned business. “This makes you visible and able to accept government contracts that are set aside to provide opportunities to minority business owners,” she explains. “Right now, 5% of all federal money has been allocated to businesses that hold this designation.” State and city-level certifications can also provide access to bids on local contracts.

2. Plan for Success

You probably want to hit the ground running, but Elisabeth Jackson, a small business owner of 3 years with over 8 years of experience in the small business world, warns against rushing the process and says you should instead focus on getting your systems right. “Black women are the fastest-growing entrepreneurs but are significantly absent when it comes to long-term profitable businesses,” she notes.

“Document everything you do, and create procedures and systems that can replace your workload for you as you grow,” Jackson says. “Also, I recommend having a strong product suite that increases your client retention so you aren't relying on one product to make all your money.” In addition to not relying on one product, she advises against relying on one person—namely, yourself.  “Don't get caught up trying to do everything because that’s not sustainable in the long run.”

3. Hire Well

And since you can’t do everything yourself, Nerissa Zhang, CEO of The Bright App, recommends you hire help as soon as you can. However, she says it’s important to hire good people, and it’s equally as important to let those people go when it becomes clear that they’re not a good fit. “The reality is that there are many people in this world who will not respect the leadership of people of color, particularly if you’re also a woman,” Zhang explains. “As soon as you see any signs of disrespect from someone you’re paying, do not hesitate for a second—fire them immediately.”

4. Put Your Business Online

COVID-19 has severely hampered brick-and-mortar businesses. But even in a post-pandemic world, Ray Blakney, CEO and cofounder of LiveLingua.com, recommends putting your business online.  "In addition to the standard benefits of online business—such as lower startup costs and overhead, global reach, etc.—there are some unique benefits for POC.” 

For example, he says that since there aren’t a lot of online businesses run by POC (comparatively speaking), this is an opportunity to stand out.  “Not only can the unique point of view be shown on the website itself—it can also be used in marketing, as many journalists, podcast hosts, and websites are looking to include more voices from people of color, and they have a hard time finding people who can speak to this,” Blakney explains.

5. Be Yourself—and Be Sharp

To Tasha Booth, CEO and founder of The Launch Guild, being an entrepreneur is an opportunity to be your “authentic” self.  “Especially as a person of color, you will always be ‘too much,’ ‘too loud,’ or ‘too something’ for someone in whatever industry you’re in, and that’s okay.” But the beauty of being a small business owner is that you get to make the decisions and run the operation as you see fit. “Don’t think you have to fit a specific mold or cater to certain people to succeed and feel good about the business you’re building,” Booth says.   

Michelle Diamond, CEO and founder of Elevate Diamond Strategy, agrees. “Understand the value and uniqueness you bring as a POC,” she says. “But at the same time, unless your small business is focused on your ethnicity or heritage, lead with your skill sets and the value of your products and services only.”

6. Embrace Those Who Embrace You

You may have a target audience, but Booth recommends embracing the community that embraces you.  “When I first started running Facebook ads for my business 2.5 years ago, I noticed that the women responding to the ads and signing up for my services were primarily Black women.”

Initially, she says she was bothered that non-POC were not responding and believed it was only because she was a Black woman.  “But now, I celebrate the fact that other Black women see my success and see what the possibility can be for them,” Booth says. “Rather than thinking of it as a detriment, I see it as one of my superpowers and something that sets me apart from all other entrepreneurs in the online business/virtual support industries, so embrace the people who are embracing you.”

7. Invest in Your Professional Development

Learning is a lifelong process – especially when you’re a small business owner. And according to LaKesha Womack, a leadership development specialist, it’s important to invest in your professional education. “No, I don't mean getting another graduate degree: however, working with a business coach or consultant to help you develop a plan for your business and to hold you accountable will be one of the best decisions that you can make.”

While many entrepreneurs are great at what they do – she says being a successful business owner entails more than providing a service or product. “Working with a professional who has experience with business operations, human resource management, branding, and marketing can help your business to not only survive, even in turbulent economic environments, but they can also help to prepare you for growth.” Mentors for POC can also provide valuable support and advice to take your business to the next level and perhaps point you toward funding sources for business owners of color. 

8. Focus on the Positives

Being a POC entering the small business world will involve challenges, but that shouldn’t be your focus. “Oftentimes, POC may assume that they will encounter racism or bias, and while that does happen sometimes, the truth is if you have that mindset, you will attract more of the same,” says Diamond. However, she believes that the majority of people care more about your ability to add value to their lives than the color of your skin. “Focus on succeeding and having a great business; there is no limit to the success you can achieve for yourself, family, and community."

UPDATE: The PPP loan application period ended May 31, 2021. Apply for the Employee Retention Credit today through Lendio.

Lendio strives to provide you with the most current information as it relates to the Paycheck Protection Program, related SBA programs, and relevant regulations. The rules and regulations governing these programs are being regularly clarified by the SBA, and other agencies. In some cases, the provided guidance may directly conflict with other competing guidance, laws, rules, or regulations. Due to these changes, Lendio cannot guarantee that the information contained in this page reflects new changes or updates.

Lendio advises you to review the SBA guidelines and regulations on your own and determine your Company’s best approach to receiving SBA loans. Lendio urges you to consult your own attorneys, lawyers, and consultants to make the best decision possible. The information contained herein should not be construed as legal or tax advice, and should not be relied upon as such.

UPDATE: The PPP loan application period ended May 31, 2021. Apply for the Employee Retention Credit today through Lendio.

If you’re a 1099 worker (or a small business that employs 1099 workers) seeking a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, you likely have questions about whether or not you qualify for a PPP loan, what you need to apply, and how potential loan forgiveness will work. We’ve put together some of the most common questions we’ve received surrounding PPP and 1099 workers to give you the information you need. 

How Can 1099 Workers File for a PPP Loan?

Independent contractors can submit a PPP loan application through their bank or a lending marketplace. Given that many banks aren’t prioritizing the smallest loans, we’ve stepped up to help independent contractors secure funding. We’ve partnered with multiple PPP lenders to maximize your chances of funding, and we’ve streamlined the application to make it fast and simple. 

PPP applications opened for 1099 employees on April 10, 2020. 1099 employees are now eligible to apply for their own PPP loans through their banks or a loan marketplace.

Can 1099 Workers Receive a Second Draw?

Yes, qualifying independent contractors can receive an additional disbursement of funds by applying for a Second Draw. Just like the First Draw, a borrower can receive up to 2.5 times their monthly payroll costs through a Second Draw. To qualify you must meet the following criteria:

• Have received a First Draw through the PPP program
• Have used all First Draw funds (or plan to use them)
• Have used First Draw funds only for allowed uses
• Experienced a 25%+ reduction in revenue in 2020 compared to 2019

Will You Need to Provide Documentation to Prove a 25%+ Revenue Reduction for Second Draws?

Documentation proving revenue reduction is only required for loans over $150,000. It’s unlikely that most 1099 workers would have a loan more than that amount, given that independent contractors may only claim payroll for themselves (in addition to other payroll-related expenses) as a part of their payroll calculations and the SBA has capped salaries for individual employees at $8,333/month ($100k/year). It is likely that you will be required to certify this revenue reduction instead. 

What Documents Do 1099 Employees Need to Apply for a PPP Loan?

• 1099-MISC
• 2019 Schedule C, which is now required. If you haven’t yet filed a Schedule C, you must complete one and submit it with your 1099-MISC
• Your birth date
• A color copy of your Driver’s License (front and back)
• A voided check for your business bank account
• If you have 941 Quarterly Tax Filings (2019, 2020 Q1) or 944 Annual Tax Filings (2019), they should be submitted

You can visit our complete step-by-step guide to completing an application for full instructions. 

Why is a Voided Check Required in the Lendio Application?

A voided check is required to demonstrate business revenue deposits.

Will a PPP Loan for a 1099 Worker Be Forgivable?

If PPP funds are used for allowed uses during the covered period of the loan (the 24 weeks immediately following disbursement of funds), then a borrower will likely qualify for loan forgiveness. 

The SBA has streamlined the forgiveness with a one-page application for loans under $150,000. Additionally, for loans under $150,000, you will not be required to submit documentation on your forgivable expenses. Instead, you will be asked to certify that funds were used for forgivable expenses. 

Can You Receive Unemployment at the Same Time as Your PPP Loan?

No. PPP loans cannot be used for the same purpose as other government funds at the same time. So you cannot receive unemployment at the same time as you’re using PPP funds to cover lost payroll. 

If you are currently receiving unemployment, you will have to cancel it starting on the date your PPP loan is funded. If you are still suffering from lost wages after PPP funds have been exhausted, you can apply for unemployment through your state agency. 

Can You Choose the Start Date For the Loan?

You cannot choose the start date for the loan. The loan term begins the day you receive funds. 

Can a Small Business Include 1099 Employees in Their Payroll Calculations?

No, 1099 employees should not be included in a small business’s payroll calculations for their PPP loans. 1099 employees are considered their own businesses under the PPP. As of April 10, 2020, 1099 employees are eligible to apply for their own PPP loan. 

Why Does the Application Ask If You Have 1099 Employees If You Can’t Include Them?

Guidance for PPP loans asks if a small business was open as of February 15 and “had employees for whom it paid salaries and payroll taxes or paid independent contractors, as reported on Form(s) 1099-MISC.” 

Treasury guidance regarding 1099 employees pertains to eligibility. You need to either have employees who receive a salary or 1099 employees who you pay in order to qualify for the loan. It does not pertain to loan size calculations. 

Lendio strives to provide you with the most current information as it relates to the Paycheck Protection Program, related SBA programs, and relevant regulations. The rules and regulations governing these programs are being regularly clarified by the SBA, and other agencies. In some cases, the provided guidance may directly conflict with other competing guidance, laws, rules, or regulations. Due to these changes, Lendio cannot guarantee that the information contained in this page reflects new changes or updates.

Lendio advises you to review the SBA guidelines and regulations on your own and determine your Company’s best approach to receiving SBA loans. Lendio urges you to consult your own attorneys, lawyers, and consultants to make the best decision possible. The information contained herein should not be construed as legal or tax advice, and should not be relied upon as such.

You’ve reported your annual revenue, time in business, and credit score. You’ve provided bank statements, and you made it official by clicking “Submit” at the end of the Lendio application. If you’re anything like us, you may be refreshing your screen and wondering, “What comes next?”

We value transparency and giving business owners the power that comes from financial literacy, so we’re going to outline the steps to the best of our ability. “To the best of your ability,” you ask. “What does that mean?” Well, part of what makes our marketplace so special is that it relies on some pretty complicated tech to match you with the best options from our network of premium lenders. Because the experience is customized for each borrower, we can’t give a one-size-fits-all answer, but we can give you a general sense of what usually happens. So, where were we?

Step 1: Our Smart Application Matches You With Loans

After submitting an application, most borrowers will be matched with loan offers from our network of curated business lenders. Our tech analyzes your application and compares it against the 10+ loan products offered by the 75+ lenders in our network. In other words, our little internet robots do some pretty heavy administrative lifting to find you the loan offers you need as quickly as possible. 

In some cases, your application may not be a current fit for one of our lenders. If that happens, we’ll set you up with tools that can help you achieve the financing you need now and help you make your business more appealing to lenders down the road. Our mission is to fuel the American Dream, so you’ll never hear us say, “Tough luck.” 

Step 2: Funding Managers Provide Personal Attention and Expert Advice

“Every journey is a little different,” explains Kris Glaittli, Lendio’s Senior Director of Marketplace & RMT. For that reason, borrowers are then paired with funding managers, who are dedicated loan experts. After you’ve received your loan matches, you’ll probably receive a call from your funding manager. They’ll help you complete anything that’s missing from your application, and they’ll ask you some questions about your business. 

This information will help your funding manager better understand your financing needs so they can point you in the direction of the best financing option for you. “We really do try and match the borrower’s needs so it creates a unique experience,” Kris says. This call also allows your funding manager to address any potential red flags in your application. If you switched bank accounts a few months back or have any lawsuits, the funding manager will try to address it and make the case to the lender on your behalf. 

Step 3: Varies Based on the Lender

Once your funding manager has assessed your needs and helped you complete your application, the next steps vary from lender to lender. The order may change depending on the lender, but you can expect the following to (generally) happen:

• Your loan application will be submitted to the lenders
• The loan will go through the underwriting process
• You receive the loan offer from the lender
• You may have a phone call with the lender, called the merchant interview (if this happens, it’s usually right before funding)

Step 4: Receive a Decision

Finally, you’ll receive a decision from your lender. If you’re approved, you may receive funds in as little as 24 hours, depending on the loan type. If you’re denied, no sweat. You can still apply to other lenders without creating a new application. That’s the beauty of a marketplace.

Minority-owned businesses likely play a significant role in your local economy. According to the US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, there are over 4 million minority-owned businesses in the United States, with sales totaling $700 million. 

Over the last 10 years, these businesses accounted for 50% of the 2 million businesses started in the US, and they created 4.7 million jobs. Look around—the reason your city continues to grow is likely because of the success of these minority-owned small businesses.   

You can support minority-owned businesses as a consumer and as a business owner. Check out these 7 ways you can help them grow. 

1. Buy from them.

The easiest way to support a minority-owned business: buy their goods and services. Whether you’re shopping at a local coffee shop or hiring a florist for your wedding, you can choose to give your business to a minority-owned establishment. 

Supporting communities of color builds up diverse neighborhoods and furthers the pursuit of equitable prosperity. The money you spend here will not just help build diversity—it will also stay with local businesses, which furthers wealth within your community.

2. Skip services that take profits from companies.

This is a rule of thumb that applies to almost any small business: avoid using services like UberEats or Shipt when buying from minority-owned businesses. Instead, see if they have their own local delivery service or pick up the goods yourself instead. 

National services like DoorDash can take up to 30% of the profits on an order—meaning your support might not stretch as far as you planned. Buying local also includes shipping or delivering services. 

3. Promote their goods in your business.

If you work with different vendors to keep your business afloat, look for ways to hire minority-owned companies and promote their products. For example, a breakfast restaurant could serve coffee by a minority-owned roaster or pastries by a minority-owned baker. This partnership advertises their business, grows your selection, and spreads wealth across both of your businesses. 

4. Write online reviews for minority-owned businesses.

Feedback in the form of online reviews is one of the best ways for you to support a locally run minority-owned business.

If you had a great experience, leave a positive comment on Google, Yelp, Facebook, or other review sites. Share photos if you have them. This act might seem small, but you can increase their visibility online and help grow their business—plus it won’t cost you anything beyond a few minutes of your time.  

5. Sponsor a minority-owned business through the Chamber of Commerce.

According to the Minority Business Development Agency (part of the US Department of Commerce), there are almost 2.6 million Black-owned businesses in the United States. About 110,000 of them have employees. 

This statistic means that 96% of Black-owned businesses are individual entrepreneurs or partnerships without employees. These small businesses often miss out on networking opportunities because they can’t afford the fees associated with joining professional organizations or the local Chamber of Commerce. 

If you are involved in any dues-based organization, offer to sponsor a minority-owned business. This support gives these business owners seats at the table to reap the same benefits as larger, wealthier organizations in your area. 

6. Offer sliding scale services.

While the value of your services as a business owner remains the same, not everyone can afford to pay for what you do. Some service providers—like accountants, marketers, and web designers—offer a “pay what you can” program for nonprofits and minority-owned companies.

This flexibility can significantly benefit minority-owned business owners. For example, many small business owners also take on tasks related to their business’s accounting and taxes. If they had better bookkeeping or were able to take advantage of more tax opportunities, then they could become more profitable. Making your accounting services available in these scenarios could take the financial pressure off the owner and allow them to focus on growing their business.

Offering your services on a sliding scale can help you support minority-owned businesses that need your services but can’t afford them right now.  

7. Support internal workforce diversity.

You may not realize it, but prioritizing diversity in your workplace can help you support minority-owned businesses in your area. Your diverse employees support others in the community and can promote other minority-owned businesses not on your radar. A diverse workplace can also benefit your business: you gain fresh perspectives and new ideas when your team members come from different backgrounds. 

That being said, you should never expect your employees of color to serve as ambassadors to their communities or put the burden entirely on them to explain race-based issues to you. That would be an unfair request—and a responsibility that your white team members would never have to face. 

8. The Buy Black movement.

The #BuyBlack movement spotlights Black- and minority-owned businesses. “I became aware that many Black-owned businesses have purposely not shown their faces in fear of losing customers, this is me included,” Maggie Foster, CEO of ClaudeHome, a boutique design firm in NYC, told TeenVogue.  “I’m working on having anyone that has also felt this way to come together and have our photos taken so we can show the world our beautiful faces. As a Black person that has experienced racism and injustice throughout my life, I am so thankful to have the platform I do to spread awareness and educate others.”

“Buying Black” has become as much of a values-driven choice as buying green, shopping small, or buying American. My Black Receipt, an initiative started by Kezia Williams, hopes to turn buying Black from a trending hashtag into a longer-term movement by tracking purchases for Black-owned businesses. "When you invest and purchase from a Black-owned business, what you're really doing is strengthening the Black community," Williams told CNN. Consumers can upload their purchases into the database, which Williams and her team will use to track the impact of consumer spending on Black-owned businesses, as well as partner with organizations like Yelp to help people find minority-owned businesses more easily.

To find a local business to support, check directories like the one on My Black Receipt, BlackPages, or Official Black Wall Street. Other lists can be found by industry, like Bon Appetit’s list of Black-owned restaurants across the country or Beyonce’s Black Parade list.

If you do make a purchase, write a review. Online reviews matter nearly as much as word-of-mouth for online purchases, so writing a review on a platform of your choice can help make your purchase go that much further.

9. The 15% Pledge.

Supporting minority-owned businesses isn’t limited to consumer purchases. Evaluate your entire supply chain, from the influencers you follow to where you source your office supplies. 

That’s exactly why Aurora James, founder and creative director at accessories company Brother Vellies, created the 15% pledge. She called out Target, Sephora, Net-a-Porter, Walmart, Whole Foods, and Shopbop, among others, to diversify their suppliers. “This pledge is not prescriptive, because we understand that each business, each milestone, each change, is unique,” says the 15% Pledge website, urging businesses to “Define and publish a plan for growing the share of Black businesses you empower to at least 15%, alongside a concrete strategy by which you plan to stay accountable to and transparent around your commitment.”

The nonprofit spun out of a viral Instagram post in response to performative and empty social media campaigns made by retailers with no plans to change but eager not to be left behind by popular sentiment.

Sephora became the first major US retailer to take the pledge. Currently, out of 290 brands it offers, only 9 are Black-owned. “We are inspired to make the 15% Pledge because we believe it is the right thing to do," Artemis Patrick, Sephora's executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, told CNN. This move is part of a longer-term plan to change their supply chain and help more minority-owned businesses grow.

Rent the Runway also signed the pledge, telling the New York Times, “We’re collectively reckoning with the fact that for far too long, fashion has co-opted the style, inspiration, and ideas of Black culture without ensuring that the people behind the work are properly compensated.”

Often, word-of-mouth largely determines which brands show up on shelves. Merchandising teams often start with what they’re personally familiar with, and brands pick up steam from there. The important thing is not only giving shelf space but marketing and partnership space, too.

10. Invest in minority businesses.

The average entrepreneur is a 35-year-old white male with a degree from an elite university and the youngest of a wealthy family. Centuries of discrimination mean it’s less likely minorities have the kind of inherited generational wealth many white entrepreneurs tap into when they look to start a business. Research also shows that minorities are less likely to be approved for loans or receive investments due to lower collateral, location bias, and credit history.

In a survey released by Morgan Stanley in 2018, 80% of investors agreed that women- and minority-owned businesses received enough funding to run their businesses when only 18% said they “very frequently” review minority-owned businesses. 

Talk about a blind spot.

This blind spot is caused by several factors, with investors citing higher risks for businesses owned by minorities, lack of familiarity, and lack of access to traditional investors in the first place. “Multicultural and women-owned businesses could account for $6.8 trillion in gross receipts if they matched their percentage of the labor force and business revenues were equal to traditional firms,” states the report. “This would represent nearly 3x the current output, with a missed opportunity of $4.4 trillion.”

Everyone can do their part.

You don’t need to have a large business in your town or city to support minority-owned companies. By simply being cognizant of where you spend your money and who you support, you can elevate hard workers and impressive brands in your neighborhood.

Small businesses nationwide are struggling with the fallout from the coronavirus crisis. New research suggests that 50% of business owners have felt the effects, and nearly 40% report a decline in revenue. These negative trends were mainly chalked up to fewer customers visiting business locations, customers being more reluctant to make purchases, and customers having access to less disposable income.

Given the dire situation, the federal government is taking unprecedented action. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) will allocate $2 trillion for relief initiatives. Included in the package will be a one-time payment to many Americans. Individuals making up to $75,000 a year will receive a $1,200 payment. Married couples making no more than $150,000 will get $2,400, as well as a $500 payment for each child in their family.

SBA disaster loans get a boost.

In addition to the personal payments from the relief package, there are multiple benefits for small businesses in the CARES Act. These include:

• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): Get up to $10 million to cover payroll support expenses such as employee salaries, paid sick leave, paid medical leave, insurance premiums, mortgage payments, rent payments, and utility payments.
• Economic Injury and Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Loan Advance: These loans are specifically relevant in situations where your business didn’t suffer any physical damage but was harmed nonetheless. You can receive up to $2 million to cover expenses you would’ve been able to pay if the disaster hadn’t occurred. Because of the severity of the coronavirus pandemic, you can actually apply for an advance of up to $10,000.
• SBA Debt Relief: With this program, the SBA pays the principal and interest on new SBA 7(a) loans that are funded before September 25, 2020. If you have an existing SBA 7(a) loan, the SBA would pay the principal and interest for 6 months. Note that this benefit is limited to SBA 7(a) loans and wouldn’t be applicable for PPP loans or EIDLs.
• SBA Express Bridge Loan: With values up to $25,000, these loans require less paperwork and hit your bank account much faster than a typical SBA loan. This program is intended to deliver faster relief to those who need it.

Businesses can qualify for the expanded Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan program as long as they don’t employ more than 500 people. As with other SBA loans, this financing is not actually funded by the agency. Rather, the COVID-19 loans are facilitated by the SBA, and the money comes from banks and various independent lenders. The key element is that the SBA guarantees a portion of the loan, which lowers lenders’ risk and makes them more willing to work with those who have less-than-stellar credit history.

SBA small business loans are intended to help small business owners overcome the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic, so if you’ve struggled to make payroll, cover accounts payable, handle fixed debts, or pay your bills, you could qualify.

Finally, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act could also help you during this challenging time. This federal action bolsters unemployment benefits and creates rules for emergency paid sick leave impacted by the pandemic.

The regular lineup of SBA disaster loans.

Multiple other SBA emergency loans for small businesses are available. While the details vary, they are all intended to help a business after physical or economic damage is caused by a declared disaster.

An SBA disaster loan can be used to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory and business assets. But don’t go thinking that you could use one to expand your operations. The rules clearly state that it’s only intended to restore things to the way they were before the disaster.

Here’s a quick look at 3 different types of SBA disaster loans not directly related to federal action in response to the coronavirus crisis:

• Home and personal property loans

For those living in a declared disaster area and who have been victims of a disaster, there may be relief available through these loans. It’s worth noting that even though these loans are provided through the SBA, you don’t need to actually own a business to qualify.

• Business physical disaster loans

If your business or organization is within a declared disaster area and sustained damage during that disaster, you can apply for one of these loans. Common examples include a hurricane or flood. These loans provide up to $2 million and are intended to help you replace or restore any damaged property.

• Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loans

This loan is specifically earmarked for business owners who employ a military reservist called to active duty. In these situations, the SBA funding can help your business with operating expenses.

Current declared disasters.

In order to qualify for SBA assistance for more regionalized physical disasters, you will need to live in a designated disaster area.

You can search for Presidential and SBA declared disaster areas by state and territory with the SBA’s online database. Recent examples include flooding in Tennessee and Mississippi, wildfires in Hawaii, and Hurricane Idalia.

Once a Presidential disaster is declared in your area, you need to first register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). To get started, call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov.

After you’ve gotten a registration number from FEMA, you’re ready to complete your SBA online application. You’ll need to have the following information handy:

• Contact information for all applicants
• Social security numbers for all applicants
• FEMA registration number
• Deed or lease information
• Insurance information
• Financial information such as income, account balances, and monthly expenses
• Employer Identification Number for business applicants

The SBA will review your application and then send an inspector to do an onsite review and to estimate the cost of your damage. The SBA makes these disaster loans a priority, so you can expect to hear back on their decision within a few weeks.

One thing to note is that the most commonly cited reason for delays in the process is an incomplete application. With this in mind, spend a little extra energy making sure every detail is correct before you click submit.

Also, don’t wait for any insurance settlements before you file your loan application. This common delay can cause borrowers to miss the filing deadline. If a settlement is made after you’ve applied, you can simply add the final insurance information at that time.

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information when a story is published, the coronavirus pandemic and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) have caused details to change at a rapid pace. Additional guidance from the government may change or clarify certain aspects of the forgiveness process and could result in changes to the information contained in these pages. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the COVID-19 section of our website. For more information, you can call us at (855) 853-6346. Lendio is not responsible for and provides no warranty as to the accuracy of this content. Lendio does not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. The information and services Lendio provides should not be deemed a substitute for the advice of such professionals who can better address your specific concern and situation.