Small Business Advising + Office Hours
Hot Bread Kitchen Virtual Office Hours
Office hours will now be conducted via Google Hangouts. Please click here to book time with Program Director Caroline Mak.
Start Small Think Big
Standing “virtual” office hours held 4pm to 5pm, Monday through Friday.
More information and dial-in number
Columbia Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Request an appointment with an Advisor
Business Recommendations + Resources
In order to stay up-to- date on the rapidly evolving situation, we suggest all businesses do the following:
- Retain your financial statements from first and second quarter, 2019. Ensure that you are following appropriate financial record keeping protocols so that you can show sales losses for the current period(s).
- Complete the NYC Small Business Services survey here.
Other Resources
- NYC Hospitality Alliance Newsletter: information most pertinent for those with brick-and-mortar locations
- Delivery Driver Safety & Sanitation Protocol (via restaurant Dig Inn)
- New York Empire State Development website has a comprehensive list of resources
- Open letter from the Five Borough Chamber Alliance
- Resources from Google on how to manage your business through periods of uncertainty
Upcoming Webinars
- 3/25 and 3/27: SCORE: Webinar on social distancing & how to build digital relationships with your customers
Funds + Loans
NYC Small Business Assistance:
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on March 8 that the City will provide relief for small businesses across the City seeing a reduction in revenue because of COVID-19. Businesses with fewer than 100 employees who have seen sales decreases of 25% or more will be eligible for zero interest loans of up to $75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit.
The City is also offering small businesses with fewer than 5 employees a grant to cover 40% of payroll costs for two months to help retain employees. Eligible owners who would like to learn more about these programs should fill out the interest form here.
More information about resources from NYC can be found here.
U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for qualifying small businesses.
More information and application instructions
SBA Disaster Factsheet
New York State’s Guide on How to Apply for SBA Disaster Loans
Facebook Business Grants
Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses. Sign up for updates here.