Description

It seems like a time of chaos, especially for small businesses.  Trying to remain open and pay employees is an ongoing challenge, but the Small Business Administration can provide assistance to new businesses or established companies that are struggling.   Wayne Bell, District Director of the Wichita SBA, joins hosts Don and Ebony to talk about the programs that the SBA makes available to support all small businesses, from sole proprietorships to companies with up to 500 employees.  On this episode we discuss:

• The types of services that the SBA provides and where to get in touch with them
• How the SBA serves businesses in all parts of their life cycle
• The purpose behind the SBA
• Initial steps you can take to get an SBA loan
• The atmosphere around the SBA when a pandemic shut down the country
• The success and challenges around the PPP
• How to define a small business
• The Restaurant Revitalization Fund
• The challenge of getting people back to work
• Benefits of current SBA loans

Learn more about the SBA:

www.sba.gov

Facebook Profile

Instagram Profile

Twitter Profile

LinkedIn Profile

Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. The SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capiOver the years, the SBA has developed many small business loan and assistance programs, special outreach efforts and initiatives to aid and inform small businesses. The following describes briefly all the services and information available through the Wichita office:

• Financial assistance for new or existing businesses through guaranteed loans made by area bank and non-bank lenders.
• Free counseling, advice and information on starting, better operating or expanding a small business through (SCORE) Counselors and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) network to America’s Small Business.
• Assistance to businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals through the Minority Enterprise Development Program.
• Women's Business Ownership Representatives are available to advise women business owners.
• Special loan programs are available for businesses involved in international trade.
• If you're a veteran, you can get business counseling and information about SBA guaranteed loans, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses.

Wayne Bell is the District Director for the Wichita Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Wayne has been in this role since October 27, 2008. His professional background includes extensive experience in public and private sectors, combined with a thorough understanding of the small business environment in Kansas. Prior to SBA, Mr. Bell served as Administrative Officer for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the US Department of Homeland Security at Wichita Mid-Continent Airport. With TSA he managed human resources, customer service, stakeholder relations, purchasing, and IT contract services for Kansas. Before federal employment, Mr. Bell held leadership positions at Beech Aircraft, Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, and with private manufacturing firms in Hutchinson, Kansas. He also gained experience in small business as a partner in a Wichita-based service firm. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Mr. Bell attended Wichita State University (WSU) and earned both an Executive MBA and Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology.

Thanks for listening, be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!

Join the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce!

This podcast is brought to you by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce and is powered by Evergy.  To send feedback on this show and/or send suggestions for future guests or topics please e-mail communications@wichitachamber.org.

This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network.  For more information visit ictpod.net