In this Must Know…
- Tribute to Independent Entrepreneurs
- Summer Advocacy Opportunities
- The Goodies – This week’s highlight is a downloadable version of “Tech Tools: Bringing Business Assistance into the Future.” Learn how several of your peers are developing products and services to respond to our rapidly changing world.
Tribute to Independent Entrepreneurs
CAMEO has been working to call attention to the needs of independent entrepreneurs and the self-employed for a while. So we are glad to hear that people are listening and discussing how to ensure that they are successful.
Earlier this month, members of the Committee on Small Business heard testimony from a panel of experts and small business owners on the relationship between millennials and the gig economy; specifically, the increasing number of millennials pursuing careers in the gig economy, and how this trend is impacting small business.
This notion of short term, contractual workers dates back centuries, but has been re-envisioned with the inclusion of technology. The gig economy is characterized by the use of technology as a means of connecting workers to employers…, but also to provide low cost marketing and basic business tools to those working within the gig economy.— Chairman Steve Chabot (R-OH)
Chairman Chabot outlines the benefits of the gig economy, but there are challenges, too. In honor of the July 4th holiday, we posted a blog about the opportunities and challenges that face these entrepreneurs – “Viva American Independence! Viva American Independent Entrepreneurs.”
And if you’re looking for some summer reading, Sarah Kessler, a deputy editor of Quartz At Work, has written Gigged: The End of the Job and the Future of Work. To give you a taste, read an exerpt of Gigged.
Happy 4th!
Summer Advocacy Opportunities
CAMEO advocates every day for micro-businesses and you – the people who serve them. It’s a long game, as we proved this year with a success in the state budget. We also actively promote our agenda on Capitol Hill and yes, with the Administration. However, any successful advocacy effort also includes direct communications between constituents and their elected officials. That is where you come in. Your engagement with lawmakers in your home districts can make all the difference.
This summer is a great time for advocacy. On July 9th, your state legislators will be in the district for a month and in August, your federal legislators will be in the district. To help with that advocacy, Prosperity Now is kicking off its first Camp Prosperity on July 9 as a free, virtual learning and networking opportunity. This won’t be your typical advocacy training. Included in this program are summer camp-inspired activities, learning opportunities, participatory prizes and more. Help us amplify our voice and build lasting change for the microbusiness sector.
Our MSGI team in DC has created a CAMEO Recess packet for your federal visits with an emphasis on funding the PRIME program. Feel free to contact Heidi with any questions.
The Goodies
New opportunities for training, conference information, funding, scholarships, and other information that have crossed our desks since the last Must Know. I have posted a running tab of current Industry Goodies on the CAMEO website that lists items that were in past emails. Check it out to make sure you’re not missing anything, like grants whose deadlines are still alive!
CAMEO Webinar: Technology is changing EVERYTHING. Including business assistance. Our members are having innovative responses to the changing landscape. Learn how several of your peers are developing products and services to respond to the rapid changes in the economy and society. Listen to “Tech Tools: Bringing Business Assistance into the Future.”
Member Kudos: California FarmLink has evolved its online platform to help hundreds of farmers access land and learn about business, financing, and land tenure. Check out their new website and connect your farmer friends and clients!
In the News: H.R. 4743, the Small Business 7(a) Lending Oversight Reform Act, was passed and will increase the SBA’s oversight authority over the 7(a) Loan Program and make small business lending more sustainable.
New Report: The SBA Office of Advocacy Research release “Why Do Businesses Close“, using U.S. Census Bureau data, and found that over the last 25 years, about 7–9 percent of employer firms close every year and a slightly higher share open. Many reasons for closing are personal.
Free Webinar: Businesses for Responsible Tax Reform invites you and your clients to a slate of webinars in the coming month to help small business owners understand what the tax law means to them. It’s been nearly six months since the tax law was passed, but many small business owners still have little idea how the law will actually impact their business because the IRS has yet to issue rules about how key components will be implemented. Join the webinar on Monday, July 2 at 6:00-6:30pm PT.
Professional Conference: Save the date for OFN’s 2018 Western Regional Meeting July 18 in Denver at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City – Denver Branch.
Grant Opportunity: With the support of JPMorgan Chase, NALCAB (National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders) will provide grants of $40,000 – $50,000, technical assistance, and training to up to ten non-profit organizations for a period of 18 months to develop and implement data- and community-driven action plans for equitable development. Plans will prevent involuntary displacement and increase access to wealth generating assets for low-income communities through strategies including, but not limited to, affordable housing and/or commercial real estate development, policy development and advocacy, affordable housing and/or small business lending, housing services and programs, small business development, and community engagement. Download the Request for Proposals: Equitable Neighborhood Development Planning. The deadline is August 5, 2018.
Professional Conference: Join Prosperity Now’s 2018 Prosperity Summit on September 5-7, 2018 in Maryland.
Got Federal Funds: The US General Services Administration has changed their policies regarding the online System for Award Management. As of April 27th, all users must submit a notarized letter naming an Entity Administrator to the Federal Services Desk in order to activate their sam.gov registration. Any organization applying for federal or state funding through grants.gov is required to have a current registration with sam.gov in order to submit their application, so make sure to check your account! More information, including a template for the notarized letter, click the link.