Who We Serve
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, LA21 has focused on helping small businesses survive by educating and
assisting them in accessing grant and loan programs available through various government and private sources.
LA21 has done this through social media promotion, educational webinars with partners including the SBA and
FINANTA (Community First Fund), and one-on-one technical assistance. This outreach and support has deepened
our relationships within the community, as well as our understanding of the needs of small business. We have
built a sense of trust among business owners in the city.
The Process
This initial 90-minute virtual session is an introduction to basic change concepts and strategies. The presentation helps you understand what you need to consider to effectively navigate transitions and start making the kind of change you desire and is a prerequisite for our other offerings.
Step 1 – Deep Dive
During this step, a small business Recovery Coach works with a business owner to gain an understanding of current
strengths and weaknesses and to develop a project plan to capitalize on or minimize them. Alternative revenue
streams and distribution methods will also be explored. The coach and business owner will develop a prioritized
/Action plan.
Step 2 – Provide Specific Technical Expertise
In this step, we bring expertise and resources to the business owner and begin to implement the priorities of the
recovery plan. A Navigator Coach works to secure the needed technical expertise through LA21’s resource
network and is essentially the guide of the business owner. We believe the needs of most businesses will fall into
multiple of the following categories:
- Managing Change
- Bookkeeping/Accounting
- Building or Fixing Credit
- Cash Flow Projections/Analysis
- Customer Acquisition
- Digital Marketing
- Legal
- Licenses & Registrations
- PPP Forgiveness; EIDL payments
- Tax
We also recognize that as the new normal becomes clearer, we may need to adjust or expand technical assistance
expertise.
Step 3 – Recovery
As small business moves through the recovery phase, we believe on-going support is critical to their continued
progress. While this step is a work in process, our current thinking includes Business Ambassadors who will keep
in touch with client businesses, provide ad hoc, day to day support, and bring client issues and obstacles back to
LA21, so we can continue to address key needs and success factors.