Entrepreneurship and Small Business

Entrepreneurship and Small Business

Small and emerging businesses generate wealth and provide a significant source of employment in many communities. In Tribal communities, these businesses are vital in supporting community and cultural identity. It is important for Tribal economic development strategies to dedicate resources to developing and promoting new business start-ups and establishing effective support systems so businesses can grow successfully. Below are tools and resources to help Tribal communities meet the needs of their entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurship and Small Business

Small and emerging businesses generate wealth and provide a significant source of employment in many communities. In Tribal communities, these businesses are vital in supporting community and cultural identity. It is important for Tribal economic development strategies to dedicate resources to developing and promoting new business start-ups and establishing effective support systems so businesses can grow successfully. Below are tools and resources to help Tribal communities meet the needs of their entrepreneurs.

 

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA is the federal agency fully dedicated to small businesses and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise. Typically, the SBA does not award grants to assist small businesses but rather provides assistance through loans. The Office of Native American Affairs’ (Small Business Administration Office of Native American Affairs) goal is to promote and support Native American entrepreneurs through outreach activities including Tribal consultations and participation in national economic development conferences. ONAA provides entrepreneurial empowerment workshops through contracted consultants RedWind and Sister Sky, Inc.

 

INDIANPRENEURSHIP® Training

ONABEN designed a robust training curriculum that incorporates indigenous values and traditional entrepreneurship training. The Indianpreneurship® curriculum is based on principles and a philosophy that has grown out of efforts of people who are committed to helping Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian people take advantage of the opportunities inherent in entrepreneurship.

 

Other Resources for Starting a Small Business:

 

Access to Capital

Access to capital is one of the top needs for starting a business.  How you choose to fund your business could affect how you structure and run your business. There are many government programs to help but there are also other programs to consider.  Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) can help.  CDFIs in the USET Region include:

Visit the Native CDFI Network’s website to learn more about Native CDFIs in your region.

 

Initiatives and Calls to Actions

Are you a USET member Tribal citizen and have a small business? We would love to hear from you! Please contact Rebecca Naragon or complete our spotlight questionnaire.

 

Spotlight on Small Businesses

Nation citizen entrepreneurship is an important element in supporting the growth of self-sustaining Tribal Nation economies, communities, and families. Entrepreneurship can help establish economic independence on Tirbal Nation homelands.  And having entrepreneurial diversity strengthened the business landscape of the diversity of technology and innovation.

About me and my business: We are Sugar Kelp Farmers. Sugar Kelp seaweed farming aligns us with our history, culture and traditions. It also sequesters carbon and captures nitrogen, producing oxygen. We are a seed to sale, multigenerational collective of six indigenous women addressing climate crisis.

My tip for online growth/audience engagement: Posting, outreach, follow up. We network with like minded scholars, ecologists, environmentalist, land back advocates and water protectors that support our efforts to save Mother Earth

My advice: Be in alignment with Creator, attract like minded allies, build partnerships, consider and protect sovereignty in all you do.

Where to find me: Yes events are key to our educational initiatives and success of our messaging and product marketing, but we are not scheduled as yet.

About me and my business: My Name is Justine Osceola. I’m a Seminole Indian woman on a mission to provide the best soaps Mother Earth could offer. I love to teach & encourage self love & self care beginning with our cleansing routine.

My tip for online growth/audience engagement: My best tip for online growth is to keep networking. Creating engagement through emails & posts to keep your audience updated on your products also helps. I personally love to engage with my followers in person & through events where I can meet & greet and have a real in person experience!

My advice: My best advice for aspiring Native entrepreneurs is to do what you love! Believe in yourself & start now… Ready or not! Let’s take action daily towards our goals and surely we will move forward with success!

Where to find me: I’ve already started this year kicking off with Earth Day 2022 at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum On The Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation. Also I’ll be attending the Gathering Of Nations Powwow In Albuquerque New Mexico. My first big events since Covid began!

Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 25, 2023, is Small Business Saturday—a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for our communities. This year, we know the small businesses need our support now more than ever as they continue to navigate, retool, and pivot from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.