Small Business and 911
There were so many casualties that day. My heart goes out to all the families who lost loved ones.
One casualty that rarely gets attention is what happened to the small businesses that closed because they couldn’t afford to pay their bills while the area near their stores was devastated by the attacks.
The Levin Institute for Entrepreneurship in New York City received a grant from the Kauffman Foundation to train thousands of small business owners through their Fast Track Program.
The goal was to help them start businesses and grow existing businesses to help the local economy. It was free to participants. What a deal.
I had the honor of being in the first class of certified facilitators for that program. It’s hard to imagine that was thirteen years ago.
Small Business Owners that Thrived
Many of the small business owners are still in touch with me.
Amy Noelle of Sugar Flower Cake Shop went from being an actuary,
to being a national figure in elite cake baking and decorating.
(Yes, that photo is a cake with sugar flowers made by hand. It’s all edible except the urn. Unbelievable.)
Michelle Ward of “When I Grow Up Coach” has become a sought after speaker.
Frances Pelzman Liscio of “Punks and Roses” just had one of her spectacular botanical prints published on the cover of Wellesley Magazine.
There are so many more successful small business owners.
I am so proud to know them.
In the acknowledgement section of my book, Accounting for the Numberphobic, A Survival Guide for Small Business Owners, AMACOM Books,
I said that they are the inspiration hidden between the pages.
They are and always will be.
I pray a safe remembrance to all in our wonderful city.
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