Brooklyn's Progress
October/November 2007

BY KHADIJA BATUTA

After nearly two years of connecting small business owners to financing and helping them succeed in their visions to improve their lives and communities, Daniel Fisher, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s financing expert, has moved on. Mr. Fisher left the Chamber, Aug. 10, to pursue an MBA from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business – with an eye on entrepreneurship.

“The Chamber is about connecting business owners to the resources they need to grow their business, and I have thoroughly enjoyed helping Chamber Members and other entrepreneurs get access to the financial services that help them succeed,” said Mr. Fisher.  “Chamber Members have inspired me with their creativity, enterprising spirit and dedication to the business community at large.  I'm looking forward to further developing my skills and knowledge of business at NYU in order to become an even better resource for businesses and eventually to join the business community as an entrepreneur.”

Financing Force
Mr. Fisher joined the Chamber in Dec. 2005 as the financial services director for the Brooklyn office of NYC Business Solutions, a mayoral initiative that delivers the services of the New York City Department of Small Business Services to each of the five boroughs.  He worked with small business owners and entrepreneurs to assess their financial needs, assist with the preparation of their loan packages and connect them with lenders – both traditional and alternative – likely to provide them financing.

In fact, Mr. Fisher directly helped more than 77 small business owners access over $3.3 million in financing, and also provided technical assistance related to financing and business plan development to hundreds of business owners.

“Getting a business loan for a start up restaurant when you have no experience is not easy,” said Gary Jonas, owner of The Farm on Adderley, a seasonal New American bar and restaurant at 1108 Cortelyou Road in south Brooklyn.  Mr. Jonas explained that Daniel put him at ease from the very start of their first meeting.  “Daniel Fisher greeted and welcomed me with a huge smile when I met with him at the Solutions Center. He first took the time to read my business plan.  He then gave me some great recommendations to make my loan package more favorable to banks.  Finally he put me in contact with the right people that led to my getting financing for our project.  Daniel was a great resource for us and I wish him the best of luck.”

The Chamber is actively seeking a financial services director. In the interim, for assistance with your business financing needs, please contact Carlos Russell, Business Counselor, Brooklyn Business Solutions Center at 718-875-3400.