Brooklyn's Progress
April/May 2005

When Brooklyn business woman Nekhena Evans asked ACCION New York’s Business Advisory Services team to help her polish her entry for the NYC Women’s Business Awards, she didn’t expect to walk out of City Hall six months later with a prize in hand.  But after many advising sessions to budget, strategize and perfect a comprehensive application, Ms. Evans emerged victorious, accepting her hard-earned award from Mayor Bloomberg himself.

ACCION New York is a non-profit organization that provides business loans up to $50,000 and advisory services to those without access to traditional sources of credit.  Last year, more than 200 Brooklyn business owners like Ms. Evans received over $1.5 million in loans, thanks largely to generous support from ACCION New York’s partners including the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and the NYC Business Solutions Center-- one of the Bloomberg Administration’s major initiatives for small businesses.  The donation of office space for Brooklyn Lending Team meetings and office hours, in addition to direct client referrals, has allowed ACCION New York to further extend its reach into the Brooklyn business community.   

“At ACCION New York we strive to provide our clients with resources for their businesses beyond the initial loan,” says Diana Dezso, Director of Business Advisory Services.  “In Nekhena’s case, we knew the award would do great things for her business and we made sure we were there for support.”  Clients can turn to the Business Advisory Services team at ACCION New York for on-going, one-on-one support and training on topics such as cash-flow management, recordkeeping, and credit management and repair.

ACCION New York is especially dedicated to providing women like Ms. Evans with the tools necessary for growing a strong business as part of its Women’s Microenterprise Initiative.  “Historically, women have lacked access to financial and business resources,” says Ms. Dezso.  “By increasing our outreach efforts to women, we hope to put loans and business advisory services well within their reach.”

Those interested in learning more about ACCION New York’s loans and Business Advisory Services can stop by the organization’s weekly office hours held at the NYC Business Solutions Center on 9 Bond St. every Wednesday, or call 212-387-0494 for more information.  For more information on the NYC Business Solutions Center call 311 or log on to www.nyc.gov/smallbiz.