Camden, NJ – LAEDA met last month with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) Small Business Services team in order to learn more about the Authority’s new Microbusiness Loan Program and determine how it could work in tandem with LAEDA’s current entrepreneurship programs and counseling services.

Although we are only one month into the 2020, Forbes suggests that over 75% of people have already abandoned their New Year’s resolutions. At the LAEDA Women’s Business Academy, 13 individuals defy this statistic through their commitment to themselves and their small businesses.

Since 2020 is a leap year, we all get one extra day (February 29th) to enjoy. Will you use it to advance your business? We, at LAEDA, hope so! Therefore, Kat Harrison, LBSC Program Manager, offers a few recommendations for how to use this day as a way to move closer to your business goals. Also, don’t forget to share what you decided to do! On February 29th or March 1st, post a photo on Instagram or write a Facebook post with the hashtag #laedaempowers.

Jameca Jolly is the owner and CEO of Pour It Up, LLC. She is also a graduate of LAEDA’s Entrepreneurial Development Training Program. We had a chance to sit down with Ms. Jolly to ask about her experience with entrepreneurship and LAEDA's training program.

With the new year comes new opportunities, and this year is no exception at LAEDA. Beginning Spring 2020, LAEDA will begin accepting applications to the Lubert IDA Small Business Expansion Program on behalf of the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ). This program is an opportunity for participants to increase their assets and improve their financial stability by setting aside monthly savings for their businesses that UWGPSNJ matches. Thus, for every $10 an IDA participant puts into a business savings account, UWGPSNJ will deposit $20 in the account. Participants also receive financial literacy and small business expansion training, one-to-one counseling, and personal finance and money management educational classes. As a result of this comprehensive, free package of services, qualified small business owners can participate and receive up to $4500 to invest in the growth of their business.