Blog

MBDA Acting National Director Chris Garcia spoke at the National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP) 28th Annual Pension and Financial Services Conference in Los Angeles, CA. Director Garcia recognized NASP contribution to minority business enterprises, "the founders of NASP, including the late Mr. Travers Bell and Mr. Maynard Jackson, understood that Black and minority pioneers on Wall Street had a unique and dual obligation. Their obligation was not just to make money and provide greater opportunity for their families, but also to structure deals that would create greater...

MBDA Acting National Director Chris Garcia, MBDA staff and members of the Orange Line Development Authority Eco-Rapid Transit gathered to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during a special signing ceremony in South Gate, California on June 29. The MOU enables MBDA and Eco-Rapid Transit to work together to create and identify significant economic opportunities for minority business enterprises (MBEs), share information,  and provide MBEs with professional business development assistance through MBDA’s national network of business centers. Eco-Rapid Transit’s mission is to pursue the...

The numbers don’t lie. From start-ups and C-Suites to tech firms and beyond … women of color are making significant strides in the business world. In fact, data from the U.S. Census’ 2012 Survey of Business Owners shows that women of color are the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs in the U.S.

For many minority business enterprises (MBEs), access to financial capital is critical for growth and sustainability. However, access to educational resources, human capital and professional networks is also vital to securing their dream of entrepreneurship and long-term career success...

I’m Sophia He, an intern with the Minority Business Development Agency, and my days are spent doing some pretty interesting things. I was given an assignment to call small businesses that were recently awarded up to $225K in commercialization grant funding from Federal Government Laboratories to see if they had any advice to share with other business owners. I was hesitant to call at first, but after I got going, I learned a lot and was provided with some very useful information.

The funding they received is from Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants. You see, each year,...

Guest blog post by Melvin Tabilas Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

As a Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce, I serve as a liaison with Congress, federal agencies, state and local government, and other stakeholders.

I was born and raised on the island of Guam, a U.S. territory in the Pacific. I graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and earned a...

Due to their cultural ties, language skills and nimbleness, Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) have a competitive advantage in global trade; and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is committed to working with U.S. companies to help American-made goods and services succeed in the global market.

In 2016, MBDA announced a five year, $5 million investment to establish four export centers located in Chicago, Miami, Sacramento, and San Antonio.

These MBDA Export Centers are experts at identifying, screening, promoting, and referring MBEs to resources that may assist...

Founded on a dream and a mission, woman and minority-owned company DevMar Products, LLC embodies environmental initiatives that are designed to help sustain the planet for generations to come.

In 2007, Sharon W. Reynolds, President and CEO of the company, launched DevMar Products with an idea to distribute environmentally-friendly products, including green cleaning solutions and office products. Today, she is particularly excited about two innovative products with disinfecting absorbing qualities and the world’s first oil-only, hydrophobic ceramic floor sweep.

Located in...

In 1910 Madam C.J. Walker opened her Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company in Indianapolis to manufacture her hugely successful line of hair and beauty products for African-Americans. She would go on to become the first self-made woman millionaire in the nation and a trailblazer in the minority business community. More than 100 years later, her spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation is touching a new generation of minority entrepreneurs, specifically through a partnership between the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and the Walker’s Legacy Organization.

Inspired by...

Updated June 20, 2018

Marketing is everything these days, and if your business is successful enough to hire a marketing firm, that’s great. But it takes years of hard work for most companies to get to that point. So what do you do in the interim? How do you get exposure to propel your firm to the next level?

Start by nominating yourself for business awards. Here’s what you have to gain:

1. Sales: Selling your products and services in today's competitive marketplace is tough. A business award or nomination can serve as a 3rd party

...

The San Antonio MBDA Export Center is leading a business development trip to Mexico City during the week of March 20th!

The Center will bring some qualified and export-ready clients to explore opportunities to expand their reach into the Mexican market.

The MBDA Export Center will continue to schedule business development trips to other mayor markets in Latin America to be able to assist directly larger minority owned firms to tap into global markets and also to expand into new international markets.

As an example, one of the clients is

...

Businesses often ask: “If I comply with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, am I complying with what the FTC requires?” Maybe you read our blog explaining how the NIST Cybersecurity Framework relates to the FTC’s work on data security? Now, check out this related video featuring Andrea Arias, an attorney in the FTC’s Division of Privacy and Identity Protection.

Watch the video to learn how the NIST Framework aligns with the FTC’s law enforcement actions and...

Financial technology remains a hot topic for consumers, offering the possibilities of increased convenience and access to financial services at a lower cost. As part of its FinTech Forum series, the FTC continues to promote public discussion of the ways in which innovative FinTech services – many provided by non-banks and technology companies within the FTC’s jurisdiction – can benefit consumers and the potential issues for stakeholders to keep in mind. Like the first FinTech...

This week is National Consumer Protection Week, but what the FTC does to protect consumers is only part of the story. We also work hard to help small business get down to business. Here are just a few examples of what we’re doing to protect your business from deceptive practices.

Fighting fraud that targets small business.  Scammers have smaller companies in their sights. The FTC has gone to court to challenge the conduct of telemarketers who claimed to offer...

The highest-level foreign direct investment event in the United States is only months away and registration is open! The 2017 SelectUSA Investment Summit happens June 18-20 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in the Washington, D.C. area.

Here are the top five reasons to attend:

1. Learn about the U.S. business and investment climate from senior government leaders;
2. Meet face to face with hundreds of economic development organizations and thousands of potential investors in one place;
...

Now that W-2’s are arriving, it’s time to consider how to stay safe from tax season scams. Every year, unfortunate taxpayers go to file their returns and are shocked to find that someone else has filed a fraudulent one in their name! Some innocent people also receive fraudulent phone calls from criminals impersonating tax officials. Sadly, tax fraud has only become more widespread and digital communication has opened new ways for it to happen.

While the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reports on multiple tax-payer related scams, and even publishes a "Dirty Dozen" list, three...

Saturday, Feb. 11 is National Inventor's Day according to www.nationalcalendarday.org - what better time to research what you need to get that brilliant idea patented and business started - here's how to get started:

Step 1: Determine the type of Intellectual Property protection that you need - To protect your invention, you may need a patent, trademark, copyright, marketing plan, trade secrets, or some combination of these. 

Step 2: Determine if your invention is...

1. Education vs Experience

In this case, experience trumps education. When choosing your successor, look for candidates who have real world experience. The appropriate experience allows for impromptu mitigation for any crises, budget cuts, and managing overall workplace culture.  These individuals are solution-oriented and will be able to resolve issues without extensive oversight.

2. Look from Within

Studies reveal that internal staff are more likely to be successful than external candidates. It is important to weigh the pros...

Learn about identity theft, new imposter scams targeting businesses, cybersecurity practices to reduce your risk, data breach avoidance and response, and free resources to help you protect your business, employees, and customers.
 
Speakers from the FTC and IRS will discuss:

• How businesses can avoid being victims of ID theft
• How businesses can protect themselves and their customers
• Who to contact/what to do if they suspect they are a victim of ID theft
• Ways IRS and FTC are combating ID theft
• Lessons from FTC
...

U.S. companies are at the forefront of a wide array of manufacturing technologies essential to the global manufacturing supply chain. Join the U.S. Commercial Service and the Arizona District Export Council for Discover Global Markets: Advanced Manufacturing and transform market potential into international sales.

One-on-One Meetings with U.S. Commercial Diplomats

Whether for new export opportunities, help in overcoming challenges, or general questions, pre-schedule meetings with U.S. commercial diplomats who specialize in multiple advanced...

Recruitment for the SBA’s Emerging Leaders 2017 training cycle is now underway at selected and we’re looking for interested small businesses.Since 2008, Emerging Leaders has trained more than 4,000 promising small business owners in underserved communities, and continues its impact in helping small business owners grow and create jobs.

 How Emerging Leaders Works:  Emerging Leaders is a FREE executive-level training program that provides tools and...

Hannover Messe – the world’s leading industrial technology trade show – will take place on April 24 – 28 2017. SelectUSA will again lead a robust delegation to the event, and host the U.S. Investment Pavilion in Hall 3. 

Hannover Messe 2017 – the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology – is just around the corner.  Once again, the United States Investment Pavilion will provide a platform for U.S. economic development organizations to showcase their regions to thousands of potential investors. More information, including pricing and registration information...

Only a few more days of indulgent holiday gatherings, vacation, and movie marathons before it is time to commit to your New Year's Resolutions of eating better, exercising more, and flossing every day. For those of us running a business, or thinking of starting a business, the New Year is also a great time to make a few business-minded resolutions. Here are our top six #BizGoals suggestions:

1. Learn to delegate. Even if you are a one-person business, figure out what you can outsource. This will allow you to focus on managing and growing your business.  ...

This year, MBDA reached new milestones creating along the way important initiatives and programs that supported the continued growth of minority business enterprises (MBEs) within an innovation-driven economy.

Please review several milestones that MBDA marked in 2016:

MBDA Invested $13.9 Million to Assist Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) with Growing their Companies 

Grants to fund a nationwide network of MBDA Business Centers, and American Indian and Alaska Native Business Centers, were...

They’re the backbone of the U.S. economy and an elite group of risk takers, innovators, and job creators. Entrepreneurs are the key drivers of the U.S. economy, particularly minority business enterprises (MBEs).  According to the U.S. Census Survey of Business Owners, there are 8 million MBEs in the U.S. who generate total gross revenues exceeding $1.4 trillion. These numbers reflect a 38 percent increase between 2007 and 2012.

To ensure this growth trend continues well into the future, communities and federal agencies, must continue to invest their resources in the training and...