NAWBO Events and Membership Updates

NAWBO Cbus COVID-19 Survey Report

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), there were more than 306,000 women-owned businesses generating approximately $29 billion in revenues and contributing $9.5 billion in payroll annually, and creating 330,000 jobs in Ohio. To better understand the needs and impact of COVID-19 for this sector of Ohio’s economy, women business owners (WBOs) were invited to complete a survey sponsored by NAWBO Columbus and conducted by Measurement Resources Company during the first two weeks of May 2020. The purpose of the survey was to understand the impacts and the current needs of women-owned business as a result of COVID-19. The following report highlights the survey findings, which is representative of 78 WBOs.

Survey Results:  NAWBO Columbus COVID-19 Survey REPORT

Virtual Programming

NAWBO Columbus is supporting and connecting members through a variety of virtual programming. For a complete list go to: https://nawbocbus.org/calendar-of-events/

 

POSTPONED:

2020: A New Decade for Women in Business

Tuesday, May 19, 2020 from 5:30 – 7:30PM at the Riffe Gallery

 

April Events:

We are postponing the April 9th Monthly Luncheon at The Boat House with Kimmi Wernli. We’ll make sure you get to hear from Kimmi at a later date.

Additionally, we will not be hosting Women, Wisdom & Wine as planned in April. We traditionally host this event focused on membership recruitment during our bi-annual membership drive. If you have friends and colleagues who should be a part of our community, now is a great time to join because:

  • All new NAWBO Columbus members who join between March 1 and April 30 will be entered in a drawing for a $100 Southwest Airlines gift card!
  • New members who join NAWBO during this time receive $45 off the one-time new member initiation fee in honor of our 45th anniversary.
  • The first 100 new members who join will receive $25 off registration for NAWBO Advocacy Day in honor of the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.

To Join go to: https://www.nawbo.org/membership

For questions on membership connect with: Arien Lawless, Membership and Partner Engagement Coordinator, arien@nawbocolumbusohio.com, 614-636-2926.

NAWBO Columbus will continue to serve as a trusted resource for you and your business. I’ve been in touch with the regional office for the Small Business Administration (SBA).  While we don’t have any specific details yet, we will share any information that comes from them related to potential economic relief for small business owners.

We are postponing the April 9th Monthly Luncheon at The Boat House with Kimmi Wernli. We’ll make sure you get to hear from Kimmi at a later date.

Additionally, we will not be hosting Women, Wisdom & Wine as planned in April. We traditionally host this event focused on membership recruitment during our bi-annual membership drive. If you have friends and colleagues who should be a part of our community, now is a great time to join because:

  • All new NAWBO Columbus members who join between March 1 and April 30 will be entered in a drawing for a $100 Southwest Airlines gift card!
  • New members who join NAWBO during this time receive $45 off the one-time new member initiation fee in honor of our 45th anniversary.
  • The first 100 new members who join will receive $25 off registration for NAWBO Advocacy Day in honor of the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.

To Join go to: https://www.nawbo.org/membership

For questions on membership connect with: Arien Lawless, Membership and Partner Engagement Coordinator, arien@nawbocolumbusohio.com, 614-636-2926.

NAWBO Columbus will continue to serve as a trusted resource for you and your business. I’ve been in touch with the regional office for the Small Business Administration (SBA).  While we don’t have any specific details yet, we will share any information that comes from them related to potential economic relief for small business owners.

Resources for Small Businesses During COVID-19 Disruptions

Small Business Relief Grant program opens Monday, November 2nd

The Small Business Relief Grant is designed to provide relief to Ohio businesses that have been negatively affected by COVID-19.

Governor Mike DeWine has designated up to $125 million of funding received by the State of Ohio from the federal CARES Act to provide $10,000 grants to small businesses to help them through the current crisis. The program, which will begin accepting applications November 2, 2020, will be administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency.

Click here for more information on how to apply.

Download Small Business Relief Grant Fact Sheet PDF.

Save Small Business Fund

The Save Small Business Fund is a grantmaking initiative offering short-term relief for small employers in the United States and its territories.  To see if you qualify and for more information click HERE

Delaware County Assistance Programs

Delaware County announces the first phase of assistance programs for its residents and business owners. Applicants can apply HERE and click on the COVID-19 link.

Emergency Business Lending

SBA LOANS:

The Treasury Department just released guidance on the terms of the SBA loans under the CARES Act passed this week. Terms of the loans are as follows:

  • Interest rate of 0.5%
  • Maturity of 2 years
  • First payment deferred for six months
  • 100% guarantee by SBA
  • No collateral
  • No personal guarantees
  • No borrower or lender fees payable to SBA

To access the application for the SBA 7a CARES Act loans- Borrower Paycheck Protection Program Application (v1).

Note also that the treasury is expecting to only allow 25% of the amount of the loan that is forgiven to be comprised of rent, utilities, group health care benefits, sick leave, insurance premiums and other obligations. Said another way, 75% of the amount of the loan that is forgiven has to come from payroll costs.

 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has released information for small businesses and nonprofits to obtain low interest, 30-year loans to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for nonprofits is 2.75%.

Three Step Process SBA_Disaster Loans 

Business Continuity/Strategy

IRS issued FAQs- Regarding the Employee Retention Credit under the CARES Act

IRS FAQs – Employee Retention Credit

A few key observations provided by Benesch Law:

  • The FAQs confirm that the maximum credit for an Eligible Employer for qualified wages paid to any employee is $5,000 (based on 50% of $10,000, which is the maximum qualified wages allowed to be taken into account)
  •  I’ve seen a ton of client alerts get this wrong (including from reputable firms and the Big Four Accounting Firms).  Those client alerts say that the maximum credit is $10k, when it is actually only $5k.
  • The FAQ explains that employers can claim the Employee Retention Credit for qualified wages paid in March 2020.
  • This is particularly helpful because the tax credits that are available under the FFA are only available for wages paid with respect to services performed after April 1, 2020.
  • Accordingly, the Employee Retention Credit could fill a “gap” for employers whose business operations were impacted by COVID-19 in March, but still paid wages to its employees.

 

Use this Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act. Take each paragraph one at a time. We know 11 pages may seem daunting, but it is a resource. It will help you understand how the government can help you get through this difficult time.

News from the Statehouse

What is BWC doing to help employers during this unprecedented time?

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has asked the BWC board to send up to $1.6 billion to Ohio employers this spring to ease the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on Ohio’s economy and business community. This dividend equals approximately 100% of the premiums employers paid in policy year 2018. BWC will apply the dividend to an employer’s outstanding balances first, including the recent installment deferrals. Any amounts exceeding outstanding balances will be sent to the employer. For those employers, it means one less bill to worry about. As in previous years, the dividend is possible due to strong investment returns on employer premiums, a declining number of claims each year, and prudent fiscal management. It’s also due to employers who work hard to improve workplace safety and reduce injury claims. Even with the downturn in the market, BWC is able to provide this important dividend to employers while maintaining funds to take care of injured workers for years to come.  Checks will be mailed in batches to employers starting in late April.

-Estimated employer costs for workers’ compensation in Ohio are $0.75 per $100 in covered payroll, according to the National Academy of Social Insurance [PDF]. Ohio uses the NCCI manual to classify occupations by level of risk. When an employer reports its payroll to the BWC, it must include NCCI codes for the BWC to establish insurance coverage costs.

OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF 

A new office has been developed within the Ohio Development Services Agency to better coordinate Ohio’s efforts to identify and provide support for Ohio’s nearly 950,000 small businesses.

The Office of Small Business Relief will:

  • Serve as the state’s designated agency for administrating federal recovery funds awarded to Ohio for small business support and recovery;
  • Work with federal, state, and local partners to evaluate and determine possible regulatory reforms that encourage employment and job creation; and
  • Coordinate efforts of Ohio’s Small Business Development Centers and Minority Business Assistance Centers.

More information on all resources currently available to small businesses is available at coronavirus.ohio.gov/BusinessHelp.

FORECLOSURE PREVENTION: 

Governor DeWine signed an executive order today that seeks to provide some assistance for small businesses with mortgage and rent payments. The order asks lenders and landlords across Ohio to work with their small businesses and suspend payments for at least 90 days in an effort to avoid foreclosures.

Supporting Others

Now more than ever NAWBO members are supporting each other!  See below for resources from NAWBO members.

 

NAWBO Member Resources

Resources for Small Businesses During the COVID 19 Outbreak

NAWBO is here for you and wants to help you through this crisis with the tools and resources you need for your business to overcome this adversity.

NAWBO Columbus Members as a Resource

If you’re looking for goods and/or services during this time, consider using your NAWBO Columbus network for legal, HR, business planning, IT, banking, mental health, employee assistance, commercial/residential cleaning, and a host of other goods and services.

Together we will get through this and emerge stronger!

 

General Coronavirus Information

The Ohio Department of Health has established a dedicated coronavirus call center (1-833-4-ASK-ODH) that is staffed 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily as well as a dedicated website: coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Free posters on facts, tips and crisis communications are available from the CDC here.

The Ohio Department of Health has current statistics on confirmed cases and a 2-page guide for employers.

The federal government is actively working on legislation designed to give American workers job-protected leave and pay during the coronavirus outbreak. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (pdf) covers a wide range of relief for Americans and provides nearly all American workers up to 12 weeks of medical leave and two weeks of paid sick leave for certain reasons related to the coronavirus. Read a summary here.

NAWBO Columbus Corporate Partner, Frost Brown Todd has created a Coronavirus task.

https://frostbrowntodd.com/coronavirus-response-team/

 

Mental Health:

NAWBO Cbus member, Anna C. Schott, MA, MSW, RYT-200, LISW-S
Co-Founder of Renew Wellness

Renew Wellness has mental health therapists available if anyone is in need. This is a very stressful and trying time for everyone! We are now offering teletherapy as well.  If anyone needs services, contact the office manager at info@renew-wellness-center.com.

 

Unemployment Aid for Workers:

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is ordering the relaxing of some unemployment compensation requirements and timelines for COVID-19 impacted workers who do not receive paid leave and for people who have been quarantined due to COVID-19. Visit unemployment.ohio.gov for additional information.

Financial Support for Small Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations:

Small business owners and non-profit agencies impacted by the public health crisis can apply for low-interest loans. Those impacted should immediately send their contact information to BusinessHelp@Development.Ohio.Gov.

If you are seeking cash flow assistance for your business, one of the easiest and best ways is your credit card processing. NAWBO Cbus has a partnership with Elevon/US Bank to save you money. Take advantage of our low discounts to give your business a boost with lower expenses. Also, look at your business credit cards. Make sure they’re in your business name, not personal. NAWBO Columbus has many banks who are corporate partners and can assist.

Here is a checklist of items you’ll need when the disaster assistance funding is available. Now is a good time to start gathering and updating these documents in a folder on your computer so they’ll be ready to submit.

 

Resources for Businesses and Employers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed guidance for employers on how to plan, prepare and respond to coronavirus with clear instructions to employees and response plans. There are also customized resources for schools, community organizations, healthcare professionals and food service providers. Read more.

NAWBO Corporate Partner, Venita Mehra, Kegler Brown Hill & Ritter offering companies a no–charge call(s), as needed to talk through any of the legal issues they would like to brainstorm about from a domestic and/or international law perspective, as it relates to impact of the Covid19 on their local or overseas business.

 

Corporate Cleaning

NAWBO Columbus member, Crystal Hughey at Corporate Clearing, Inc. has upgraded their cleaning/disinfection processes to combat the virus. Our customers have either increased the frequency of the cleans in their common spaces or requested a once and done disinfection clean during the next couple weeks while their offices are closed. If you need this service in the next couple of weeks, reach out.

www.corporatecleaning.us

 

Temporary Telework

The Supreme Court of Ohio provides a number of resources, including a continuity of operations template and a sample teleworking agreement for courts which we have modified and made available for your use here.

This article from NAWBO member SiteInSight compares the various video conferencing systems from the perspective of small business owners in a quick table, so you can see costs and features easily. If you are offering your services differently, make sure you have a prominent message on your homepage leading to more detailed information. SiteInSight can perform this work quickly and accurately.

Homeowner Resources

COVID19 guide for real estate agents to provide to homeowners. This can help agents position themselves as a resource/expert during this crisis.  Here is a sample.

 

Small Business Updates- Panel Discussion

Listen to a panel discussion with Sharon DeLay, GO-HR on some critical information small businesses need to consider related to COVID-19.

Use the link to Google Drive, Download the PP slide and click on the speaker in the upper left corner of the slide to listen to the presentation.  HERE is the link

 

COVID-19 Revenue Protection Plan

COVID-19 is straining cash flow to a historical extent. When every dollar counts more than ever, it is imperative that your business take steps to protect itself at every stage of its relationships with customers, clients and business partners.  Click HERE for a copy of Benesch’s COVID-19 Revenue Protection Plan.

 

WSBA Business Crisis Team

The Women’s Small Business Accelerator (WSBA) announced the launch of the WSBA Business Crisis Team. Comprised of experienced business owners and professionals, the team provides coaching, reassurance and support to women business owners, in Central Ohio, facing challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Click HERE to read more.

 

What Next? Facing the legal, human, and sales impact on your business.

Join Karen Sullivan, Sullivan Solutions  and NAWBO Members Maritza Nelson and Sharon Delay for a Zoom Discussion and Fight COVID-19 by working ON your business.

Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 1 pm EST

Click HERE to register.

Contributors:

MINDI L. WELLS, ESQ.
Attorney at Law
Certified Civil Rights Investigator (ATIXA)
mw@wellslawllc.com
614-702-7473

Anna C. Schott, MA, MSW, RYT-200, LISW-S
Co-Founder of Renew Wellness
Mental Health Therapist
Trainer, Approved Consultant, and Certified Therapist in EMDR
614-578-5269
annaschott@renew-wellness-center.com

 

Dwayne K. Lee, Business Development Consultant
U.S. Bank | Metro Small Business Banking
614.554.6456 | f. 833-375-9050| dwayne.lee@usbank.com

 

Catherine Zupan, VP Sales
Discover Publications
614-468-9117 (d)
614-403-2027 (m)

 

Vinita Mehra, Kegler Brown Hill & Ritter
Director + Leader, Global Business + Global Education
direct (614) 255-5508 | fax (614) 462-2634 | vmehra@keglerbrown.com

 

Crystal Hughey, CEO
Corporate Cleaning Inc.
www.corporatecleaning.us
O: 614-203-6051

 

Alice Foeller
SiteInSight: Digital Crisis Communications by website, email, social media and more
alice@siteinsight.com
614-887-7483

 

Sharon DeLay, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CPCC

GO-HR (a dba of BoldlyGO Career and HR Management, LLC)
[O] 614-473-0122  ▪  [C] 614-233-1522
www.go-hr.biz ▪ sharon.delay@go-hr.biz

 

Rachel G. Winder

Government Relations Manager

Benesch Law

RWinder@beneschlaw.com

 

Women’s Small Business Accelerator

2025 Riverside Drive, Columbus, OH 43221

C: (614) 937-3197

O: (614) 414-2447

W: WSBAOhio.org

 

Karen Sullivan

Sullivan Solutions LLC

t: (614) 799-1670 m: (614) 581-6618

karen@sullivansolutions.com