FAQ IshopBBDC
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs that affiliates might have for the I Shop Black Business Development Center
We work with black-owned businesses across a wide range of industries, including retail, hospitality, healthcare, and more. Our goal is to support businesses who are committed to advancing economic equity and inclusion for the black community.
We offer a range of support services, including access to funding opportunities, mentorship programs, educational resources, and more. We also provide assistance with marketing and branding, financial management, and legal advice.
To become an affiliate with the I Shop Black Business Development Center, you can fill out our online application form on our website. We will review your application and get back to you within a few business days.
Some of our services are free, while others may have associated fees. We strive to keep our fees as low as possible to make our services accessible to all black-owned businesses.
The timeline for receiving funding varies depending on the program and the specific circumstances of each business. We will work with you to provide an estimated timeline and keep you updated throughout the process.
While our primary focus is on supporting black-owned businesses, we welcome non-black-owned businesses who are committed to advancing economic equity and inclusion for the black community to become affiliates as well.
Our mentorship programs match black-owned businesses with experienced mentors who can provide guidance and support in areas such as business strategy, marketing, and financial management. We work with each business to develop a customized mentorship plan based on their unique needs and goals.
Yes, we offer a variety of training programs designed to help black-owned businesses improve their skills and knowledge in areas such as marketing, finance, and operations. Our training programs are led by experienced professionals and are tailored to the specific needs of each business.
We use a variety of metrics to measure the impact of our services, including revenue growth, job creation, and community engagement. We also collect feedback from our clients to continually improve our services and ensure that we are meeting their needs.
There are many ways to support black-owned businesses, including shopping at black-owned businesses, spreading the word about black-owned businesses in your community, and advocating for policies that support economic equity and inclusion for the black community. You can also support organizations like the I Shop Black Business Development Center that are working to support black-owned businesses.
Black-owned businesses can apply to become affiliates by filling out an online application on our website. Our team will review the application and reach out to the business to discuss next steps.
Currently, we do not offer funding or grants to black-owned businesses. However, we do provide resources and support to help businesses secure funding and grants from other sources.
Yes, we welcome volunteers who are passionate about supporting black-owned businesses and advancing economic equity and inclusion for the black community. Volunteers can help with a variety of tasks, such as marketing, event planning, and mentorship. Interested individuals can fill out a volunteer application on our website.
We select affiliate businesses based on a variety of factors, including the quality of their products or services, their commitment to advancing economic equity and inclusion for the black community, and their potential for growth and success with our support.
We host a variety of events throughout the year to support black-owned businesses and promote economic equity and inclusion for the black community. These events include business networking events, educational workshops, and community engagement events.
Yes, we welcome black-owned businesses from around the world to apply to become affiliates. However, please note that some of our resources and support may be tailored to businesses in the United States.
We measure the impact of our organization through a variety of metrics, such as the number of businesses we support, the revenue generated by those businesses, and the number of jobs created. We also track the feedback and satisfaction of our affiliate businesses and community members to ensure we are meeting their needs and making a positive impact.
Yes, we welcome support from non-black-owned businesses and individuals who share our commitment to advancing economic equity and inclusion for the black community. Non-black-owned businesses can support us through sponsorships, partnerships, and other forms of collaboration.
Yes, we welcome black-owned businesses from all industries to apply to become affiliates, including those outside of retail such as finance, healthcare, and technology.
Consumers can support the I Shop Black Business Development Center and black-owned businesses by shopping at black-owned businesses, spreading the word about our organization and its mission, volunteering their time and skills, and advocating for policies and initiatives that promote economic equity and inclusion for the black community.