New partnership provides support for Delaware minority-owned businesses, aims for growth

MILFORD, Del. – Delaware is the home of the first paper florist shop on the Eastern Shore. It’s something that became a passion for Cookie’s Paper Petals owner Anastasia Jackson. “Crafting was a stress reliever for me. Back In 2017 when I was recovering from a hip injury as well as grieving the loss of my grandmother, I just took a leap of faith and decided to open up in the pandemic,” Jackson said.

According to the U.S. Small Business Association, less than 10% of federal contracting dollars go to small, minority-owned businesses which includes Jackson. “83% of minorities can not get access to capital when they start a business,” Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce CEO Ayanna Khan said.

“During COVID when we were doing literally millions of loans, we saw a lot of those groups having a hard time accessing them,” Delaware SBA’s Jeff Fleming said.

Thanks to a new partnership between the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware SBA, those small businesses will now have both support and resources with the introduction of a virtual quarterly training focused of helping them recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  “So we want to focus on education and resources. That’s our main objective to basically advance the economic footprint for minorities in the state of Delaware,” Khan said.

Despite some challenges, Anastasia tells me it’s the knowledge and resources she’s gained as a member of the chamber that’s allowed her to continue making forever flowers for communities across the first state.  “I am a paper flower shop but I can collaborate with hairstylists, makeup artists, the food industry, bakers. So it’s definitely opened my eyes to the importance of collaborating,” Jackson said.

Not only does that partnership provide members of the chamber with networking skills, but they’ll gain knowledge on federal government contracting programs and business development. “It’s good to become a member of the chamber of commerce or just reach out to those resources such as the SBA and they’ll give you information you need to get things in order,” Jackson said.

“We’re moving towards are more inclusive and equitable state and community. Change is slow sometimes but it’s happening. We’re moving in the right direction,” Khan said.

The SBA’S financing programs offer loans varying from real estate to equipment for business support. The free training series starts Wednesday, February 16th. To find out more information or to register your business, click here

To keep up with specials or offerings with Cookie’s Paper Petals, click here