Business Navigators 

We've seen that trust is a vital component in developing the capacity of small business owners. At the core of our approach is extended personalized counseling provided by business navigators.

 

Our team of highly experienced business professionals consists of business operators, bank employees, retired business leaders, corporate employee resource group participants, and business coaches  provides critical ongoing individualized attention to each program participant in a cost-effective manner. 

 

Navigators are trained and utilize a uniform set of processes, tools, and curriculum to ensure high quality engagement with program participants.

 

Key to our impact strategy is working in collaboration with community organizations who offer business support services. By providing training for their navigators and providing the same resources used by the OWEDC team as well as access to other OWEDC program resources, we assist in building their capacity and value to their communities.

 

• Business navigators are supported by a group of vetted subject matter experts who provide specialized support. These experts are engaged for short periods and provide guidance on specific topics. Examples are HR, food industry, marketing, operations, finance, capital strategies, etc.

• Small businesses owners often require quality service providers but struggle to find them. As part of our program OWEDC is developing a resource list of trusted high-quality providers.  By reducing the time required to research and find these resources, participants can move quickly to advance their businesses.