"I was told to close my doors, no matter how big or small I was, and take a 100% pay cut," Claire Ahearn said.
Ahearn is the creator behind Class Action Fitness, a boutique health gym in downtown Rochester.
She’s been an owner of the budding business for 10 years, with a loyal clientele.
Up until now, the business has been very successful, but then the unexpected happened.
She’s applied for the Small Business Association, PPP loan --- and the economic injury disaster loan, along with unemployment. She’s yet to receive funds on any of them, prompting an email to our WXYZ initiative Rebound Detroit.
Ahearn asked in her email, "Who do we turn to for help?"
"We support all of the small businesses in all of southeast Mich. So, that’s seven counties that we work with and over 100 volunteers," Donna Hover Ojeda said.
Ojeda is with Score Detroit , a resourceful nonprofit that small businesses can turn to. They offer one-on-one guidance through mentorship and counseling- and they do it for free.
For those who want the basics, Score is referring them to a funding portal, called startupspace.app
"It’s to be like a shopping center of all the free services that are out there," said Ojeda said.
Simply make a profile, click on the COVID-19 tab and tap into grants specifically available to the southeast Michigan small business community.
"Last I looked, there was twelve different places where you can get money," said Hover Ojeda.
So here’s the Rebound Rundown:
- If you still haven’t received federal funding for your small business, you’re not alone.
- if you need one-on-one guidance? Reach out to Score Detroit
- if you need a one-stop shop for available funding? check out startupspace.app
If you have an idea for a story, send us an email at ReboundDetroit@wxyz.com
