HomeMy WebLinkAboutAminata Taylor - Financial Business NetworkFINANCIAL BUSINESS SUPPORT
NETWORK
Presented By: Aminata Taylor
Tailored Tax & Accounting, LLC
136 E Dubuque St Iowa City, IA 52240
contact@tailoredtaxandaccounting.org
319-651-2189
MAY 1, 2023
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To: City of Iowa City
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear: Grant review committee,
On behalf of Tailored Tax and Accounting (Organization), please accept this letter as our intent to apply for the
business support program portion of ARPA funds made available by the City of Iowa City. The purpose of this
statement of intent is to request funding to provide the Financial Business Support Network (FBSN) to
underrepresented businesses at a free or discounted cost. As you are aware, this need was identified in the
Inclusive Economic Development Plan (IEDP) and is one of the action areas in the City's Strategic Plan.
The burden of obtaining fiscal help has been especially heavy on businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and
people of color (BIPOC). These businesses have faced challenges that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19
pandemic, making it difficult for them to access the resources they need to survive and thrive.
2. A general description of the project including the purpose, benefits, and specific goals of the project.
Demonstrate the community benefit of the project using qualitative and quantitative measurements.
Specifically, note how the project will accomplish the goals outlined in the Inclusive Economic Development
Plan and City Council Strategic Plan
The Organization aims to create a Financial Business Support Network (FBSN) to strengthen BIPOC businesses
by providing in-depth and strategic financial literacy support with tools that businesses need the most. Many small
businesses and minority businesses lack the financial acumen necessary to keep their business in the black and to
create long-term financially successful plans to help them scale their businesses, whether through natural profit
margins or securing capital funds.
The FBSN will tackle difficult financial literacy issues which prevent businesses from growth, expansion and
ultimately result in business closure. Businesses who work with the network will be better equipped to maintain
the dream of ownership while creating realistic financial plans that allow them to thrive, obtain loans/lines of
credit and to sustain long-term solvency in ever changing markets.
The Business Support FBSN will focus on 5 key financial areas:
• Book-keeping basics and financial modeling
• Quarterly Tax Filings, Tax Planning and Tax Preparation
• Accounting Basics
• Financial Statements
• Cash Flow/Financial Projections
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, entrepreneurs started 843,320 new businesses in the year
ending March 2021.Twenty percent of these businesses are expected to fail in the first two years. BIPOC
businesses face greater odds of failing with eight out of ten failures in the first year. Financial issues are cited as
one of the main reasons these businesses closed.
Strategies will include the following:
One/One Services
• Tax Prep/Planning
• Accounting Services
• Financial Business
Planning
• Credit Repair
• Turnaround Service
Serve 20-30 (year 1)
Classes
Financial
Education Classes
1 per month or
(12/ per year)
Total of 36
Classes)
141
TAILORED
TAX K ACCOUNTING
Workshops Services Finance Course
Quarterly Small Credit Repair Train the Trainers
Business Series- Sessions Working with
On Demand 6 per year Community
access/webinar One/One Advocates
trainings assistance 5 Trained per year
4 Per year minimum
3. A description of how the project builds community resiliency following the COVID-19 pandemic by
building capacity to serve residents of the community.
The FBSN will build community resiliency by ensuring underrepresented business can achieve the following:
• Access to high -quality financial technical assistance at a discounted rate, which will help them navigate
the current economic climate and position themselves for long-term success.
• Be better equipped to manage their finances, including budgeting, cash flow analysis, forecasting, and
strategic planning.
• Be able to make more informed financial decisions that are aligned with their long-term goals and
objectives.
• Be better equipped to address any potential economic downturn.
• Create community experts and resource networks to increase access to relevant financial resources.
• Provide Information access portal/social networks/information to Iowa City Businesses.
• Provide safe/affordable options for high cost financial problems (ie..tax resolutions/poor credit, poor
financial management)
Targeted Activities:
• One-on-one consultations with BIPOC business owners,
• Targeted Financial Literacy Series (from 5 key areas).
• Provide fiscal management to network businesses.
• Target Immigrant ITIN Business Service.
• Provide Tax Preparation Services and tax resolution.
• Provide Credit Repair Assistance/Credit Resolution Services.
• Provide Accounting/Payroll/Audit Services.
• Networking Business Summit Event/Programs.
Moreover, the knowledge that will be acquired by the owners and staff of these businesses is designed to enhance
our capacity to serve our community. We believe that our program services are well aligned with the City's goal
of fostering inclusive economic growth and promoting equity in access to resources.
4. An estimated project budget including how much in City assistance you are requesting. Identify both the
proposed sources and uses of funds for the total project. Identify if each funding source has committed
funds.
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The total project budget is $100,000. We are requesting $100,000 in grant funding, this will be matched by
$50,000 from the Resilient and Sustainable Future for Iowa City, $30,000 from various sources (grants/program
revenue), and $20,000 of in -kind services by seasoned professionals within the network.
5. A preliminary timeline for the execution of the project. The City intends for all grant funds to be
expended by December 31, 2026. If this is not possible in the project schedule, please detail the estimated
draw -down timeframe.
The FBSN expects to be self-sustaining within 24 months using the following as seed funding to expand our
capacity in the Iowa city corridor. The organization will use the funds to train community groups/advocates to
provide services outlined in the proposal on an ongoing basis and expand professional service providers in trusted
communities.
Assuming the program funds are allocated by September 2023 the following timeline will be executed within 18-
24 months:
• September 2023- Organize an Iowa City Smart Business Summit to begin network/connecting
opportunities and hire contractors/facilitators/trainers.
• December 2023- Prepare Training and Calendar for Series/Course/Program, schedule individual
meetings/sessions.
• Winter 2024- Launch Courses/Programs.
• Spring 2024- Launch FBSN Webinar Series/ITIN Workshops Launch FSBN Network Podcasts and
Social Network Platforms.
• Fall 2024- Create Additional Group of FBSN Trainers/Programs.
• December 2024- 2°a Iowa City Smart Business Summit with Key Community Advocates and New
partnerships.
• January 2025 -Services for FBSN should be self-sustaining with income streams/and continuing program
services.
6. A statement about the organization's ability to perform appropriate grant and financial management,
including any related experience managing city, state, or federal grant funds. Provide 3 years of financial
statements of the lead organization, if available. Please indicate what type of technical assistance may be
needed to help prepare the organization for grant management responsibilities.
The Organization was established in 2022, with the goal of helping strengthen small businesses by bridging the
gap between accounting, operations, and long-term sustainability. We have expanded our initiative by offering
financial literacy classes and accounting support for underrepresented businesses through intentional partnerships,
such as collaborating with Merge, MDC Iowa and RSFIC. The founder of the organization, Aminata "Ami"
Taylor, has a strong background in finance, holding a CPA license and an MBA. Additionally, the organization is
established as Targeted Small Business (TSB) with the State of Iowa. Ami served as the Chief Financial Officer
of United Way of Anchorage managing over $70M of ARPA and CARES funds for the city Anchorage, Ak.
With these skills and experience, the FBSN is well positioned to continue providing fiscal services for this
proposed program.
The FBSN does not anticipate help to prepare for grant management responsibilities, we believe we are capable of
managing this limited program.
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7. A description of all work related to the project that has been completed to date, if any, including any
secured funding, contracted professional services, property, land acquisition, grant or loan activity, etc.
To date, tailored Tax and Accounting has provided training courses for small businesses, offered free
consultations, worked with groups such as the MDC Iowa, UWJWC and RSFIC providing accounting assistance
such as budgeting, payroll, and financial management. Creating a Financial Business Support Network will
increase the capacity of service providers for these and other organizations as they serve small businesses. The
organizations have thus far utilized a pay as you go approach. Creating this network, equipping additional
providers, and streamlining topics can help create a more defined process of services with a broader group of
professionals. The FBSN will allow the community to have access to a broad network of providers rather than
relying on one group of experts and eliminate the barrier of cost prohibitive services by private firms.
8. Any other information, including letters of support, the submitting agency deems appropriate. As the
funding entity, no letters of support should be sought from City of Iowa City staff or elected officials.
Here at Tailored Tax & Accounting, using the FBSN approach we strongly believe that this program can
significantly impact the financial health and resilience of underrepresented businesses in the Iowa City area. By
investing in their success, we can promote economic equity and build stronger, more resilient communities.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to exploring ways that our organizations can partner
together to be the change that we seek,
Sincerely,
Aminata Taylor,CPA, MBA
From: Kymberly Stevenson<Kvniber►v.StevensonPIowa EDA.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 2, 2023 9:35 AM
To: Tailored Tax and Accounting<contactCOtailoredtaxandaccountine.org,>
Subject: TSB Certification
Dear Aminata,
Congratulations! Your application for certification as a Targeted Small Business with
the Iowa Economic Development Authority has been reviewed and approved. Please
retain this e-mail as proof of your certification. An official letter, window cling and
certificate will be mailed to you also.
Your targeted Small Business status shall be recertified every two years. You will be
notified by mail when it is time for you to recertify your business. In accordance with
state rules for certification, it is your responsibility to advise this office when significant
changes occur in your business that may affect this certification. This includes changes
in company name, ownership, telephone number, address, etc.
The following items have also been attached:
• A digital "badge" that you may use on your website, social media feeds (feel free
to tag Iowa Economic Development Authoritv!) or promotional materials to
acknowledge your certification status. This badge may not be skewed or scaled
when used in print or online. If your certification expires and is not renewed, you
must discontinue usage of this mark.
• A "How To" guide for navigating the portal to update your Business profile and
manage your state bidding opportunity notification settings.
• A "How To" guide on doing business with the state, put together by our partners
at the Center for Industrial Research and Serve (CIRAS). If you are interested in
selling to the state, be sure to check out CIRAS's list of events and webinars for
small business owners interested in government procurement, found
here: https://www.ciras.iastate.edu/events-workshops/
o The state of Iowa has also created a free Orientation Workshop for Vendors
interested in doing business with the State of Iowa! Click HERE to sign up
for an upcoming workshop!
o Iowa State University also holds Vendor Orientation sessions monthly!
Topics covered include how to do business with Iowa State, the bid process
and information on what they buy.
Click httDs://www.Drocurement.iastate.edu/vendor-information/orientation to
learn more information about the dates for an upcoming session!
o To be considered as a vendor of goods and services in the event of an emergency,
please fill out the Iowa Emergency Management Response survey to get your name
in the Emergency Response vendor
database: https://docs.cioocile.com/forms/d/e/l FAIr)QLSdiW6apALVxwOSrkK3F8136
c3K13hJu2sdFSkGhgvcHvO7OTw/viewform
o A flier about the TSB program with information about our low -interest micro -
loan program and procurement opportunities with the state of Iowa.
• A flier about federal Housing and Urban Development's "Section 3" program.
Businesses that qualify for this program are listed in the HUD Section 3
Business Registry database and are eligible to receive information about HUD -
related bid opportunities. Please contact Nichole Hansen
at nichole.hansene.iowaeda.com for more information.
Certified Targeted Small Businesses are also able to receive 48-hour advance
procurement notice opportunities and bid information with state agencies by logging into
your TSB portal here: www.iowaeda.com/tsb. If you have not already logged on to the
system when you created your application, you will receive a separate e-mail with
instructions for logging on to this site.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority appreciates your time and cooperation in the
process of TSB certification. Once again, congratulations on becoming a certified Targeted
Small Business!
KYMBERLY STEVENSON 1 TSB Business Development Project Manager
IOWA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
1963 Bell Avenue, Suite 200 1 Des Moines, Iowa 50315
+1 (515) 348-6193 1 kymberly.stevenson@iowaeda.com