Written by Millicent Alhamis
Small businesses are more than just storefronts and service providers; they’re the soul of our communities. They bring vibrancy to neighborhoods, provide essential goods and services, and often offer a personal touch that larger corporations simply can’t. Yet, when it comes to accessing resources, these businesses face challenges that can feel impossible especially when navigating programs designed to help them.
Take the ARPA Small Business Support initiative in Manchester, for example. This program aimed to help businesses recover from the pandemic and build capacity through a three-phase approach, culminating in the 360 Business Success Program. On paper, it sounds straightforward: here’s a framework, follow the steps, and access the benefits. But the reality on the ground paints a different picture. For many small businesses, particularly those owned by people from minority communities, even knowing where to begin can be overwhelming. This isn’t a failure of effort; it’s a lack of tailored support. And that’s where the real work begins.
The truth is, most small businesses don’t have the luxury of an administrative team to handle paperwork or the know-how to navigate complex application systems. When grant requirements call for detailed documentation, certifications, or registrations often with no clear instructions, business owners are left juggling these tasks on top of running their day-to-day operations. For seasonal businesses or those with limited staff, this can mean making impossible choices: do I spend my time filling out forms, or do I serve my customers and keep my doors open? It’s not enough to say, “Here’s a grant or resource; go get it.”, instead, support needs to meet businesses where they are literally and figuratively. That means offering hands-on guidance to help owners understand what’s required, walking them through processes like setting up federal registrations, and ensuring they feel confident completing applications.
Programs like the 360 Business Success Program thrived because consultants work directly with business owners, filling gaps in knowledge and capacity rather than expecting them to figure it out alone. Not all businesses have the same starting point. Many minority-owned and immigrant-run businesses, for instance, face additional barriers such as language differences, lack of access to networks, or unfamiliarity with local systems and it’s not enough to hand over a list of requirements and hope for the best. Support could include providing translation services, technical assistance, or even helping businesses prioritize their goals to ensure they’re focusing on what will benefit them most in the long term.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this work for us has been helping businesses uncover needs they didn’t even realize they had. Many initially sought funding for equipment or physical upgrades, but with a bit of guidance, they discovered other areas that would create more lasting impact like improving their digital marketing, streamlining their operations, or building stronger customer engagement strategies. By offering tailored advice and consistent support, we’ve seen business owners thrive in ways they didn’t think were possible.
The question we need to ask ourselves is this: how can we show up better for our small businesses? It starts with recognizing that what they often lack isn’t ambition or talent—it’s support. Whether it’s simplifying processes, providing step-by-step assistance, or simply asking, “What do you need most right now?” The key is to create systems that are as inclusive and flexible as the businesses they’re meant to serve. Small businesses are resilient, but they shouldn’t have to carry the weight of bureaucracy alone. When we invest in helping small businesses succeed, we’re investing in the health and vitality of our communities. And that’s a win for all of us.
The DMC Community Transformation Team brings over 25 years of combined experience, collaborating with nonprofits, cities and towns, grant makers, and other nonprofits to make a positive impact. DMC has successfully created programs and campaigns that bridge diverse communities, addressing root causes of problems and facilitating sustainable solutions.