This regularly-updated guide gives an overview of funding resources available to small business owners in Arizona. Arizona Microcredit Initiative Microloans Overview Arizona Microcredit Initiative (AMI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers underserved entrepreneurs to start or expand businesses through low-interest microloans that are tailored to fit your business needs. Qualifications Loan funds must be used to purchase revenue-generating assets Fulfill collateral Agree to

How to Handle Your Business Issues with the Most Efficiency and the Least Stress Learn how to develop your critical thinking skills so you will be able to overcome any problem that may arise when starting a business. Problem-solving is a business skill that often takes time and experience to learn to do effectively – this is just a beginners’ guide on how to structure that process. AMI’s Consultants have robust experience in solving problems, and are willing to help! To work

Social media is a vital part of reaching out to customers on an online platform, especially Instagram for small businesses. Here the AMI team will walk you through how to set up a social media account for your business! Basics of Instagram for Small Businesses In today’s digital world, entrepreneurs (like you!) have the opportunity to expand their reach with the use of social media: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and more. The days of the ever time-consuming d

Customer Obsessed Taking customer relationships to the next step through customer and market information allows you to take your business to the next level. Utilizing readily available statistics can help small business owners with market research and competitive analysis. References General Business Statistics NAICS USA.gov Statistics Statistical Abstract of the United States U.S. Census Bureau Consumer Statistics & Demographics Consumer Credit Data Consumer Product Safety A

The best way to grow your followers, and thus your business, is to provide a value-add for them. Ask yourself what would make someone want to connect with your business. For example, running promotions or giveaways from your social media page can provide a benefit to those who connect. It is here where you will learn what promotion strategies can lead your business to success. What are Promotional Strategies and why are they important? Promotional strategies are designed to g

An Introduction to the What, Why, and How of Entrepreneurial Networking What is Networking and Why Should I Do It? AMI exists to make an impact, and it was with that enthusiasm that I marched into a local networking event for small business owners. I was nervous, to be sure – it’s not easy going somewhere unfamiliar surrounded by strangers to peddle your ideas, but I learned quickly that the business community is a friendly place, and within minutes, I had gotten to chatting

Setting the foundations for the purpose of your operations. Overview Mission and vision statements are short descriptions of a business or organization that articulates the goals, objectives, and values of an organization; this is an important tool for making decisions and plans about a business. An organization can have one complete statement that describes its mission and values or two separate mission and vision statements. Mission Statement vs Vision Statement The mission

Customer feedback is vital for business growth. Your business is, after all, built entirely around your customers. This is why whenever you log on to websites or use an application, you are asked to provide a review or give some sort of feedback: the customer’s opinion is the most important piece of information a business can have. The blog post below outlines more customer feedback examples to be tailored to your business. Customer Feedback: Your Greatest Source of Learning

Learn how you can test two different advertisements to see which one is the most effective in obtaining consumers. --- COMING SOON --- Arizona Microcredit Initiative (AMI) has consulting and microloan support for yourself and your business. If you have any more questions, you can schedule an appointment today through https://www.azmicrocredit.org/schedule-a-consultation-1 or reach out to us at info@azmicrocredit.org. Return Home Continue to Elevate Playbook

Choosing a supplier is a critical step for any business. Our Supplier Selection Analysis guide breaks down how to compare suppliers and ultimately choose the best one for your business. Overview Supplier selection analysis typically requires the following five-step process. 1. Identify Component The process will begin with identifying the separate components that contribute to your final product and categorize them accordingly. An example has been outlined below for your refe