Small business assistance

Your connection to small business support and resources in Inland Southern California

Search our online small business assistance tool to find help and resources for your business.

What we do...

WE CONNECT YOU TO SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

We are a trusted Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO) dedicated to empowering small businesses across Southern California. By providing resources, guidance, and advocacy, we connect business owners with the support they need to start, run, and grow their businesses successfully in our region.

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Small Business Loan & Grants

Looking for small business loans and grant resources to help your business bounce back? Visit our curated grant and loan resource page.

WE WORK TOGETHER WITH OUR COLLABORATORS TO STRENGTHEN MICRO-BUSINESSES IN INLAND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

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    Regranted to partner organizations

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    Jobs created or supported

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    Capital accessed by small businesses

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    Partners in our collaborative

HOW DO WE SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES?

Our Small Business Assistance Tool Connects You to Helpful Resources and Support

Provide information about your business and what you’re looking for, review the resources that are vetted to your needs, and contact a resource to get the help and support you need. It’s free!

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Proud recipient of the 2024 CAMEO Connector Award

Recognized for commitment to fostering connections and supporting small businesses in Southern California by CAMEO.

Success Story

The journey of Three Little Blue Byrds Boutique is a story of friendship transformed into lasting impact.

What began as a dream between best friends Tia and Erica is now a powerful symbol of purpose-driven entrepreneurship in San Bernardino. Their boutique, Three Little Blue Byrds, launched in September 2024, was founded to create a welcoming space that celebrates fashion, sisterhood, and the empowerment of women, especially women of color.

Quickly becoming a hub for local creatives, the boutique earned Tia the title of NAWBO’s Community Business Woman of the Year. Yet, like many entrepreneurs, she struggled with wearing every hat. Seeking support to scale without losing her mission, she turned to the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center (IEWBC).

Through nine hours of one-on-one coaching with business counselor Vanessa Siliezar, Tia gained clarity and strategy. With Vanessa’s guidance, she refined her brand, launched a digital empowerment planner, and aligned her operations with her values.

A Route 66 Black Experience Grant helped Tia and Erica stock inventory, install a POS system, and complete the boutique’s launch. Tia also stepped into leadership-earning media attention, hosting workshops, and expanding into digital products and speaking engagements. She credits IEWBC’s mentorship and workshops, like HR Essentials and Intro to QuickBooks, for building her business’s foundation. “Having someone meet me where I was—both personally and professionally—made all the difference,” Tia shared.

Today, Three Little Blue Byrds is more than a boutique, it’s a beacon for women ready to dream big, lead boldly, and build with heart.

Three Little Byrds Boutique logo

TIA & ERICA, Owners

Three Little Byrds Boutique

GROWTH AND SUCCESS HELP IS HERE!

Small businesses need access to business advice, loans and training

Microenterprises (or micro-businesses) are those that have fewer than 5 employees. That’s over 90 percent of the businesses that operate in inland Southern California. Successful microenterprises create jobs, generate tax revenue, supply needed goods and services, and improve the local economy.

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DO YOU SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES?

Join forces with organizations who serve small businesses in Southern California.

Your customers, clients, members or constituents may need advice with marketing, financial management, human resources, or tax management. They may need to develop a business plan to help think through their product or service offerings and launch their businesses.

Check out the resources listed under Small Business Assistance to gain access to business counseling and workshops.

Impact report

ARE THEY HAVING DIFFICULTY GETTING CAPITAL NEEDED TO START OR GROW THE BUSINESS?

The microlenders listed under Small Business Financing are equipped to work with the special needs of new and growing small businesses. No need to worry about choosing the correct referral. All small business assistance agencies and microlenders work together to connect your customer to the correct resource for their needs.

GUIDESTAR PLATINUM SEAL OF TRANSPARENCY

Microenterprise Collaborative is listed on GuideStar

We have received the 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid for the fourth year!

Visit our GuideStar profile page to review the most up-to-date nonprofit data available. Learn more about our organization’s current programs, the problems we aim to solve and verify our accomplishments.

OUR GUIDESTAR PROFILE

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Our Supporters

The Microenterprise Collaborative is deeply grateful to our supporters who fund our work.

Support of Microenterprise Collaborative - Bank of Southern California
Supporting of Microenterprise Collaborative - Cathay Bank Logo
CTBC Bank
Provident Bank logo
The James Irvine Foundation
US Bank
Walmart logo
Wells Fargo

Want to become a partner?

Become a Partner of the Microenterprise Collaborative and receive information on the programs and services offered in the region to help small businesses be successful.