Small Business Development–Working with MBDA
AIANTA Webinar Series
Small Business Development – Working with MBDA
February 9, 2021; 10 a.m. (MST/New Mexico)
Join us for this month’s AIANTA webinar series as we focus on Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) resources available to small business and artist entrepreneurs.
This session will introduce participants to the concept of developing and utilizing a Tourism Economic Feasibility Study as a tool for making a project decision, developing a proposal, building a business plan and attracting potential partners and/or investors for tribal tourism economic development.
You will also hear more about how Tourism Economic Feasibility Studies can be a catalyst for determining best or optimal use of a designated land base.
Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m. (MDT/New Mexico)
Moderator
Bianca Mitchell (Pueblo of Acoma), AIANTA Education Manager
Panelists
Michael D. Peacock (Laguna/Seneca/Mohawk), C.E.O President, Southwest Business Development Consultants, LLC
Michael Peacock’s entire business career has been dedicated to serving American Indian & minority-owned businesses and his passion is to be an inspiration, role model and mentor to local communities in building self-sufficiency and empowerment. Peacock has more than 30 years of experience in providing comprehensive business, community, and economic development services to individuals, businesses, organizations and tribes throughout New Mexico and the United States.
Darla M. Jones (Dine/Iroquois), Program Manager, Southwest Business Development Consultants, LLC
Darla M. Jones serves as the Program Manager for the Four Winds Diversified Project and Southwest Business Development Consultants, LLC. Her main role is engaging new clients, and providing access to capital, resources and new markets for American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian & Minority-owned businesses located in the Southwest rural reservation lands and local communities. Jones’ focus is promoting entrepreneurship, small business training & coaching, and assessment & certification services for Federal set- aside programs.
Tim Guardipee (Little Shell/Blackfeet Descendant), Program Director, Native American Development Corporation
Enrolled Little Shell with Blackfeet decendency, Tim Guardipee grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation. He has worked for NADC since 2015 and currently oversees the e-commerce/triia.com program, funded by MBDA. Guardipee provides business planning and technical assistance as needed to clients as well as Community Development Financial Institution assistance. For the previous four years, he has overseen the SBA business development programs for NADC. With more than 17 years in community, business and economic development areas, he has a wide and varied background. He has been certified as a Small Business Consultant through AASBC, certified in Core Fore, Indianpreneureship, Profit Mastery, as well as training in consumer credit counseling.
About AIANTA
For nearly two decades, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has served as the national voice for American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians engaged in cultural tourism. In addition, AIANTA provides technical assistance, training and capacity building to Tribal nations and Native-owned enterprises engaged in tourism, hospitality and recreation.
About MBDA
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. MBDA is the only federal agency created specifically to foster the establishment and growth of minority-owned businesses in America.
MBDA is an entrepreneurially focused organization committed to wealth creation in minority communities. To foster the growth and global competitiveness of U.S. businesses that are minority-owned.
MBDA actively coordinates and leverages public and private-sector resources that facilitate strategic alliances in support of its mission. MBDA’s vision is economic prosperity for all American business enterprises.