Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
COVID-19 Relief Help Makes Pandemic Candles & Doorstep Medical Delivery Possible
TLBBHMAP3-U010ALB5ANM-348f959abae2-512-300x300-1
By Jim Jakobs, Digital Producer
Published 5 years ago on
August 18, 2020

Share

How about a “Quarantine 2020” candle series to get you through the year?

Or vulnerable seniors having their medical supplies delivered free to their doorsteps?

These are among the adaptions to COVID-19 realities that two Fresno businesses made after either coaching and support, or funds through a “Save Our Small Businesses” grant from the city of Fresno.

Scent & Fire

Scent & Fire founder Monisha Edwards received business coaching and technical assistance from Fresno Metro Black Chamber in partnership with Access Plus Capital.

Monisha Edwards, Scent and Fire Founder

This assistance during the pandemic helped Scent & Fire evolve to increase its monthly orders from 400 candles to more than 1,000.

Edwards unveiled a new candle series during the pandemic, Quarantine 2020, “to create unique experiences and vibes amid the COVID-19 chaos.” Other Scent & Fire innovations: eGift Cards and downloadable playlists to accompany the candles.

https://www.facebook.com/scentandfire/photos/a.366887754153611/645241172984933/?type=3&theater

The Bone Store

“When our world got turned upside-down in March, we were really worried. We knew this would have a huge financial impact — we just didn’t know how devastating it would be.” Karter McKinlay, CEO and co-owner of The Bone Store

The Bone Store is all about health and wellness. Its mission is to improve the way people walk, move, sit, and sleep. The majority of customers come in with a doctor’s prescription or are repeat customers.

Almost overnight, the store’s main demographic was told to stay indoors and not leave their homes. As a business that caters largely to customers 65 and older, the news was concerning.

“When our world got turned upside-down in March, we were really worried. We knew this would have a huge financial impact — we just didn’t know how devastating it would be,” said Karter McKinlay, CEO and co-owner of The Bone Store.

The Bone Store received a “Save Our Small Businesses” grant from the city of Fresno. Innovations they have implemented include offering free doorstep delivery, conducting business remotely, effectively communicating their new business operations to their customers, and creating new ways to keep staff working in their three locations.

Save Our Small Businesses

In April, City Hall awarded forgivable zero-interest loans of $5,000 and $10,000 to 116 businesses impacted by COVID-19.

The 0% loans will be converted to grants if a business remains open after one year.

According to city data, more than $8.6 million was requested by small businesses. The loans support 485 jobs.

The list of recipients represents a cross-section of businesses: restaurants and catering, legal services, barbershops, and salons.

Councilmember Esmeralda Soria, who co-sponsored the legislation with councilmember Mike Karbassi, said at the time the program was meant to help those businesses unable to receive federal stimulus money.

“A lot of Fresno local small mom and pop businesses were left out. That’s why this type of program is so critical for our community,” Soria said.

More COVID Relief Funding for Small Businesses on the Way

On Monday, the Fresno City Council added $2 million for small business relief grants to be administered by the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation.

“As a mission-focused lender, we can’t afford to turn our backs on small businesses when they need us the most.” — Tate Hill, Access Plus Capital’s executive director

similar program administered by Fresno County received 1,359 applicants for 1,000 available grants of $5,000. The winners were picked by a lottery in June.

Today, the county is expected to approve another $250,000 for small businesses, also through the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation.

The grants would provide $5,000 for operations with less than 10 full-time employees. And a staff report says the program will prioritize “underserved, minority businesses that have not been able to access any federal funding … and are in desperate need of capital.”

Access Plus Capital

Since its inception in 2009, Access Plus Capital’s multilingual staff has lent over $35 million to hundreds of entrepreneurs.

“As a mission-focused lender, we can’t afford to turn our backs on small businesses when they need us the most,” said Tate Hill, Access Plus Capital’s executive director. “We don’t know all that the future holds in the coming months, but we are committed to finding innovative solutions to meeting the capital and business coaching needs of our local business owners.”

Fresno CDFI dba Access Plus Capital is a subsidiary of the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission. Fresno EOC, a 501(c)3 non-profit community action agency, has more than five decades of experience investing in and helping people become self-sufficient.

 

DON'T MISS

Merced Police Chief: Local Sexual Assault Exams ‘Worth’ Higher Cost

DON'T MISS

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes to Headline Chukchansi’s Summer Series with ‘Family Reunion Tour’

DON'T MISS

Sue or Hold Back? The University of California Does Both as It Faces Trump’s Wrath

DON'T MISS

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

DON'T MISS

Americans Trade Michelin Stars for Mac and Cheese

DON'T MISS

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

DON'T MISS

Hamas Says It Accepts New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal but Israel Makes Counter-Offer

DON'T MISS

Andrew Tate’s Ex-Girlfriend Accuses Him of Sexual Assault and Battery in New Lawsuit

DON'T MISS

Protesters Rebelling Against Elon Musk’s Purge of US Government Swarm Tesla Showrooms

DON'T MISS

Plastics Are Seeping Into Farm Fields, Food and Eventually Human Bodies

UP NEXT

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes to Headline Chukchansi’s Summer Series with ‘Family Reunion Tour’

UP NEXT

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

UP NEXT

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

UP NEXT

Top Vaccine Official Resigns From FDA, Criticizes RFK Jr. for Promoting Misinformation, Lies

UP NEXT

Is Fresno Political Consultant Alex Tavlian Behind Election Attack Mailer?

UP NEXT

St. Agnes’ Newest Robot Promises Less Invasive Surgeries, Faster Recoveries

UP NEXT

Madera Authorities Seize 80 Pounds of Meth, Arrest Two Suspects

UP NEXT

Merced Receives Satanic Flag Request Amid Policy Debate

UP NEXT

Tulare County Wetlands Preserve Is Open to Public on Saturday

UP NEXT

Fresno County Missing Child: 7-Year-Old Damien Deleon

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

14 hours ago

Americans Trade Michelin Stars for Mac and Cheese

16 hours ago

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

1 day ago

Hamas Says It Accepts New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal but Israel Makes Counter-Offer

1 day ago

Andrew Tate’s Ex-Girlfriend Accuses Him of Sexual Assault and Battery in New Lawsuit

1 day ago

Protesters Rebelling Against Elon Musk’s Purge of US Government Swarm Tesla Showrooms

1 day ago

Plastics Are Seeping Into Farm Fields, Food and Eventually Human Bodies

2 days ago

Myanmar’s Earthquake Death Toll Jumps to 1,644 as More Bodies Are Recovered From the Rubble

2 days ago

Top Vaccine Official Resigns From FDA, Criticizes RFK Jr. for Promoting Misinformation, Lies

2 days ago

If You Want to Ski Affordably Next Season, Buy Now

2 days ago

Merced Police Chief: Local Sexual Assault Exams ‘Worth’ Higher Cost

Last year, The Merced FOCUS reported that for the first time in over a decade, a crucial service for survivors of sexual assault would be of...

13 hours ago

13 hours ago

Merced Police Chief: Local Sexual Assault Exams ‘Worth’ Higher Cost

13 hours ago

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes to Headline Chukchansi’s Summer Series with ‘Family Reunion Tour’

14 hours ago

Sue or Hold Back? The University of California Does Both as It Faces Trump’s Wrath

14 hours ago

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

16 hours ago

Americans Trade Michelin Stars for Mac and Cheese

1 day ago

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

1 day ago

Hamas Says It Accepts New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal but Israel Makes Counter-Offer

1 day ago

Andrew Tate’s Ex-Girlfriend Accuses Him of Sexual Assault and Battery in New Lawsuit

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend