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“I’ve had my ups and downs, but I never had anything like losing 75% of my business,” said Donna Allie, CEO of Team Clean, which boasts a workforce of 300 full-time employees and 200 partners.
When COVID-19 restrictions were put into place, her clients canceled.
“Because if the buildings are closed, there’s no buildings to clean,” she said.
But thanks to a good banker, accountant and lawyer, Team Clean applied for SBA relief. On Monday, the company received a sizable loan through the Payroll Protection Program, which will allow her to pay her employees, rent and more during the crisis.
The money was in her account within hours.
“I really didn’t think it was going to happen, but I’m so happy,” she said. “I’m praising God.”
Donvan West, president of the African American Chamber of Commerce, noted an overall doubt among black business owners is not uncommon, given redlining and past discrimination.
“There have always been some challenges between the banking industry and communities of color,” he said, which is why so many black businesses operate under the table.
“(But) if you are a legitimate business, you have an EIN, you file taxes, you will qualify,” he added.
The chamber is offering guidance through webinars to help small businesses apply for stimulus loans and grants.