Opportunity or Not?

The recently signed executive order for the “Opportunity Zone” could be beneficial or not depending on which side of the tracks you reside. The New York Times reports that President Trump said the purpose of the order was to help “draw investment into neglected and undeserved communities of America so that all Americans regardless of ZIP code have access to the American dream.” If you are a woman, who may fit into the category of disadvantaged and/or undeserved with a desire to start her own business, the "opportunity zone" could offer the funds to initiate the process. Undeserved is defined as many families who live paycheck-to-paycheck are currently undeserved by the financial services industry. Medically disadvantaged with regard to health services because of inability to pay, inability to access care, or other disparities for reasons of race, religion, language group or social status. Twenty-Seven percent of businesses surveyed by the National Small Business Administration (NSBA) claimed that they were not able to receive the funding they needed. However, who and what determines the extent of disadvantaged and undeserved. Likewise, although the funds will be provided initially for start-ups and loans what is the strategy for sustainability and ensuring that these women owned start-up businesses are successful. Forty percent of small businesses are profitable, 30 percent break even and 30 percent are continually losing money. The goal of the federal government is to allocate at least five percent of all federal contract dollars to businesses owned and run by women. There are two programs in which will benefit women-owned small businesses (WOSBs) and economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs). These two programs authorize contracting officers to set aside certain federal contracts for these qualified businesses, but you must be certified with the federal government. Companies operated by women, have generated more revenues despite receiving less funding. Therefore, being a woman real estate investor could possibly allow the opportunity to invest in other women while receiving much needed tax breaks and eventually the elimination of being taxed on investment gains. The industries with the highest success rates were finance, insurance, and real estate with 58 percent of these businesses were noted as still operating after 4 years. One recommendation to ensure success on both ends would be for the women owned realtor investors that have the opportunity to invest in these communities start a mentorship program for the women who desire to start their own businesses and are eligible for the program. Mentorship would definitely ensure accountability, sustainability, and a return on investment. The most important thing to annotate in our hearts is the need to unite and help one another and for a plethora of better thoughts, we are all deserving.

2 Corinthians 9:6

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

1 Corinthians 1:10

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.