As the Board of the National Small Business Advocacy Council (NSBAC), we have a vested interest in ensuring that the next President of the United States prioritizes the needs and challenges of small businesses. Our diverse, four female, one male all-volunteer board proudly owns the fact that as small business owners, we know first-hand the challenges of owning and running a business. Post-pandemic we formed NSBAC to champion protections and legislative initiatives to benefit all of our nation’s small businesses. We believe the future success of small businesses nationwide depends on strong leadership that prioritizes entrepreneurship, innovation and fairness. Kamala Harris is that leader. We proudly endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President and look forward to supporting her in the upcoming election, and are confident that as President, she will foster an economically beneficial environment for small businesses, entrepreneurship and workforce development.
“We have a duty to make sure that all small-business owners have the support and the resources they need.” – Kamala Harris
Vice President Harris’ proposed $50,000 tax credit for small business startups is not just a financial incentive; it is a vote of confidence for the potential of small businesses to drive economic growth and innovation. In an era where access to capital remains a significant challenge especially to black, brown, immigrant, women and LGBTQ+-owned businesses, this credit could be transformative, providing the necessary resources for startups to thrive rather than merely survive. We believe Harris’ startup tax credit represents a crucial form of direct assistance that can help owners like us expand, create jobs and take on new projects.
“We’ve got to go after the bad actors” – Kamala Harris
Allison Allain, CEO of PCI Builders and Antonette Vanasek, CEO, Vanasek Insurance Services who serve as president and vice president of the NSBAC Board respectively, know all too well how small businesses can become prey to predatory practices, especially in the construction and financial service industries. We are encouraged by Harris’ dedication to combating “bad actors” and “greedflation” – a term used to describe the inflation crisis in the U.S.. that has been worsened by corporations increasing prices or reducing product sizes to boost profits. Supporting a Harris presidency means voting in a leader who has pledged to crack down on predatory lending practices and other unethical financial schemes giving businesses a fair chance to flourish.
“We help build a future where all people, no matter where they are or where they start, have the resources they need to not only succeed, but to thrive.” – Kamala Harris
A cornerstone of Harris’ campaign is her recognition of the vital importance of a diverse workforce in driving the success of small businesses. We echo Vice President Harris’ stance on pro-immigration reforms. It is our collective belief at NSBAC that diversity is a catalyst for innovation and effective problem-solving. NSBAC Board member and CEO of SkyView Concessions, Apryl Stewart states that, “Harris has consistently advocated for equity in the business world, and we believe the best candidate will ensure that small businesses, especially diverse and women-owned, continue to have a seat at the
table.”
“We must and we will invest in the industries that built America.” – Kamala Harris
In addition to these key issues, NSBAC stresses that Harris’ broader economic policies are pro-growth and pro-business. Louis Hirsch, CEO and owner of Parker Lighting, Inc. brings representation for small manufacturers to the NSBAC Board, an industry that is constantly evolving. “We need a leader who will fuel innovation and allow U.S. manufacturers to compete in a global market.” Dr. Jennifer Charles, CEO of Building Block Resolutions and NSBAC Board Secretary believes as Vice President, Harris has fostered equity and opportunity across all industry sectors and has no doubt that as President, she will continue to make policy decisions that bolster an inclusive economy where people all across the nation will have an opportunity to start, grow and thrive as small businesses owners and entrepreneurs.
“SBA has nearly doubled small dollar loans” – statement by Biden-Harris Administration
Preserving and strengthening essential institutions is a cornerstone of Harris’s platform. One of the most critical components of her agenda is her unwavering dedication to the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA). This vital institution serves as a lifeline for millions of small businesses across the nation. In the current climate, where proposals threaten to defund or reduce its reach, Harris’s advocacy is not only necessary but essential to ensure that the SBA can continue to support future generations of entrepreneurs.
“My economic plan allows entrepreneurs and small business owners to get their foot in the door and turn their dreams into reality.” – Kamala Harris
The National Small Business Advocacy Council stands united in our endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the next President of the United States. Together, we represent different races and cultures, different socioeconomic backgrounds, different sexual orientation and we all own small businesses very different from each other. Yet, we stand together and implore our fellow small business owners to see presidential candidate Harris as the right and clear choice to protect our future. It is her vision that best combines immediate support to small businesses with strategic and compassionate long-term actionable policies that will further the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that has long-defined the United States.
Allison Allain is the president of the National Small Business Advocacy Council. She can be reached at [email protected]
