COVID-19 is challenging the future of many small businesses, but four local entrepreneurs have found creative solutions to keep their doors open, backed by a $1 million donation from Wells Fargo to three nonprofit lenders that are helping these businesses and others.

City First Enterprises, the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif), and the Latino Economic Development Council (LEDC) are all helping D.C.-area small business owners adapt their business models to changing safety requirements, find funding to keep employees on payroll, and even give back to the community along the way:

1. Kianna Fowlkes, The Shuttle Bus Company, Ward 8
   Fowlkes has reconfigured her fleet of buses to include a new COVID-19 compliant shuttle bus service in order to address her clients’ health concerns. With financing help from City First Enterprises, the reconfigured shuttles include socially distanced seating, protective barriers throughout and other key safety protocols.
2. Jessica Swift, Chef Jess, Ward 5
   Registered dietician and chef Jessica Swift has leveraged debt relief from Wacif to move her Chef Jess catering and meal delivery service to a commissary-style kitchen. Despite COVID-19 causing a decrease in her catering revenue, she’s been able to keep her business afloat by creating a meal-matching partnership with her existing clients. This has allowed Swift to provide meals to frontline workers, including more than 100 meals to Holy Cross Hospital in the D.C. suburbs.
3. Dewayne Holley, Rizeup Technology, Ward 8
   Holley launched Rizeup Technology as an IT training and certification resource for D.C. residents. After receiving six months of debt relief from Wacif, Dewayne has pivoted Rizeup’s business model to focus on IT staffing, stabilizing his revenue and connecting District residents with good jobs during the public health crisis.
4. Dr. Karen Cooper, Comprehensive and Cosmetic Dental, Ward 7
   Cooper is the latest in a line of diverse entrepreneurs who have continuously operated the dental practice over the last 60 years. After receiving a resilience grant through Wacif, Cooper and her team have been able to purchase air filters and personal protective equipment for the practice, while still covering payroll for the staff so they can continue serving the local community near Minnesota Avenue’s commercial corridor.

Wells Fargo’s $1 million grant is part of the company’s commitment to donate $175 million to help nonprofits and communities address the impacts of the coronavirus. The company is also taking additional steps to support its small business customers. LEARN MORE.