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Window shopping and small business success!

April 21, 2020
Success Story: Wisconsin –

Equinox Botanical BoutiqueTo be a small business in this time of Covid-19 is unprecedented, not to mention stressful, emotional, scary and anxiety provoking. So what can you do to make lemonade out of lemons? Small business owner Maria Caravati of Equinox Botanical Boutique in downtown Kenosha, Wisconsin is promoting WINDOW SHOPPING!

Community needs now

Maria opened Equinox Botanical Boutique in June of 2019. Before that, her business was also called Equinox but specialized in massage, facials and products. It was a wellness boutique which she operated for 18 years. But over the years she became well versed in plants for food, medicine, wellness and beauty. Maria decided that what her community needed now was basic skills in planting and preparing food from self-sustained back yard gardens. She closed for a month and completely changed her business model.

And then the virus came… and in her own words… she started freaking out! After a phone call to her SBDC consultant, Mary Fischer-Tracy of the UW Parkside SBDC in Kenosha, and a talk about staying calm and utilizing government funding, Maria decided that she had to get back to doing what made her happy and hopeful. She started planting and sharing her plants on social media. Pretty soon, her clients were asking how they could get plants even though she was closed. Maria had an idea! (more…)

COVID-19 and cleaning businesses: How to keep your business safe from risks

April 16, 2020
By Insureon Staff –

Cleaning businesses are at the front lines battling against the spread of COVID-19. Take these steps to keep your employees, your customers, and your business healthy.

While the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is hurting businesses across many industries, cleaning and janitorial businesses have seen a sharp increase in demand.

Cleaning service requests are pouring in as businesses and households try to prevent further infection. The online jobs platform ZipRecruiter reports that March 2020 demand for cleaners is up 75% from a year ago.

As cleaning businesses hustle to meet the changing needs of new and current customers, they must also prepare for possible financial and physical risks.

Follow these practical steps to avoid potential pitfalls if you take on the coronavirus. (more…)

Answers to your coronavirus (COVID-19) business insurance coverage questions

April 2, 2020
By Insureon Staff –

The coronavirus outbreak has left many small businesses owners wondering if their insurance covers losses caused by the pandemic. Insureon experts answer the most frequently asked questions.

Insureon is as committed as ever to working with your business during these tough times. We’re continuing to deliver services, products, and support no matter where you – or we – may be working.

Our team is closely monitoring the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) to ensure we have the latest facts and coverage information. We’re dedicated to minimizing any disruptions to you while ensuring the safety of our employees.

Insureon knows you have many coronavirus business insurance coverage questions, and we’ll continually update this webpage with the new developments. Insureon customers with an existing policy should contact their insurance carriers directly to verify coverage and exclusions. (more…)

SBA and Treasury Announce Effort to Distribute $349 Billion in Paycheck Protection Program Funding

April 1, 2020

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of the Treasury announced that they have initiated a mobilization effort of banks and other lending institutions to provide small businesses with the capital they need to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was recently passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, establishes a new $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program. The new program will provide loans to help small businesses with their payroll and other business operating expenses.

Under this program, businesses will be able to go to a participating SBA 7(a) lender, bank, or credit union, apply for a loan, and be approved on the same day. Loans will be available without collateral requirements, personal guarantees or SBA fees, with a 100% guarantee from SBA. All loan payments will be deferred for six months.

SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first eight weeks of payroll costs, rent, utilities, and mortgage interest. Loans will be available retroactively from February 15, 2020, so that employers can rehire their recently laid-off employees through June 30, 2020.

The program is expected to be up and running by April 3rd. For further details about the program, read the SBA press release here.

Guide to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act

March 31, 2020

The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship has published The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act — a guide to the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was recently passed by Congress and signed into law by the President.

The new law is intended to help business owners with the challenges they face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it creates numerous new resources for small businesses and other employers.

The Senate Committee’s guide provides information about major programs and initiatives in the new law, which will soon be available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), as well as several new tax provisions.

The Guide covers programs and initiatives such as:

• The Paycheck Protection Program, which provides capital to cover the cost of retaining employees;

• The Emergency Economic Injury Grant, which provides a quick infusion of a smaller amount of cash to cover immediate business needs, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans; (more…)