Over the last three weeks we have been addressing an issue recently reported on by the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency regarding disparities in access to financial capital between minority and non-minority companies in the United States. This is my third and final part of this series where we not only address the problem, but offer potential solutions and an open forum to discuss your experiences, questions or concerns. Whereas last week we looked at various sources of capital, this week we will focus on the requirements typically sought by lenders of borrowers and the local and national agencies and resources available to assist business owners with the process.

When my grandfather started his business in 1940’s Cuba, he quickly carved out a niche for himself as a specialist in steel design, fabrication and construction which separated him from his competitors and earned him the respect of his peers.  As a registered engineer, he was certainly qualified to design buildings and foundations for his [...]