Celebrating National Small Biz Week with Inspiring Stories

The first week of May is National Small Business Week! To honor the resilience, hard work, and creativity of H&R Block and Block Advisors’ trailblazing clients, we’ve collected a few stories for you to enjoy and share! Keep scrolling to read about these small business owners’ unique journeys.

Small business resiliency series:

The Block Advisors’ Small Business Resilience Series celebrates small business owners who have persevered through challenging times to find success over the past two years. The series was inspired by findings from a survey from H&R Block of 1,100 Block Advisors self-employed, entrepreneur, and small business owner customers. Check out the stories of resiliency and infographics covering key study findings below!

Resiliency Stories

• Angela McCrae: Paving new ground – championing BIPOC wine, wellness, and culture
• Michael Cahn: The art of Salsa dancing – an unpredictable pursuit of a passion turned thriving business
• Sarah Murray: Many turned to the therapist as the pandemic hit – learn how she put herself and her business first
• Emily Socha: Seeing the bright side – creating a safe and reliable virtual space for her clients
• Patricia Cordova: Environmental rescue – an environmental advocate creating jobs

Key Study Findings

• Block Advisors study finds those who started a business during the pandemic are more resilient than ever
• Study reveals small businesses’ biggest concerns for 2022
• Study shows minority-owned small businesses still heavily impacted by pandemic

Unexpected friendship: a small business owner and his tax advisor

Terrance Williams was passing by a Block Advisors office on his way to a dentist appointment last winter when something told him to stop in and ask about his business taxes. He’d recently expanded his small business, Terrance Williams Designs, and had a hunch he might need some tax help… [keep reading]

Profiles in black entrepreneurship: Partnering with the Urban League

All small businesses deserve equitable access to success—starting with access to money and connections. Armed with data about the negative impact of the pandemic, especially on Black-owned businesses, H&R Block created a program with the Urban League of Greater Kansas City (ULKC). The program offers free financial management resources to Black-owned businesses, aiming to increase their owners’ financial confidence and help them gain access to capital through improved financial readiness.

• H&R Block’s Small business program connects Black-owned businesses (VIDEO)
• Reggie Hines: Making the leap from insurance adjuster to business owner
• Angelynn Howell: Dreaming of being a chef leads to a business
• Alan Kneeland: Creating a neighborhood gathering space
• Ron Smith: Building a family business
• Chris Goode: Bringing healthy food to the community
• Shanita McAfee-Bryant: Chef creates opportunity through culinary program
• Gary Jones: Providing comfort to grieving families

Female Founders Series:

In 2021, Block Advisors partnered with Selfmade, a 10-week virtual business course offered through Brit+Co. The goal? Help female founders create and grow businesses, foster the spirit of entrepreneurship, and build connections with other female entrepreneurs. Our sponsorship provided 200 scholarships for women to take the course at no cost. In a series of four posts, we share the moving experiences of a few of the Block Advisors scholars.

• Overview (Part 1): Female Founders Series – building social capital and community
• Stephanie Smith (Part 2): Leaping into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship
• Kathy Austin (Part 3): The art and joy of balancing education, motherhood, and entrepreneurship
• Teia Collier (Part 4): Diverse experience ignites entrepreneur’s journey