Two first-year MBA students from the College of William & Mary, Vicki Harrington and Cara Simpson, have been providing startup assistance to MBA students and small businesses struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic. They have helped businesses navigate the process of applying for Small Business Association loans and have also provided marketing assistance. The students plan to expand their assistance to give business leaders access to the university faculty and offer one-on-one support. They’ve also recruited a team of 30 other students to help scale their operation and plan to continue their support on a first-come, first-served basis.
Introduction
While the College of William & Mary has closed its campus and taken learning online, two students are still finding a way to assist businesses struggling from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Connecting Businesses to Crisis Services
Vicki Harrington and Cara Simpson, both first-year MBA students, are helping Williamsburg-area small businesses navigate the effects of the outbreak by connecting them to crisis services for free. Since beginning their efforts in the last week of March, the two have heard from dozens of companies across Hampton Roads.
Assisting with Small Business Association Loans
As they began to help businesses, Simpson said, the biggest need was help navigating the process of applying for $350 billion in Small Business Association loans — a program which has since run out of money after receiving 1.6 million applications. When a small business owner asked them about the program, Harrington was able to point businesses to local banks that were offering the loans.
Providing Marketing Assistance
Additionally, they were able to help with marketing — helping businesses find ways to promote selling their products on a fast turnaround.
Expanding Assistance and Recruiting Team
Going forward, Simpson and Harrington want to move beyond simply connecting business owners with the right people and resources. They want to give business leaders access to William & Mary faculty and eventually work with businesses one-on-one — diving into their issues and offering more comprehensive assistance. They’ve also recruited a team of 30 other students to begin scaling up the operation.
Continued Support and Contact Information
The pair plan to continue to offer help on a rolling first-come, first-served basis. They encourage business owners to reach out by emailing them at wmmbacrisisservices@gmail.com.
Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@insidebiz.com
Question & Answer
Who are the two first-year MBA students from the College of William & Mary providing startup assistance?
The two first-year MBA students from the College of William & Mary providing startup assistance are Vicki Harrington and Cara Simpson.
What kind of assistance have Vicki Harrington and Cara Simpson been providing to MBA students and small businesses?
Vicki Harrington and Cara Simpson have been helping businesses navigate the process of applying for Small Business Association loans and have also provided marketing assistance.
How do Vicki Harrington and Cara Simpson plan to expand their assistance?
Vicki Harrington and Cara Simpson plan to expand their assistance by giving business leaders access to the university faculty and offering one-on-one support. They have also recruited a team of 30 other students to help scale their operation.
How can business owners reach out for assistance from Vicki Harrington and Cara Simpson?
Business owners can reach out for assistance by emailing Vicki Harrington and Cara Simpson at wmmbacrisisservices@gmail.com.
