SBA Office of Advocacy helps small business

Black Iowa News Q&A with Darcella Craven, the regional advocate for Region 7 in the SBA Office of Advocacy, which covers Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas.

What does the SBA Office of Advocacy do?

Craven: “Our office is an independent voice for small businesses within the federal government. We ensure small business views and concerns are heard in the regulatory process by providing policymakers and small business stakeholders with the knowledge they need to advance the small business economy. Our office has attorneys and economists who educate federal regulators, argue for regulatory changes on behalf of small businesses and research issues that matter the most to the small business economy.”

What happens after small business owners share their comments with you about federal regulations?

Craven: “I work with our regulatory staff in Washington, D.C., to ensure that federal regulators are aware of the impact of these rules on small business. When small businesses alert us to an issue, we hold roundtable meetings online to gather more input, solicit more feedback and encourage direct work with our regulatory staff in Washington, D.C., to ensure that federal regulators are aware of the impact of these rules on small business. When small businesses alert us to an issue, we hold roundtable meetings online to gather more input, solicit more feedback and encourage direct comments to the agency. Advocacy will hold conversations with federal regulators to attempt to make changes to regulations that disproportionately impact small business, and, if necessary, we participate in the rulemaking conversation by writing letters of our own.”

What strategies does the Office of Advocacy employ to ensure the voices of Black-owned and underserved small businesses are adequately heard?

Craven: “We encourage all businesses, including Black-owned and underserved small businesses, to contact us with their regulatory issues so that we can better understand the problems you face. Advocacy also has a team of research economists who prepare products to better help policymakers understand Black-owned small businesses. Our infographic series, for instance, spotlights the contributions Black owners make to the U.S. economy, and our team writes and contracts for research reports on small business issues. Notably, we contracted out for a study of the impacts of COVID-19 on racial disparities in small business earnings. This report came out in Fall 2022.”

Reach her at darcella.craven@sba.gov. Follow the SBA’s Office of Advocacy on Facebook.

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The story first appeared in the fall edition of the Black Iowa Newspaper. Subscribe.