The American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA)
Aiding a Renascence of the American Entrepreneurial Spirit
Communities across America are recognizing more than ever the need to support their local small businesses, big corporations have not helped their communities and in fact are hurting them by driving the small businesses out and reducing the employment opportunities for the young folks in the community. For decades, since 1933 in fact, the laws that govern the ability to raise capital for your business have been slanted towards businesses connected to wealthy, the so-called Accredited investor. An exclusive club that has enjoyed great privilege and opportunities and control over our economy. This has left many small businesses with limited opportunity to acquire the capital they needed to compete with the massive corporations.
Now, new laws and regulations have come into place that will help level the playing field. The JOBS Act of 2012 and the regulatory updates that took place in 2021 enable independent small businesses to raise up to $5 million under what is called Regulation Crowdfunding, Reg CF.
Organizations like American Independent Business Alliance, AMIBA, are helping to spread the word about the new financing opportunity. AMIBA has been helping promote community centric organizations for 20 years.
One of their newer programs- the Local Leaders Roundtable, offering a variety of webinar presentations. The July program featured Devin Thorpe from the SuperCrowd, he provided a great presentation, an overview on the new Investment Crowdfunding laws.
How Small Businesses Can Raise Capital from the Crowd
These new regulations open the doors for not only the small business but also the communities at large to benefit by having the opportunity to invest in local businesses in ways that were available only to millionaires and accredited investors.
Another program that AMIBA has, the Choose Indie Local Campaign, each month focuses on a different business segment, banking to food to entertainment, in October, as the holiday shopping season takes off, the focus is independent artist. Promoting the value of buying individual crafts as an expression of friendship and love. Set yourself and your friends apart from the masses with unique gifts created by local artists.
Another champion of free markets and community businesses is The Main Street Journal, published by Michael Shuman on Substack. A longtime advocate of independent businesses, Shuman brings his expertise, insight and inspiration to the business and economic issues challenging our small communities.
All three of these organizations are a benefit to the small, independent businesses and I encourage you to consider subscribing and joining with their efforts.
Resources Connections
American Independent Business Alliance
Devin Thorpe’s Presentation
How Small Businesses Can Raise Capital from the Crowd
Final thought….
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”
Albert Einstein
Thanks for the shoutout! Our friends at AMIBA and the Main Street Journal will appreciate it, too!