By Taylor Clark Jacobson
Director of Recruitment & Growth, REV Birmingham 

Birmingham’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is collaborating to rapidly create and implement programs to support small businesses like yours – that are the fabric of a vibrant economy. Together, we are triaging what feels like a tragedy but will ultimately make us stronger.   

We ask for your patience, because federal guidance is evolving daily. It is unclear what role a stimulus package might play, but our community is analyzing the gaps to determine how we can best meet Birmingham’s needs.  

We can’t walk in your shoes, but REV’s Business Growth team can— and will —walk with you.  As your business coaches, we encourage you to use this time wisely, to analyze your business model, to diversify your revenue streams, to solidify your financial foundation. We are following this three-pronged approach to meet your COVID-10-related small business needs:  

Contextualizing  

• We’re researching and continuing conversations with community, city, state and regional leaders to offer historical perspective and analysis to the issues facing our community.  
• We’re using our REV social channels and email communications to provide analysis and concise content that adds value to small business growth clients.  
• We’re listening for and seizing opportunities to advocate for small businesses.   

Convening  

• We are scheduling strategy calls with ecosystem stakeholders to determine how we can be most effective.  
• We’re sharing resources in real-time, ensuring all partners are receiving the same info and have the same understanding.  
• And, we’re leading the conversation around pivoting your business model for a new norm.  

Coaching  

• We’re walking downtown and Woodlawn and calling business owners in those districts to find out from them how we can offer support.   
• We’re offering business coaching via Zoom to listen, brainstorm and creatively problem solve for your business.  
• We’re using our existing tools for coaching small businesses such as our 30-60-90 roadmapping plan to guide entrepreneurs through this time.   

We’re working in this ever-evolving situation to not only help you through these strange times but to help you come out of them stronger than ever.

CONTACT OUR TEAM

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Business Growth team for coaching and roadmapping needs—and check out the information below about more resources for you.