Jennifer Little-Greer | The Minority Construction Council, Inc.
May Small Business Month
The month of May is traditionally the celebration of Small Business Month. Due to COVID-19 advisories and focus towards relief efforts, this year’s celebration of small business week has been postponed to a later date in 2020.
We’re excited to celebrate with the small business community later this year. In the meantime, we also feel the importance of highlighting small businesses in our footprint now more than ever.
This month we will be featuring some of the incredible small businesses within the Berkshire Bank family, while highlighting some need to know truths about small business and their impact on the overall wellness of our economy.
Today we are celebrating Jennifer Little-Greer & The Minority Construction Council in CT
Can you tell us a bit more about your company?
The Minority Construction Council was founded November 28, 2005. The mission of the Minority Construction Council is to advocate, support, provide business development training and contracting opportunities for minority contractors throughout the State of Connecticut. Our other focus is to build relationships between our MBE Members, Corporate Members and partners in the public and private construction industries. Our Values: Creating Opportunities Through Advocacy, Development and Partnerships
What’s something your company has worked on that you’re most proud of? Why does this part of the work resonate with you the most?
In 2019 the MCC is proud to have assisted the Connecticut General Assembly with proposing legislative language that was implemented to decrease the number of days a contractor is to get paid on Connecticut state projects from 30 days to 25 days. I am able to work with small and minority contractors to assist them with growing their business.
What was your first job? What did you love most about it?
I was a paper girl for the Boston Globe and I delivered the daily newspaper to local residents. I was the top paper girl for my region for obtaining the most customers. As a result, I won a 4 days trip to Disney World in Orlando Florida.
What is the most important piece of advice you have been given about money and/or owning a business? Who gave it to you?
As a business owner you should have a Business Checking, Business Savings or Business Money Market Account. Also implement an accounting system to record your business transactions. Most importantly you should reinvest the profits earned back into your business to grow your business. This was advice I received from my mentor.
How would you say your company/organization positively impacts the community?
The Minority Construction Council provides technical assistance to small and minority businesses. During this COVID-19 season, we are partnering with the Connecticut Department of Economic Community Development and the City of Hartford to assist small businesses with completing and uploading their required documents for the loan and grant applications.
How can people best support you during these times?
The Minority Construction Council is a non-profit organization. Annually we hold our Partnership Awards Dinner to raise funds to cover our operating expense and staff salaries. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, we had to cancel our annual fundraiser that was scheduled to take place on May 12, 2020. This fundraiser would raise approximately $55,000 to $65,000 for the organization. As a result, we do not have these needed resources. We are currently seeking corporates to support efforts.
