This week — May 5-11 — is Small Business Week. And what a time to celebrate our local businesses (after a long 2020). 🛍️

Behind the scenes of many Greenville businesses is CommunityWorks: a financial nonprofit that has been in the Upstate since 2008, providing business coaching and small business lending to entrepreneurs, along with affordable housing opportunities. They’ve provided over 250 small business loans — a value of over $5.2 million — (with a particular focus on serving underserved populations) to help local, small businesses over the years — like Tina Rodgers’ Greenville Soy Candle Company and Justin Smith’s CrossFit franchise.

CommunityWorks offers Small Business Loans, Microbusiness Loans + Express Loans, with no cost to apply (and a convenient application form) — wasting no time helping your mom-and-pop dream become a reality.

If you’re a female founder looking for a more network-based business approach, CommunityWorks’ Women’s Business Center (WBC) offers a supportive network with several hands-on opportunities, whether you’re an established entrepreneur or still trying to get your business off the ground. Ⓟ