National Association for the Self-Employed – Business Benefits, Educational Resources and Access to Health Insurance for Small Businesses and Startups > Grant Program Rounds Out Awards Worth $113,000 To NASE Members

Washington, D.C., January 23, 2008 – The National Association for the Self-Employed awarded $113,544 in business grants to its members in 2007, bringing the program total to over $250,000 in awards since 2006.

Twenty-three NASE Members received a grant from the association this year. NASE Members can apply for up to $5,000 for a specific business need such as the purchase of new equipment or software, or the funding of advertising, marketing materials and training. The awards are part of the NASE Business Development Grant Program, which started in 2006.

The NASE Business Development Grant Program offers access to capital for micro-business owners who have a specific business need – but lack the finances to carry out that goal. The program was designed after an online NASE Member poll found that a majority of micro-business owners (57 percent) initially fund their businesses using personal savings, and many (40 percent) continue to use personal savings for ongoing financing.

“Finding the funding to grow a micro-business is a constant challenge to our members,” said Robert Hughes, president of the NASE. “The NASE continues to advocate in Washington, D.C., for greater access to capital for the self-employed. But in the meantime, we wanted to provide an immediate solution for our members.”

The following NASE Members received grants in 2007:

Missy Axton-Wryn of Nature's Balance Care in Estacada, Ore.
Julie and Dan Braeckman of Daunting Task Studios in Bordentown, N.J.
John Bragg of Larry’s Locksmith in Shelbyville, Ill.
Brian Brophy of New Creation Construction in Lockeford, Calif.
Brent Dorsey of The Paint Gallery in Moorefield, W.Va.
Rolita Edwards of Lita’s Pooch Hut in Bedford Heights, Ohio
Brent Eriksen of Atlanta Handyman and Remodeling in Smyrna, Ga.
Robert Frye of Frye Bros. Plumbing in Ramage, Pa.
Jacquelyn Gadsden of There’s Room, Inc. in Columbia, S.C.
Robert Grimes of Ace High Ballooning in Lewisburg, Tenn.
Jeffrey Harrelson of Apex Training and Development in Dubuque, Iowa
Elizabeth Hawkins of Lizzie B Cre8ive in Tucson, Ariz.
Iris Hood of Hood Company in Pearl, Miss.
Renee Horner of Three E Graphic Design in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Steve Laughlin of Skidsteer Plus Landclearing in Highlandville, Mo.
Robert McConville of McConville Cattle in Indianola, Neb.
Edwin Newsome of Become One LLC in Elkhart, Ind.
Mutondo Ngaway of Mamu Cleaning Services in Columbia, Md.
Sheri Novak of Hazelnut Kids LLC in Traverse City, Mich.
Tracie Smith of Tracie’s Community Farm in Sullivan, N.H.
Kira Villarreal of Happily Ever After Designs in San Antonio, Texas
Karen Wharton of Wharton Carpet Services in Jamul, Calif.
Stephanie Yotz of Mountain View Pediatric Speech & Language, Inc. in North Bend, Wash.

Learn about grant recipients from 2006.

About the NASE
The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is the nation's leading resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses, bringing a broad range of benefits to help entrepreneurs succeed and to drive the continued growth of this vital segment of the American economy. The NASE is a 501(c) (6) nonprofit organization and provides big-business advantages to hundreds of thousands of micro-businesses across the United States. For more information, visit the association's Web site at www.NASE.org.

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