National Association for the Self-Employed – Business Benefits, Educational Resources and Access to Health Insurance for Small Businesses and Startups > Micro-Grant Program Awards Over $85,000 to NASE Members In 2008

Washington, D.C., January 22, 2009 – The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) awarded $85,772 in business grants to its members in 2008, bringing the program total to over $350,000 in awards since 2006. Seventeen NASE Members, ranging from a property preservation company to a creative bureau, received a grant from the association this year.

Premier-level 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.

“Over the past two years, we’ve seen how just a small amount of capital can get a business off the ground,” said NASE President Robert Hughes. “When a retailer can suddenly sell products online or a contractor can buy a piece of equipment instead of renting it—those minor changes to the way a business operates can generate huge profits.”

The following NASE Members received grants in 2008:

Joseph Carr of Carr Development Group, Inc. in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Gina Covello of Habla Language Services in San Jose, Calif.
Robert Crosser of Southwest Hauling, LLC in Eloy, Ariz.
Cheryl Cruson of Oregon Trail Hobbies & Gifts in Ontario, Ore.
Jill Dittrich of Thresholds of Madison, LLC in Madison, Wis.
Scott Dullock of The House Doctors in Jackson, Mich.
Lora Edelman of Curves of Walla Walla in Walla Walla, Wash.
Melodie Ellis of Melodie’s Music & Dance in Trophy Club, Texas
Kathy Hester of Kathy Hester’s On Target Golf Schools in Vicksburg, Miss.
Christopher Hutcheson of Peachtree Restoration LLC in Manchester, N.H.
Richard Hylan of Hylan Plumbing Co. in Rocky Mount, N.C.
Regina Milan of Ideation Ink, LLC in Santaquin, Utah
Dawn O’Neil of Dawn O’Neil’s Family Child Care in Ashley Falls, Mass.
Jennifer Peace of Peaceful Images Styling Salon in Great Falls, Mont.
Gregory Steeg of Steeg’s Haul-Away Service, Inc. in Rock Falls, Ill.
Carlene Thompson of D & C Entertainment LLC in Delafield, Wis.
Tiffany Washington of Washington Accounting Services in Waldorf, Md.

Learn more about grant recipients from 2006 and 2007.

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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