Microenterprise Development in Michigan: Coverage, Access, and Outreach Michigan State University...

Microenterprise Development in Michigan:

Coverage, Access, and Outreach

Michigan State University Center for Regional Economic Innovation

Claire Glenn, Microenterprise Network of Michigan

CoordinatorCommunity Economic Development Association of

Michigan

What is Microenterprise?

What is Microenterprise?• Very small business

What is Microenterprise?• Very small business

• Five employees or fewer

What is Microenterprise?• Very small business

• Five employees or fewer

• $35,000 or less

What is Microenterprise?• Very small business

• Five employees or fewer

• $35,000 or less

• Without access to traditional resources, assistance, capital

Why Microenterprise?

Why Microenterprise?

• Create jobs

Why Microenterprise?

• Create jobs

• Increase the tax base

Why Microenterprise?

• Create jobs

• Increase the tax base

• Promote local purchasing and hiring

Why Microenterprise?

• Create jobs

• Increase the tax base

• Promote local purchasing and hiring

• Place-making

Microenterprise in Michigan

Microenterprise in Michigan

95%

91%

88%

Association for Enterprise Opportunity. http://www.aeoworks.org/pdf/states/Microbusiness_State_Factsheet-MI.pdf

Support for MicroenterpriseMicroenterprise Development

Organizations (MDOs) provide:

Support for MicroenterpriseMicroenterprise Development

Organizations(MDOs) provide:

• Training

Support for MicroenterpriseMicroenterprise Development

Organizations(MDOs) provide:

• Training

• Technical Assistance

Support for MicroenterpriseMicroenterprise Development

Organizations(MDOs) provide:

• Training

• Technical Assistance

• Microenterprise Lending

MNM Research

MNM Research

Methods:

MNM Research

Methods:

• Network of over 100 individual members

MNM Research

Methods:

• Network of over 100 individual members

• 29 direct service providers identified

• 22 total respondents to date

MNM Research

Methods:

• Network of over 100 individual members

• 29 direct service providers identified

• 22 total respondents to date

Products:

MNM Research

Methods:

• Network of over 100 individual members

• 29 direct service providers identified

• 22 total respondents to date

Products:

• Coverage Maps

MNM Research

Methods:

• Network of over 100 individual members

• 29 direct service providers identified

• 22 total respondents to date

Products:

• Coverage Maps

• Resource Directory

Survey Results:Awareness

Survey Results:Awareness

Microenterprise development

• Low familiarity

Survey Results:Awareness

Microenterprise development

• Low familiarity

MDO respondents

• Range of perceived effectiveness

Survey Results:Outreach Strategies

Survey Results:Outreach Strategies

Importance of networks:

Survey Results:Outreach Strategies

Importance of networks:

• Referrals from network connectionso MDOs

• Presentations and public speaking

• Word of mouth

• Attending events, workshops, and panels

Survey Results:Outreach Strategies

Secondary importance:

Survey Results:Outreach Strategies

Secondary importance:

• Social media

• Website

Survey Results:Outreach Strategies

Secondary importance:

• Social media

• Website

Least utilized:

Survey Results:Outreach Strategies

Secondary importance:

• Social media

• Website

Least utilized:

• Success stories

• Newspaper

• Radio and television

• Flyers and posters

Survey Results:Budget restrictions

Survey Results:Budget restrictions

Outreach/Marketing budgets:

• Majority $0

• Range up to $100,000

• Average $5,000

Survey Results:Difficulties

Survey Results:Difficulties

Struggle to reach communities:

Survey Results:Difficulties

Struggle to reach communities:

• Specific industries

• Specific neighborhoods

• Specific demographics

Survey Results:Difficulties

Struggle to reach communities:

• Specific industries

• Specific neighborhoods

• Specific demographics

"Outside of existing networks, there is no way to reach the vast majority of clientelle."

Identifying Needs and Solutions

Identifying Needs and Solutions

Expand coverage of microenterprise development

services in Michigan

Identifying Needs and Solutions

Expand coverage of microenterprise development

services in Michigan

PartnershipsPolicy advocacy

Identifying Needs and Solutions

Expand coverage of microenterprise development

services in Michigan

PartnershipsPolicy advocacy

Promote low- and no-cost marketing and outreach strategies

that reach beyond an MDO's existing network

Identifying Needs and Solutions

Expand coverage of microenterprise development

services in Michigan

PartnershipsPolicy advocacy

Promote low- and no-cost marketing and outreach strategies

that reach beyond an MDO's existing network

Grassroots marketingTechnology-based outreach

PSAs for TV and Radio

Identifying Needs and Solutions

Expand coverage of microenterprise development

services in Michigan

PartnershipsPolicy advocacy

Promote low- and no-cost marketing and outreach strategies

that reach beyond an MDO's existing network

Grassroots marketingTechnology-based outreach

PSAs for TV and Radio

Increase support for MDOs

Identifying Needs and Solutions

Expand coverage of microenterprise development

services in Michigan

PartnershipsPolicy advocacy

Promote low- and no-cost marketing and outreach strategies

that reach beyond an MDO's existing network

Grassroots marketingTechnology-based outreach

PSAs for TV and Radio

Increase support for MDOs CRA fundsIncome-generating marketing

(Cause-related marketing)

Identifying Needs and Solutions

Expand coverage of microenterprise development

services in Michigan

PartnershipsPolicy advocacy

Promote low- and no-cost marketing and outreach strategies

that reach beyond an MDO's existing network

Grassroots marketingTechnology-based outreach

PSAs for TV and Radio

Increase support for MDOs CRA fundsIncome-generating marketing

(Cause-related marketing)

Improve the brand of microenterprise

Identifying Needs and Solutions

Expand coverage of microenterprise development

services in Michigan

PartnershipsPolicy advocacy

Promote low- and no-cost marketing and outreach strategies

that reach beyond an MDO's existing network

Grassroots marketingTechnology-based outreach

PSAs for TV and Radio

Increase support for MDOs CRA fundsIncome-generating marketing

(Cause-related marketing)

Improve the brand of microenterprise

Grassroots marketingEvents

PartnershipsMicroenterprise Network

Contribute!

• Contact Claire Glenn microenterprise@cedam.info

• Take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RNSHHWM

Questions? Thoughts? Feedback?