It can take a lot to get a small business going. From developing a business plan to acquiring licenses and permits, from finding a work space to opening your doors, from your first sale to managing your money, there’s a lot to do, and plenty of questions.
There are resources out there, if you know where to look.
“That’s the thing about small businesses,” says Jenny Nguyen, owner of the The Sports Bra and an OnPoint Community Credit Union member. “Sometimes you don’t know what’s out there.”
Nestled within a building that’s almost 100 years old, the Portland sports bar 100% dedicated to women’s sports opened in April 2022, creating a warm, welcoming and safe space that feels lived in, perfect for hosting networking events.
Nguyen hadn’t heard of Oregon Pride In Business when they reached out to host a mixer at The Sports Bra. When she looked into ORPIB, she was astonished and delighted by the resources on offer. Having overcome the challenges of opening a new business as not only a person of color but a member of the LGBTQIA+ community during the pandemic, Nguyen says her initial thoughts were “I wish I’d known about that 18 months ago!”
The mixer was a great success, and Nguyen has been a fan of ORPIB ever since, keeping them in a “rolodex of corporate partners” and referring many small businesses and nonprofits looking for a helping hand.
Helping you and the LGBTQIA+ community thrive.
With state-wide reach, ORPIB is committed to helping LGBTQIA+ businesses thrive. Literally. ORPIB’s THRIVE in Business is a series of growth-inspired programming developed by and for LGBTQIA+ businesses and entrepreneurs. It offers ORPIB members several options:
Mentorship Program: ORPIB connects LGBTQIA+ Mentees with experienced Mentors who can share knowledge, insights, and offer guidance to foster personal and professional growth.
Incubator: Designed specifically for early-stage LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs, the Incubator program accelerates the path to legally doing business and provides essential education that help new business owners innovate and grow.
Career Readiness Courses: A mix of online and in-person courses designed to equip LGBTQIA+ individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their careers.
Expand your supplier diversity.
ORPIB can also help young businesses with supplier diversity. For many socially conscious companies, a supplier diversity program is integral to their efforts and helps make sure diversity efforts are more than just token efforts.
Eligible ORPIB member businesses may qualify for free NGLCC Certification. These businesses are routinely sought after by NGLCC Corporate Partners. In turn, Certified LGBTBE® companies have access to contacts for hundreds of corporate representatives and supplier diversity professionals. Certification makes it easier to expand not only your client base but your talent pool.
Resources, support, education, and access. These are just some of the ways in which ORPIB’s values align with those of OnPoint Community Credit Union. At OnPoint, we look to connect small businesses with the resources they need, in addition to providing business checking and savings accounts, financing and personalized service. We also support non-profit organizations working to create a diverse and inclusive community, because we believe in reinvesting in the places where we live and work. For that reason, we are proud be a founding platinum partner to ORPIB, with our employees engaging through such channels as volunteer opportunities, DEI training, and social events.
You can bank on a credit union.
Once you’ve established your business, you need a reliable financial institution. OnPoint Community Credit Union is a great choice, aligned with the values of ORPIB and committed to the safety and security of your funds.
A member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, OnPoint offers the same products and services as a bank, with personalized service and a commitment to the community. In addition to checking and savings accounts, OnPoint has much to offer small businesses, including:
Business solutions and merchant services—convenient and secure methods to take payments from customers and pay your employees and vendors.
Business credit cards—earn rewards on the purchases you need to make for your business, and enjoy the security of zero fraud liability.
Business Bundle Rewards—bundle your business banking needs with OnPoint for potential discounts and bonuses to help you cut costs and streamline your needs.
Small business loans and lines of credit—local decisions and local servicing. We’re not a bank; we’re your partner.
Stop by your local OnPoint branch or give us a call at 503.228.7077 or 800.527.3932
Corporations coming together as allies.
ORPIB and OnPoint share a dedication to investing in the community and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion for individuals, small businesses, and nonprofits. Using the resources and services offered by each organization will set up your business for sustained success.
Learn more about joining ORPIB as a corporate partner by visiting https://www.orpib.com/corporate-partnership, or sending our team a note at partnership@orpib.com.