Sonia Smith of the U.S. Small Business Administration presented to two groups at SCI Waymart on March 31.
Business Education Teacher Mary Beth Pasqualicchio invited Sonia, a presenter at Waymart for years, to speak with her Entrepreneurship class. Following that presentation, Sonia spoke with interested inmates about how they could use the SBA to meet their career goals as reentrants.
Participants learned about Sonia’s experiences as a business owner and entrepreneur. They also learned about the difference between grants and loans, how to apply for an SBA loan, the criteria for certain grants, available mentoring resources, available online courses, and how to qualify to be a federal contractor. Participants also learned that resources available through the Women’s Business Association are available to all – not just women. All participants in both sessions were attentive, asked pertinent questions, and left with information that they could share with others.
Waymart’s education staff is fortunate to have outside speakers such as Sonia willing to share their time and information with inmates so that they can be better prepared to navigate the business world as reentrants. Sonia promised to return in the fall for Waymart’s Career and Reentry Fair.