Covid-19’s Impact on Our Communities Highlights Part 1 - Small Businesses

"I think that people forget that. These small businesses, they're the ones that are sponsoring your sports teams, which are helping with school things, and that are doing fundraisers that are giving back to the community all the time." - Rebecca Bertoldi

When COVID-19 hit, we launched a series to spotlight the small businesses that sustain our communities. Five years on, many are still rebuilding. This highlight episode revisits candid conversations with policymakers, advisors, and owners about what truly helped—and what must happen next.

Top Problems

• Financing gaps & collapsing revenue put leases, payroll, and inventory at risk.
• Technology barriers slowed the pivot to online sales and services.
• Minimal cash reserves left micro and solo enterprises exposed.

Top Solutions

• SBA pathways: PPP (including second draw), EIDL working capital, and SBA debt relief that covered principal and interest for existing borrowers.
• Hands-on technical assistance: devices, training, and coaching to move operations online and reach customers.
• Community-led purchasing: direct takeout, gift cards, curated boxes, catering, and pop-ups to keep dollars local.

Show Guests

• Julie Clowes, District Director, Small Business Administration's San Francisco District Office
• Tim Russell, Program Director, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
• Sharon Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
• Pierre Coeurdeuil, Director of Advising & Education, SFMade
• Amanda Fried, Chief of Policy and Communications, Treasurer for the City and County of San Francisco
• Adam Fowler, founding partner, CVL Economics
• Kristin Houk Owner of All Good Pizza, TATO, Café Alma
• Rebecca Bertoldi, Rebecca Bertoldi Marketing
• Pooja Rajani, Director of Programs, En 2 Action
• Laurie Thomas, Executive Director, Golden Gate Restaurant Association
• Shannon Walter, Manager, Blue Plate SF
• Jeff Trenam, Owner, Blue Plate SF
• Michelle Pusateri, Owner, Nana Joes Granola
• Andrea Baker, Founder, En 2 Action

Show Hosts

• Eric Estrada / Co-Host/ VOC
• George Koster/Producer/Host Voices of the Community

Why listen
You’ll hear what it really took to survive: from emergency capital and city tax relief to e-commerce pivots and neighborhood solidarity. Owners share the stress, the ingenuity, and the lessons they want every community to remember.

Take action
 After you listen, do one thing to strengthen your local economy:
• Order direct from neighborhood restaurants and makers (skip third-party delivery when you can).
• Buy gift cards or curated boxes, book local catering for meetings and events.
• Donate or volunteer with the support organizations featured in this episode.
• Share this episode with a friend who loves small businesses as much as you do.

🎧 Listen now | 📺 Watch the episodes | 💬 Get involved!

For more information, guest details, and resources from this episode, visit our episode web page

Make a Donation: Support Voices of the Community, fiscally sponsored by Intersection for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and enjoy tax deductions for your contributions. 

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Delve deeper into the Voices of the Community Series on Arts & Culture, Making the Invisible Visible, Covid-19's impact on nonprofits, small enterprises and local government, the City of Stockton's rise from the ashes of bankruptcy, and our archives:You can explore episodes, speakers, organizations, and resources through each series web page. Watch and learn from all five series now!,