To help entrepreneurs and small business owners find the help they need, we have compiled a list of resources targeted at COVID-19 related business challenges. This list will be updated as new information and resources as they become available.

Today we are profiling Mario Diaz, President and CEO of Reef Contractors. A self-described lifelong learner, Mario had successful careers in both medicine and healthcare administration before launching his general contracting company. 

Owning a small business in today’s corporate America, a world increasingly obsessed with lower prices and convenience, is hard work, a never ending battle against the Amazons and Walmarts of the world. Fortunately, the choice to operate a business independently does not have to mean going it alone. There are regional organizations that work to provide you and your business with the support services you need.

When she was 17, Lilly left Colombia and moved to the US. She started in an entry-level office position at a construction company and rose through the ranks until she opened her own business. All of her hard work led to her successfully landing a spot on Negocios Now’s “Who’s Who in Hispanic Chicago”, and a $10,000 Bank of America Supplier Diversity Small & Diverse Business Scholarship.

The Owner to CEO Accelerator is a 12-week program, where participants work to scale their businesses under the guidance of industry experts. The course modules of this Accelerator are specifically designed for the construction industry, covering essential topics like insurance and bonding, the contract bid process, human resources, emerging technology, and marketing strategies.