I was in Oakland, California, when the Loma Prieta earthquake hit in October 1989 and brought a section of the Bay Bridge crashing down. Leaders then had a choice: to restore the bridge to how it was, or to re-evaluate and strengthen its support system to withstand future shocks. They chose the latter.
As we emerge from the pandemic, our nation has the same choice to make — for our economy and our businesses, specifically small businesses and startups.
The pandemic has exposed the flaws and the fissures in our economy. One in three small businesses has closed. Nearly two million women have been forced out of the workforce.
And millions of families have struggled to buy groceries and cover rent.
In this moment, more than repair, we must reimagine. And after providing $60 billion in relief to small businesses, we must work to broaden access to capital and remove other barriers to success for entrepreneurs across the country.
This story is from the August - September 2021 edition of Forbes Africa.
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This story is from the August - September 2021 edition of Forbes Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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