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Small businesses often lack the resources and networks of larger corporations but are just as ambitious and innovative. We are enabling local businesses in Arizona like yours to grow and expand.  Whether you are a service provider with the ambition to grow your customer base or a service seeker with a growth project, the AERO program and your local Arizona Small Business Development Center (AZSBDC) can help you make progress and expand your network.  In today’s webinar; “Grow Your Business with AERO and the Arizona SBDC” Yolanda A. Facio, AERO Platform Supervisor and CJ Johnson, Funding Outreach Specialist, will tell you about the No-Cost tools and resources to do just that!

About Yolanda Facio:

Yolanda A. Facio is an experienced entrepreneur who has started, built, and operated small businesses in Phoenix for 25 years. Yolanda served as CEO of Custom Architectural Woodwork, Inc., a family-owned custom commercial architectural millwork company. She also spent 11 years as Founder/Owner-Operator of a Porsche-only service boutique in central Phoenix.

After selling her stake in the automotive business, she successfully built a web design and development business. During that time, she participated in several programs at Arizona State University including as a Mentor in the Venture Devils program, as a facilitator at Estrella Mountain Community College for the 5-week Poder entrepreneurship program, with the Cisco Innovation Challenge, and with the Kauffman Inclusion challenge where she designed and executed workshops for women and minority business owners as well as supporting High School entrepreneurship programs throughout the valley.

Yolanda currently teaches small business courses at Glendale Community College. She is a Phoenix native and holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Business and Communication from Arizona State University.

About CJ Johnson:

CJ Johnson is a Funding Outreach Specialist with the Arizona Small Business Development Center Network. CJ is part of a specialized statewide team focused on preparing small business owners to be bankable.

CJ brings more than 20 years of banking experience with a focus on commercial lending. She has provided thousands of clients with both traditional loans and lines of credit as well as SBA loan products such as 7(a)’s and 504’s.

CJ moved to Arizona to successfully launch the Small Business Lending Department for a large bank. She later replicated that process for a local credit union.

As a seasoned lender, CJ brings a new perspective to the SBDC in that she understands what lenders require and how to get clients in the best position for loan approvals. Her collaborative outreach to entrepreneurs and lenders alike has resulted in clients receiving millions of dollars in capital for successful business launches and expansions.

All virtual events are presented by HUUB, a one-stop online resource and support platform for entrepreneurs.

This event is going to be held virtually. Attendees will receive a link to the live stream and worksheets once they have signed up.

Ticket donations go to support small businesses in our local communities.

We believe in entrepreneurs who are courageous enough to chase a dream, against all odds.

Build an environment for them, and it will elevate us all.