Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson led Willette LeGrant, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Illinois district director, on a walking tour of small businesses in downtown Flossmoor on Wednesday, May 7.
Afterwards, LeGrant and Nelson hosted a roundtable discussion at D’s Cookie Dough Company in Flossmoor, informing small business owners about resources provided by the SBA.
LeGrant’s visit to Flossmoor was part of National Small Business Week, a celebration that the SBA has recognized for more than 60 years, according to its website. Among other services, the SBA offers free one-on-one counseling to help small businesses win federal contracts and has a Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program.
“Small businesses, they’re doing the work that fuels this economy,” LeGrant said. “Their ingenuity, their creativity, their perseverance – that’s what makes this country strong.”
On the walking tour, Nelson introduced LeGrant to store owners and staff at Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery, Yesterday’s Gentlemen Barbershoppe, Conservatory Vintage & Vinyl, Thairapy Beauty & Wellness, Dunning’s Gourmet Market & Deli, The Balloon Bar, Pinki’s Beauty Salon, Gypsy Fix and D’s Cookies.
Nelson showed LeGrant the banquet hall and the outside patio at Flossmoor Station, telling her that community events are often hosted in these spots.
“This is huge. I didn’t realize it extended that far,” LeGrant said.
When LeGrant arrived at the Balloon Bar, a balloon and party supplies store that recently opened in Shops on Sterling, she was greeted with a confetti-filled balloon with “U.S. Small Business Administration, Welcome to Flossmoor” written on it.
“That is crazy,” LeGrant happily exclaimed after seeing the welcome message on the custom balloon.
When LeGrant discovered that Gypsy Fix, the Balloon Bar, Pinki’s Beauty Salon and other Shops on Sterling small businesses share the cost of rent and utilities in the building, she expressed admiration.
“This concept of these small businesses coming together and leveraging their financial assets to work together in this community to have a space – that speaks of the ingenuity of small businesses,” LeGrant said.
Dunning’s Market assistant manager Paris Peebles, far left, speaking to Illinois District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Willette LeGrant, second from right, and Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelsoon, far right, during the SBA's stop at Dunning's Market on the walking tour. (Nick Ulanowski/H-F Chronicle)
The small business owners who participated in the roundtable discussion at D’s Cookies were future Flossmoor Smokehouse owner Ayom Siengo, Balloon Bar owner Javanah Barnes, Thairapy owner Rita Natasha, Oasis Hospice co-owner Hakeem Bello, Baird & Warner real estate agent Deborah Okleshen, future Beyond Borders Café owners Chris and Jennifer Zarozny and Yesterday’s Gentlemen Barbershoppe owner Michael Miller.
LeGrant said that when she was a small business owner, she didn’t know that the SBA existed. She encouraged small business owners to look into the SBA’s Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) program, which provides free consultations and mentorship to small business owners. She said the SBA no longer offers grants to small businesses, but they still provide loans.
“When everyone else tells you ‘No,’ the probability of getting a loan from the SBA is much higher,” LeGrant said. “SBA loans have longer repayment terms, which sometimes is what you need.”
President Donald Trump’s tariffs could have a detrimental effect on small business owners. Tariffs have been increased, dramatically in some cases, on imported goods.
Morgan Sullins, owner of the boutique clothing and gift shop Gypsy Fix, said the tariffs could affect her business. She said that while she mostly buys products from people she knows, not international sellers, larger supply chain issues could still have negative repercussions. Sullins said that if sales at Gypsy Fix don’t improve, she might have to close the store later this year.
Sullins said if she was forced to close Gypsy Fix, she would be heartbroken because her life has revolved around the store for five years.
“In the coming months, probably July or August, I’ll have to make a serious decision,” Sullins said. “Coming off the worst year I’ve ever had and having things the way they are right now, price-wise, with the potential of this tax-tariff stuff, it’s terrifying. […] People have to make cutbacks right now because things have gotten expensive. And I’m an easy cut.”
Nelson said this is “a good reminder for folks to shop local.”
