“I’ve always been on the trajectory to become a great educator. “ North Little Rock native JValencia began her career with a basketball scholarship to play for the Great Debaters at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas.
While sharpening her craft through continuing education and gaining experience in the classroom, JValencia accumulated several notable awards. In time, she found her passion for those struggling the most, and dedicated her career to serving parents, students, and teachers in her hometown. Assistance from the Arkansas Business Navigator Project led to the founding of JValencia Acts, an educational consulting firm. JValencia Acts provides math, language arts, and math tutoring elementary-age tutoring services, teacher consultation that includes lesson planning and creation of learning materials, and writing assistance for authors.
“When you have a heart for teaching, I can be more effective as a non-evaluative administrator,” says JValencia about working independently with educators, students and parents. Creating a trustworthy and safe space for everyone was vital for JValencia, and found success during the Pandemic teaching remote classes.
“The process was very simplistic and working with the organization has been beneficial in creating an adequate and efficient business plan.”
The time spent outside of classrooms during the pandemic created a nationwide decrease of test scores, solidifying a strong need for JValencia Acts, and so far her impact in North Little Rock is remarkable. Classroom management requires new procedures and ideas that reflect the evolution of how our students are learning, and JValencia Acts is providing a unique service for anyone wanting to get the most out of their child’s education.
The Arkansas Business Navigator Project helps small businesses address and overcome some of the systemic challenges that face entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities. ASBTDC expects to provide training and technical assistance to more than 5,000 new and existing small businesses owners during the two-year project. This support includes access to capital, business development, contracting and procurement, marketing, operations, and exporting.
They work with expert business consultants as they advise and develop entrepreneurs from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities including women, minority, Spanish-speaking, rural, veteran, LGBTQ+, and disabled entrepreneurs. The eFellows assess the needs of small business owners and match them with resources in the Arkansas Business Navigator network as well as assist with training programs and outreach efforts.
The project is funded by a $2.5 million grant ASBTDC received through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Community Navigator Pilot Program. Part of the American Rescue Plan initiative, the program is designed to reduce barriers that all small businesses, including those from underrepresented and underserved groups, often face in accessing critical support.
ASBTDC is one of 51 organizations that will receive a combined total of $100 million in funding through the Community Navigator Pilot Program. The organizations will work with hundreds of local groups to connect America’s entrepreneurs to government resources so they can recover and thrive.
Are you interested in starting your own business? This program just might be for you.
Visit arbusinessnavigator.com to learn more!
