One of the most important tools we have at the Small Business Administration (SBA) to reach high growth entrepreneurs is the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program. Karen Mills More Quotes by Karen Mills More Quotes From Karen Mills Small businesses, you can give them capital, but what they often need as much is mentoring, advice and help with their business plan. Karen Mills advice giving needs It's not government that creates jobs; it's small business. Our job is to make sure they have the access to capital, the access to contracting opportunities, and the help, advice and mentoring that they need to go out and be successful. Karen Mills successful opportunity jobs Small businesses are really the engine in the economy. Karen Mills small-business engines economy I think we've learned that the S.B.A. plays a critical role in providing access and opportunity when the market is not providing that access. We help banks get that money out into the hands of important and viable businesses, particularly those owned by minorities, women, immigrants and veterans. Karen Mills opportunity hands thinking I recently had the opportunity to participate in 'Inc.''s first-ever 'Hire Power Awards' event in Washington, D.C. The event was a testament to the power of American entrepreneurship and the role that it plays in driving job creation and innovation in a wide array of industries. Karen Mills awards opportunity jobs After four years as Administrator of the SBA, I have let President Obama know that I will not be staying for a second term. I will stay on until my successor is confirmed to ensure a smooth and seamless transition. Karen Mills transition president years We don't want to give a business that is not going to come through the troubled waters a loan that they can't pay back. Karen Mills want giving water The morale when I came in was not the best. It was because the agency had not been valued. Karen Mills morale agency Small businesses want things streamlined, and one of the great successes we're having is less paperwork, faster turnaround times. Karen Mills great-success small-business want Small businesses have told us that having cash in their pocket is one of the primary things that they need. Karen Mills cash pockets needs One of the most important things we hear is the S.B.A. needs to be ubiquitous. We do all these things, but people still don't know. Karen Mills important people needs I saw the S.B.A. with just enormous potential, and that's what I told the president - this is really a jewel. Karen Mills saws president jewels Health care is the No. 1 concern of small businesses and the status quo is untenable. Karen Mills small-business status-quo care I grew up in a family business... that really has provided the core of my belief in American small business, and in America's ability to grow and operate important businesses that can compete and be successful. Karen Mills important successful america President Obama vowed in his State of the Union address to make assisting domestic manufacturers a top priority for his second term. Karen Mills unions priorities president In October 2008, when the credit crunch hit, small businesses were really crushed by the lack of capital. Karen Mills small-business october credit We are very much engaged across the government, very much engaged in streamlining and simplifying our activities with borrowers and lenders, because that saves time and saves costs and we believe we can do that while maintaining the same or increased levels of oversight and risk management. Karen Mills government management time believe As I've traveled around the country, it has surprised me how many times I've heard people in small businesses use that word 'saved.' I believe many small businesses would not have had access to credit and would not have survived without the $50 billion that we were able to put into the market. Karen Mills me believe country people We really accomplished what we set out to do with the Recovery Act programs, which was to fill the lending gap created by the crisis. Karen Mills act out recovery crisis We spend a great deal of our energy making sure that small businesses have help in navigating to the outcomes that they want. Karen Mills small great energy want
