• Financial Assessments
• Business Assessments
• Financial Systems Implementation
• Strategic Planning
• Operations Planning
• Marketing Plans
• Software Installation and Training
• Acquisitions Assistance
• Business Seminars
• Classroom Training
• Turnaround Strategies Implementation
• Cash Flow Management Tools

Please see website for more detailed explanation of services being offered.

• Marketing and Public Relations: promote member businesses through trade shows, church expos, radio talk shows, and other special events. Collect and distribute requests for products and services to members. Maintain Public Relations Committee and Speaker's Bureau; provide information about local developments in member businesses to mass media and industry/trade journals.
• Information Services: conduct studies to develop new methods and techniques; perform studies to improve products and services; interface with other databases for up-to-date information on small businesses; coordinate requests for bids and other procurement opportunities; provide directories of suppliers and buyers; publish legislative, technical and other bulletins as needed; publish membership directory and newsletter.
• Technical Assistance Program: free consultation services for businesses; access to professional support organizations regarding business management; seminars and workshops presenting current and relevant business opportunities.
• Education: sponsor short courses, clinics, seminars, workshops; provide AV training and training materials, tests and manuals for employee training; provide scholarships.

• Provides technical, financial and management information assistance to small, minority and women owned businesses. BERO’s main office is located in Nashville with regional offices in Memphis and Knoxville.
• Focuses on four main areas of development to achieve its mission:
  • providing technical assistance (business planning, licensing, certification, financial assistance, expansion assistance and other special needs).
  • assisting with procurement opportunities
  • driving manufacturing initiatives and
  • creating export opportunities.
• Works in close partnership with the Governor's Office of Diversity Business Enterprise (
• Has a designated director of small manufacturing initiatives whose goal is to identify and create partnering opportunities between small and large manufacturers by facilitating business to business matching; advocating and connecting small manufacturers with companies and government agencies; creating a manufacturers’ resource directory which includes financial information; and coordinating with federal and local government agencies, trade associations and community organizations.
• BERO, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the International Trade Centers, Tennessee Small Business Development Centers and other local agencies, assists small businesses throughout the state to export their goods and services through the Trade Roots program.

History: In 2002, BERO had 1 staff person responsible for the entire state; Today, BERO has 6 full-time and 1 part-time staff in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville.

Mission: Expand economic opportunities for disadvantaged businesses by providing information on procurement opportunities, loan programs, and development opportunities with Tennessee private industry and government entities.

• Coordinate with other economic development agencies such as Urban League, Memphis Economic Development Center, as well as federal, state, and local government. Try to send person to appropriate resource for their needs.
• Loans: Shareholder in West Tennessee Venture Capital, TVA multimillion dollar loan fund. For specifics on loans, see Regional Manager.
• Financial Assistance Program for business and community development.

• Counseling: Help companies new to exporting develop an international market strategy and serve as a troubleshooter for more experienced companies.
• Agent/Distributor Identification: Locate commission agents, stocking distributors, joint venture or licensing partners for companies.
• Advertising, catalog shows, trade fairs overseas to promote a company's products or
• Mailing Lists of overseas organizations that have imported certain products or services before.
• Commercial Reliability Service: investigate the credibility or commercial reliability of a foreign firm.
• Database of U.S. Suppliers: this database matches one of foreign companies abroad. U.S. companies seeking overseas buyers and agents or foreign firms looking for a U.S. supplier now have access to this source.

• makes under $10.00 an hour OR makes less than $400 a week
• works at least 20 hours a week
• is currently uninsured
• has completed three consecutive months of employment

• Primary Care Benefits
  - Preventive Health Services - Routine exam, and vision screening
  - Sick Care - Office visits to your primary care physician, also $5 per visit
  - Subspecialty Services - Referral by primary care physician, also $10 per visit
  - Pharmaceutical Discounts - Discounts available at Ike's and Super D
• Limited Hospital Services
  - Emergency and surgical care up to a lifetime maximum of $50,000
  
  Due to space limitations, this is not a full description of Covered and Non-Covered Services.  for complete information, please call the numbers listed above to request information or speak with a representative.

P.O. Box 224
Memphis TN 38101

• M/WBE Certification
• Business Training
• Directory listing of certified companies
• Business growth and development

• Newsletter: Success Link

• Provides technical assistance to new and expanding businesses in Memphis and Shelby County.

• Small Business Assistance in areas such as product design and development; business management counseling; feasibility studies; loan packaging for loans and loan guarantees by EDA, SBA, FmHA, and SBIC; entrepreneurial counseling; identification of firms with export trade potential; foreign market development assistance.
• Technical Assistance for community and economic development: industrial development strategies; identification and selection of industrial development sites; development of social, economic, and business data banks. Feasibility studies.
• Library of Planning Materials open to the public by appointment.

• Entrepreneurial Counseling
• Business Resource Referrals
• Business Plan Development
• Economic Information
• Marketing & Training

• Management and technical assistance
• Business analysis for operations and control
• Application preparation for procurement process
• Sources for debt and equity financing
• Database and profiles of companies in the Memphis area
• Market expansion through export development, technology and incentive assistance

• How to Start a Business
• Developing a Business Plan
• Small Business Accounting
• Tax Preparation

• Small Business Administration
• Southeast Community Capital
• Tennessee Small Business Development Center
• Memphis Area Minority Contractor's Association
• Black Business Association

• One-on-One Counseling
• All-Day Seminar on start-ups and new businesses conducted by professionals such as bankers, CPAs, attorneys, insurance agents, and real estate brokers.

• Diagnostic Evaluations
• Counseling and Guidance
• Treatment
• Training
• Maintenance and Transportation
• Transition Services From School To Work
• Personal Care Assistance Program
• Independent Living Services
• Assistive Technology
• Supported Employment
• Job Placement
• Post-Employment Services

• Taxpayer Education: The department provides seminars for new business owners or individuals thinking about starting a business. Those interested can call to get a schedule of our upcoming seminar.
• Taxpayer Registration: Taxpayers can come to our office before 2:30 p.m., complete a sales tax application, and receive their tax number the same day. Applications can also be faxed or mailed to this office for processing.
• Taxpayer Assistance: Taxpayers can call or come by the office to receive various tax forms, ask questions, and receive assistance with completing the return. This office has forms available for most Tennessee taxes and can mail most forms directly to Nashville.

• Provide business counseling and advice by appointment for problem-solving in organizational, financial, marketing, technical and other areas of business. Some of the areas of assistance include business start-ups; business plans; accounting and records; personnel; inventory control; selling to governments; sales, marketing, and marketing research; financial analysis/control; and loan packaging.
• Offer continuing education, workshops, seminars, and management training on subjects related to small business. Specific needs of small businesses as well as new developments in business environments are focus areas.
• Assist small businesses in solving technical problems and technological transfer to foster growth, innovation, and increased productivity.

• Financial Assistance through Loan Guarantees
• Management and Technical Assistance through counseling and training
• Access to federal contracts through procurement programs
• Surity Bond Guarantees
• ...and much more