Awards for UMLF Clients –Many UMLF clients do not have access to and/or cannot afford to purchase the technology that would help their businesses run more efficiently. Through the eBay Foundation Techquity Program, the UMLF will be offering awards of $500 to $1,600 to eligible clients to purchase technology and participate in related training. Awards can be used for computers, printers, scanners, fax machines, software and more. While some UMLF clients may be purchasing their first computer and learning the basics, others will be upgrading their systems and learning how to use more advanced software programs. We want to encourage UMLF clients to embrace technology from using word processing and spreadsheets to fully utilizing the Internet and doing business on-line.

Technology Training - Microentrepreneurs are anxious to learn additional skills to help them succeed in their businesses. In today’s economy, the use of technology is an essential business skill. And while traditional Community Technology trainers can offer excellent technology education courses, they do not offer this training in a business context.

Providing the training from a business perspective motivates microentrepreneurs who perceive the connection between adoption of new skills and financial gain.

Through local partnerships, the UMLF will offer technology courses taught specifically for the business client, offering them tools to complement their growing business endeavors. This will range from the most basic training to more advanced computer software programs.

The UMLF would like to express its gratitude to the eBay Foundation for support of this new project and looks forward to a very successful first year.

Bonnie Dallimore

Plant Jungle

Salt Lake City, Utah

Bonnie Dallimore was attracted to the independence of business ownership and wanted to control her own financial destiny. After leaving her job in Texas to return to Salt Lake City, Bonnie waited tables and created unique plant containers on the side. Six years later in 1996, she took $300 and started Plant Jungle, selling live and silk indoor plants. After two years as a business owner, Bonnie was looking for funding to grow her business and turned to the Utah Microenterprise Loan Fund (UMLF) for assistance.

Over the past eight years, UMLF has provided Bonnie with three loans, which she has used to purchase inventory and equipment for Plant Jungle. She says, “UMLF provided us (Plant Jungle) with much needed cash infusion, giving us the capability to grow our business. They also provided training.” In April 2006, UMLF granted Bonnie an eBay Foundation Techquity award.

The $1,600 Techquity award was combined with $530 of Plant Jungle revenue to provide a complete technology overhaul for the business. With the funds, Bonnie purchased a new laptop, wireless Internet card and three new software packages. She says, “The laptop and software have significantly upgraded our ability to perform basic business management functions. Previously, we had to prepare cash flow statements manually. Now we can work with electronic versions, allowing us to assess our financial situation much more easily and accurately.” Prior to the technology overhaul, Bonnie faxed all documents to her customers. Access to email makes communication easier and increases the professional image of Plant Jungle.

Since receiving the award, Bonnie has seen a 10% increase in profits and customers. She explains, “Sales practices have improved significantly because we can give our clients visual representations through PowerPoint, allowing them to make more knowledgeable purchasing decisions and allowing us to shorten the sales cycle.”

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