When Donald Trump was elected, I sat in a lot of meetings discussing “amended marketing messaging” and I listened to my boss emphasize that the work we did would remain the same even if publicly the organization was changing.

Here’s the thing: representation matters. If people do not see themselves represented as entrepreneurs, they will not become entrepreneurs. That was exactly the President’s goal.

Good resources, like Chambers of Commerces and grant programs, were being scrubbed from my arsenal. The entrepreneurs suffering most were those already facing the greatest challenges.

I resigned in February of 2025 after over four years of dedicated service with the NY Small Business Development Center. You can read my resignation letter (kind of) on my blog.