After disaster strikes, restarting a small business requires more than grit. Financial coaching and access to resources are the backbone of resilient, equitable economic recovery.
Nzinga “Zing” Shaw
Senior Vice President, Communications, Operation HOPE
Disasters don’t just disrupt business operations — they disrupt dreams, legacies, and livelihoods. For small business owners, particularly in underserved communities, the aftermath of a natural disaster can feel like an impossible mountain to climb. Supply chains are severed. Insurance may fall short. Customers vanish. And for many, there is no “rainy day” fund to cushion the blow.
At Operation HOPE, we know that rebuilding a business after disaster takes more than assistance — it takes empowerment. That’s why we deploy certified HOPE Financial Wellbeing Coaches who serve as personal advocates, helping entrepreneurs not only recover, but rebuild stronger.
One of the first barriers many small business owners face is lack of access to clear, trustworthy information. In the days and weeks after a disaster, overwhelmed business owners may struggle to identify credible sources of aid or understand how to access community-based recovery programs, SBA loans, or local grants. We simplify the process by meeting people where they are — with coaching that is culturally competent, bilingual, and tailored to the unique realities of Main Street businesses.
Through our HOPE Inside Disaster model, we provide free coaching on:
- How to assess and document loss for insurance or FEMA applications
- Navigating SBA disaster assistance loans and community grants
- Building or revisiting business continuity and recovery plans
- Establishing emergency cash flow management strategies
- Tapping into local resources like business improvement districts, chambers of commerce, and CDFIs
But most importantly, we help owners reclaim their confidence. After a trauma, mindset matters. Our coaches reinforce resilience by showing entrepreneurs how to pivot, protect, and reimagine their business models — whether that means moving online, diversifying revenue streams, or renegotiating vendor terms.
We’ve seen this firsthand in communities like Lake Charles, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; and across wildfire-prone areas in California. A barbershop that lost power for 12 days was able to pivot to mobile cuts. A food truck owner found ways to contract with local emergency responders. A daycare center used our guidance to apply for a community development loan that helped rebuild its playground and reopen safely.
This is what recovery can look like — not just surviving the storm, but building back better. Resilient businesses are essential to resilient communities. They provide jobs, services, and a sense of normalcy in the wake of uncertainty. As climate-related disasters become more frequent and intense, our national response must evolve to prioritize economic recovery as a pillar of emergency management.
That begins with ensuring small businesses — the lifeblood of our economy — are not left to navigate chaos alone. Financial coaching is a critical part of the solution, and when paired with access to resources and systems that work for everyone, it becomes a catalyst for generational stability.
Let’s not just rebuild what was lost. Let’s prepare for what’s next.
