LISTEN: Isabel Guzman, who leads the Small Business Administration, visited Clark Atlanta University Monday to promote small business resources to students. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.

Isabel Guzman

Small Business Administrator Isabel Guzman (center) spoke to Clark Atlanta University students Monday.

Credit: Sarah Kallis / GPB News

Isabel Guzman, who leads the U.S. Small Business Administration, visited Clark Atlanta University Monday to promote small business resources to students.

Small businesses create two-thirds of new jobs in the U.S. and employ 20% of the workforce, according to Guzman. 

She told students that Atlanta boasts high rates of entrepreneurship among Black and brown people and that small business ownership can help bridge the racial wealth gap.

Guzman said cities like Atlanta represent hope and opportunity.

“Our nation needs to prove that we can overcome barriers for those very entrepreneurs because they're starting businesses at high rates,” Guzman said. 

Guzman said entrepreneurs in Georgia have filed 827,000 new business applications since she became the SBA  administrator in 2021 but growing costs of capital and high interest rates continue to pose challenges for small business owners.

Tags: Georgia  Small Business Administration  Clark Atlanta University  Georgia Politics  business