Sacramento County MBARK Program

The Minority Business Assistance and Recovery Kickstart (MBARK) Program provides no-cost assistance to minority, small, and disadvantaged businesses who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Whether a business is looking for funding, business planning, or technical support, MBARK’s team of trusted Business Community Liaisons (BCLs), business advisors, and business technical assistance experts have the resources to help businesses succeed.

This program is intended for businesses impacted by COVID-19

Final Chapter Announcement

Thank you for being a part of the Sacramento Asian Chamber of Commerce and County of Sacramento’s Minority Business Assistance and Recovery Kickstart (MBARK) Program! We are incredibly proud of the impact this program has made, empowering small businesses and driving community growth. As we approach the conclusion of both 2024 and the Program, we want to ensure you have everything you need for a seamless transition.

Ongoing Support for Small Businesses

While the MBARK Program is concluding, there are still resources available to help you succeed:

  • County of Sacramento Services:
    • Sacramento County’s Office of Economic Development will continue to provide comprehensive support to small businesses, including assistance with development, expansion strategies and navigating regulatory processes. For assistance, please contact:
      • Lili Hernandez | Economic Development Specialist
        Sacramento County, Office of Economic Development
        Office: (916) 874-4558
        hernandezl@saccounty.gov
  • Sacramento Asian Chamber of Commerce Support:
    • For additional business resources and support, please reach out to the Sacramento Asian Chamber of Commerce, which will continue to provide services for small businesses in the community: info@sacasiancc.org

Serving the Following Sacramento County Unincorporated Areas

If your business operates in one of these areas, MBARK can provide direct assistance to help you succeed.

  • Arden-Arcade
  • Antelope
  • Carmichael
  • Delta: Courtland, Franklin, Hood, Locke, Walnut Groove
  • Elverta
  • Fair Oaks
  • Florin/Lemon Hill/Vineyard
  • Foothill Farms
  • North Highlands
  • Orangevale
  • Rio Linda
  • Unincorporated Elk Grove/Rancho Murietta/Herald
  • Unincorporated Rancho Cordova/Mather/Rosemont

Services We Provide

The MBARK Program offers no-cost, personalized business assistance to businesses in the following areas:

  • Access to Capital: Assistance with finding and applying for grants, loans, microloans, and other programs.
  • Grant & Loan Applications: Hands-on assistance with completing online applications and uploading necessary documents.
  • Financial Guidance: Help with understanding loan payments, improving credit scores, and accessing credit reports.
  • Business Structure & Legal Formation: Guidance on choosing the right business structure (Sole Proprietorship, LLC, Corporation).
  • Lease Negotiation: Support in understanding lease terms, negotiating with landlords, and resolving landlord-tenant issues.
  • Hiring & Human Resources: Help with employee hiring processes, including contracts, tax forms (W-4, I-9), and reporting to the Employment Development Department (EDD).
  • Marketing & Branding: Advice on creating logos, establishing an online presence, utilizing social media, and running promotional events.
  • Business Planning: Support in creating a business plan to guide growth.
  • One-on-One Business Advising: Tailored support to meet specific business needs and connect with subject matter experts.

If you have a particular need, we’re here to help you find the right solution!

Meet the MBARK Business Advisors

Mai Nguyen

Business Consultant

Glenn Fujii

Fujii Consulting Services

Slavic American Chamber of Commerce

Connect With Us

To access MBARK’s customized business services, please contact the Business Community Liaison in your area.

Arden Arcade
Erika Vazquez
servicearea1@mbark-ca.org

Carmichael
Ajay Namala
mbark@sacasiancc.org

Fair Oaks
servicearea3@mbark-ca.org

Orangevale
servicearea4@mbark-ca.org

North Highlands/Foothill Farms
Anatoliy (Toliy) Sonnik
servicearea5@mbark-ca.org

Antelope/Elverta/Rio Linda
Margaret De Barraicua
servicearea6@mbark-ca.org

Lemon Hill/Florin/Vineyard
Brandon Macklin
servicearea7@mbark-ca.org

Delta -Hood/Franklin/Courtland/ Locke/Walnut Grove
Kathryn Espinoza
servicearea8@mbark-ca.org

Unincorporated Elk Grove/ Rancho Murietta/Herald
Idara Phillips
servicearea9@mbark-ca.org

Unincorporated Rancho Cordova/ Mather/Rosemont
Brandon Macklin
servicearea10@mbark-ca.org

Made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funding awarded to the County of Sacramento by the U.S. Department of Treasury.