Comerica Bank understands that small businesses and nonprofits need a special combination of business acuity and support to get their companies off the ground — not to mention a significant measure of grit and determination. With this in mind, the bank created Comerica BusinessHQ, a resource center in southeastern Dallas where access to capital, business mentorship and networking opportunities are offered to high need, high opportunity small business owners at no cost.
Terry Kittleson, president and CEO of In the City for Good, a non-profit that serves low-income communities in Dallas, describes BusinessHQ as “an extremely strategic location” for both his day-to-day operations and networking. “Comerica has introduced us to some of their key business leaders who have provided strategic insight on broadening the impact we can make on the community,” Kittleson says.
Through the nonprofit’s membership at BusinessHQ, its leaders have also attended workshops and hosted community partners to showcase the resources provided within the space. Aside from essential systems and tools like high-speed Wi-Fi and printers, the location has shared and private workspaces, video conference rooms and even a content creation room equipped with a green screen and teleprompter.
The bank takes a three-pronged approach to supporting small businesses at BusinessHQ:
- Capital - Comerica Bank connects members with a curated network of small business capital providers, including one-on-one access to lenders and bankers who understand the unique needs of the community.
- Cultivation - No-cost workshops and more opportunities are available to help members manage, grow and strengthen their businesses, with topics ranging from branding to growth planning to legal considerations.
- Connectivity - BusinessHQ offers unique connectivity within the community. In addition to no-cost offices, meeting rooms and event space, members are able to network with other engaged business owners.
The three pillars of capital, cultivation and connectivity are closely related to BusinessHQ’s recognition of 12 key small business needs: business planning, mentorship, certifications, data management, marketing, legal and HR tools, business insurance, technology, cyber security protection, pitch deck and sponsorship, technical assistance program, financial management and funding. Comerica designed BusinessHQ offerings to meet these needs and help small businesses scale and prosper. It’s a program unlike any other with real, tangible value — entrepreneurs save on operating costs and can reinvest those saved dollars into their companies.
“Access to no-cost coworking and education [is] invaluable for small businesses looking to grow and allows these businesses to take these often costly expenses and pour that back into their business,” says Dezaree Greene, a small business banker for Comerica. “Building relationships with internal capital partners, other small businesses and financial experts is essential when starting or growing a business.”
To access the space and its resources, small business owners must become members of BusinessHQ, though members are not required to be customers of Comerica Bank. Memberships begin with a six-month membership designed to help small businesses grow. Many members continue to engage with BusinessHQ even after they complete their initial membership and some go on to become Comerica small business customers.
Comerica’s dedication to small business customers is multifaceted. In addition to BusinessHQ, which is designed to support the broader business community, it also offers more niche programs — such as Comerica ShredSite, Comerica SmallBizCo-op and Comerica CoWorkSpaces — to its small business customers.
Visit comerica.com/businesshq to learn more and join the BusinessHQ community.
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