Digital media and branding firm Media for Professionals, based in New York City, is owned and run by Ron Idra. He started the business in 2010 when he was still an attorney and consulting in intellectual property law. Back then, Ron had also written a book on law for the layperson, and helped produce a few Off-Off Broadway plays and realized he felt more passionate about the creative and communicative side of business. He first discovered the Pace Small Business Development Center through his acquaintance with a Pace business advisor. Upon learning more about the center during the COVID-19 pandemic, he knew that its wealth of resources would prove a helpful, stabilizing force.

Initially, Pace SBDC business advisors, Susan Gluck and Rawle Brown, helped Ron reassess his target market, starting with a business model canvas exercise. The insights strengthened Ron’s resolve to officially pivot his business model and serve as more of a brand consultancy to a new target market consisting of hedge funds, venture capital, and other financial firms. He could see with every new potential prospect and lead that they were more interested in utilizing his talent for brand storytelling. Susan and Rawle were instrumental in helping Ron successfully make this critical shift. 

 

As the pandemic wore on, Susan investigated funding options and helped the client apply for the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program through New York State's Empire State Development (ESD) with further support from Yadhira Talavera from Lendistry, ESD's grant program administrator. Susan also helped the client learn more about applying for a low-interest loan through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program through the US Small Business Administration (SBA). Receiving funds from each of these programs has helped the business pay vendors and developers, and upgrade technology. The funds also helped the business survive the challenge of the pandemic period.

 

We urge small business owners to seek our guidance when looking to obtain new loans and grants through federal, state, city, and private fund resources. If you have questions about business planning, financing or marketing, make an appointment today for a no-cost advisory session by emailing sbdc@pace.edu or visiting our contact page.