Small Business

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during the daily press briefing on May 7, 2021, in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is under fire from Democrats and Republicans alike for skipping an appearance before the House Small Business Committee

When Yin Ou’s family moved to the United States from Myanmar in 2009, her mother had to work minimum-wage jobs like jewelry packaging and babysitting to provide for the family. “My parents didn’t have the knowledge to start a business, or get an IRA or invest,” says Yin, who lives in New York’s Queens borough.

Cora and Stefan Miller started a hair care company after they had their son, Kade, and struggled to find hair products for him. Young King Hair Care is now sold by Walmart and Target. When Cora Miller had her son, she discovered the baby had a full head of hair — and found few products

Birdies shoes sold out in late 2020, leaving the company unable to meet the year-end demand. Source: Bianca Gates As women across the country ditched their heels during the pandemic, shoe company Birdies thrived. The direct-to-consumer brand touts itself as a “stylish flat that’s secretly a slipper.” The result: 300% year-over-year growth in April 2021.

Carmelo Ramos gave back his $11,458 PPP loan because he qualified for more money. He ended up with nothing when the program ran out of funding as he was reapplying. Carmelo Ramos When Carmelo Ramos, 36, got his second-draw loan from the Paycheck Protection Program in February, he was grateful. The $11,458 loan was more