MAPPING THE NAVAJO ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY WORKSHOP REPORT BACK JUNE 3, 2017, TUBA CITY, AZ CHANGE LABS CATAPULT DESIGN Hester Street 113 Hester Street New York, NY 10002 Hesterstreet.org
MY VISION FOR CHANGE IS.....
“TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS AND EMPLOY AS MANY AS POSSIBLE ACROSS THE NAVAJO NATION.”
“FOR MY PEOPLE TO BECOME SELF-SUSTAINING ECONOMICALLY.”
“EXCITING COMMUNITY DESIGN THAT IS BEAUTIFUL, FUN, AND WILL PROVIDE FOR COMMUNITIES AND GENERATIONS!”
“TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR NAVAJO PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO ENVISION THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND START A BUSINESS.”
CONTENTS 01 02 03 06 12 16
Workshop Goals Main Takeaways & Next Steps Introductory Activities Activity 1: Barriers + Challenges Activity 2: Action + Opportunities Appendix
WORKSHOP GOALS Hester Street (HST), Catapult Design and Native American Business Incubator Network (NABIN) collaborated to lead a workshop targeted at identifying the barriers facing entrepreneurs on the Navajo Nation on Day 2 of Change Labs. During this three-hour deep dive, more than twenty participants contributed their knowledge and expertise for overcoming entrepreneurial challenges to inspire participants to generate solutions to common barriers facing the business community. The session was a chance to work together with peers on collective impact. HST designed activities and Catapult and NABIN facilitated discussions that helped identify, shape and prioritize initiatives for spurring economic growth on the Navajo Nation by enabling entrepreneurship and small and Nativeowned business development. The following is a report back of the day’s discussion. WORKSHOP AGENDA 10:00 Introduction 10:25 Activity 1: Barriers + Challenges 11:25 Break 11:35 Case Studies + Best Practices 11:50 Activity 2: Action + Opportunities 12:30 Report Back 12:50 Conclusion REPORT BACK
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MAIN TAKEAWAYS “MY VISION FOR CHANGE IS ECONOMIC SOVEREIGNTY.”
THE CHANGE LABS WORKSHOP REVEALED A DEEP DESIRE BY ENTREPRENEURS AND THE SUPPORT SYSTEM TO LEVERAGE AND GROW NAVAJO OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES AS A TOOL FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT ON AND OFF THE RESERVATION. Through the discussion the following themes emerged: •
Current policies and culture in the Navajo nation do not currently encourage small business entrepreneurs
•
Information sharing, technical assistance and small business services are needed for entrepreneurs to thrive
•
Strengthening existing networks and support infrastructure would make a huge impact on entrepreneurs on and off the reservation
In order to address these challenges, participants expressed the desire to: •
Involve community stakeholders in decision making processes and encourage participation at all levels
•
Increase access to information through regular dissemination and demystification of policies and regulations
•
Develop systems to navigate around bureaucracy and increase financial literacy
•
Reinforce partnerships and knowledge exchange between youth and elders to promote a culture of entrepreneurship
NEXT STEPS •
Share Workshop report back with participants to check for accuracy
•
Discuss potential strategies and resources to continue to support Navajo Nation entrepreneurs
•
NABIN, Catapult, and Hester Street continue work in 2018 through NEA Grant REPORT BACK
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INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITIES Each participant received a color coded package upon arrival. Packages were either colored blue for “entrepreneur” or yellow for “larger community.” Throughout the workshop these colors were used to distinguish Navajo entrepreneurs from technical service providers and the larger community. PARTICIPANTS Cyndi Frank Peter Holter Amber Diswood Timothy Clani Jr. Natalie Rohr Thea Chase Albin Renauer Al Henderson Georgie Pongyesva Edward Chato-salive Neomi M. Gilmore Jaime Gloshay Rexie Willaims Kristine Laughter Geraldine Laughter Allie Williams Rose Graham Crystal Cree Charmayne Yazzie-Washburn Duran Washburn Marisa Mike Doughs Miles Monica Wapcha Eddie Cal FACILITATORS Heather Fleming Jessica Stago Deon Ben Natasha Hale Heather Herold Noel Wilson
Participants were asked to self identify as either a Native entrepreneur or a member of the larger business community. Each participant marked where they lived, and where they would want to start a business. HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF?
65%
35%
ENTREPRENEURS
SUPPORT SYSTEM
WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
More than half of workshop participants identified as entrepreneurs, with the rest identifying as being part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. WHERE DO YOU WANT YOUR BUSINESS?
50% ON RESERVATION
75% ON RESERVATION
50% OFF RESERVATION There was an even split between participants who lived on and off the reservation
25% OFF RESERVATION There was a marked preference for starting a business on the reservation vs. off the reservation
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JOURNEY TIMELINE
Where are you on the journey timeline? Envision
Research
Establish
Build
Grow
24%
31%
15%
15%
15%
29%
43%
ENTREPRENEURS
14%
14%
SUPPORT SYSTEM
ACTIVITY SUMMARY As they entered the workshop, participants mapped where they see themselves on their entrepreneurship journey. ENTREPRENEURS •
More than half are in the initial stages of starting a business with a quarter of the attendees wanting to pursue an idea they are interested in and a third in the research phase
SUPPORT SYSTEM •
In contrast, three quarters of the support system are interested in building and growing Navajo businesses.
WHO WAS PRESENT Participants represented a diverse cross-section of industries and expertise. Entrepreneurs and support systems present included: Entrepreneurs • Graphic design • Photography • Massage/physical therapy • Jewelry design • Hair dresser • Textile design • Medical supplies • Livestock/cattle farming • Design and construction Support System • Local and Federal Foundations • Educators • Former entrepreneurs • Design incubator networks • Politicians/ council member • Finance and banking advisers • Community Advocates • Tribal government division directors
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GROUP DISCUSSION
ACTIVITY 1: BARRIERS + CHALLENGES ACTIVITY 2: ACTIONS + OPPORTUNITIES
ACTIVITY 1: BARRIERS + CHALLENGES The goal of this activity was to identify barriers and challenges related to entrepreneurship in the Navajo community and discuss root causes. Barriers and challenges were sorted into 6 topic areas. FINANCE CULTURE
INFRASTRUCTURE
ISSUES
OPERATIONS
SOVEREIGNTY POLICY
At each of the four tables, small groups discussed barriers and challenges and a brief discussion on root causes per issue. They then prioritized the issues to discuss in more depth in the second session. Key points from the discussion are summarized below. 1. CULTURE Change perceptions of business in Navajo Nation culture •
De-stigmatize entrepreneurship as a negative, non-traditional career path, or a greedy endeavor
•
Support mediating family disputes related to family owned business conflicts
•
Many entrepreneurs are food, art and cultural providers, which are often not acknowledged as businesses
Support Navajo Nation Entrepreneurship •
Show support to business owners by fostering a culture and a new narrative that empowers and builds confidence in current and aspiring business owners and provide informational resources to Navajo business owners on building a prosperous business
•
Promote & educate Navajo Nation community members on Navajo-owned business and importance of their economic support; educate on how economy works
•
Combine traditional approaches to infrastructural issues on the reservation with non-traditional approach of involving entrepreneurs and small businesses for creative problem-solving.
Create avenues for Non-Navajo community members to support Navajo Nation businesses •
Create user friendly information for non-Navajo community to feel welcomed in supporting Navajo Nation businesses
•
Support Navajo business promotion to other rural areas
ROOT CAUSE: NAVAJO CULTURAL IDENTITY CURRENTLY DOES NOT EMBRACE ENTREPRENEURSHIP BECAUSE OF PREJUDICES, BIASES, AND PERCEPTIONS CENTERED ON INDIVIDUAL ECONOMIC PROSPERITY THROUGH BUSINESS OWNERSHIP.
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ACTIVITY 1: BARRIERS + CHALLENGES 2. FINANCE Lack of business related financial literacy “MY VISION FOR CHANGE IS TO TO EMPOWER AND EDUCATE CONSUMERS ON THE RIGHTS TO BENEFIT AND OPPORTUNITIES IN DEALING WITH CONSUMER TRANSACTIONS.”
•
Provide training on fundamentals of business economics and development including book-keeping and finances
•
Provide information on tribal community land trust issues as they relate to business
•
Increase access and transparency for getting capital and loans
Decrease bureaucratic red tape on business paperwork •
Increase access and transparency on capital for small businesses
•
Lower the credit score threshold
Educate the general community on business •
Provide general information on tax benefits & financial planning
•
Educate the youth on economic investments and general business venture information
ROOT CAUSE: LACK OF FINANCIAL LITERACY
3. INFRASTRUCTURE Telecommunication Issues •
Access to reliable Wi-Fi for business owners and general community
•
Need to increase number of internet providers
•
Need for online network of centralized business related information
•
Research and information best practices to market and advertise online
Lack of and accessibility of space •
Lack of workspace for business start up
•
Lack of spaces to lease for opening up a business
•
Need for a centralized market space (shopping center)
•
Lack of pedestrian connections and systems at possible business locations
ROOT CAUSE: COMMUNITIES UNABLE TO SEE THE POTENTIAL OF INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE* TO SUPPORT LOCAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP BECAUSE IT IS NOT VALUED WITH MORE IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS TO ADDRESS. *such as improved stalls for vendors, flea market space, places to print or use a computer, office space for rent, etc.
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ACTIVITY 1: BARRIERS + CHALLENGES 4. OPERATIONS Office Materials support •
Access to office supplies for start-ups (fax, computer, printers)
•
Provide guidelines/templates of organization of paperwork
Capacity building resources
“MY VISION FOR CHANGE IS A HEALTHIER, SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR MY PEOPLE ON THE RESERVATIONS.”
•
Provide information on start-up business, 101’s and general ‘starting a business’ guidelines
•
Provide reliable and well trained officers to disseminate business related information to business owners
•
Create support networks for business owners to share information
•
Assist in work ethic trainings to employees
•
Provide information on how to grow or expand your business
ROOT CAUSES: SMALL BUSINESSES NEED MORE GOVERNMENT/ ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT AND PEER SUPPORT
5. POLICY Policy + Autonomy •
Eliminate policies that restrict home-based businesses and strengthen support for home based businessess
•
More autonomy from Navajo Nation Council and additional support from tribal leadership in obtaining business licenses
•
Policies that supports off-reservation Navajo Nation businesses
Policy + Information •
Sharing of updated regulations and policy on economics and business development
•
Need for a map on how to approach businesses-government based pipeline map
•
Leverage PhD and Masters students to research proven and effective economic models
Policy + Bureaucracy
Group Discussions
•
Enforcement of existing policies that are supportive to businesses
•
Less red tape and bureaucracy which deters many entrepreneurs
•
Government technical assistance in obtaining business license and land ownership
•
Information on navigating overlapping jurisdictions such as BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) and Navajo Nation
ROOT CAUSE: LACK OF ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET WITHIN GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO PREFER LARGE BUSINESS OPERATIONS IN THE HOPES OF CREATING JOBS.
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ACTIVITY 1: BARRIERS + CHALLENGES 6. SOVEREIGNITY Land ownership issues
“MY VISION FOR CHANGE IS TO HELP BUILD EVERYONE’S BUSINESS.”
•
Land ownership in land locked areas
•
Limited assets as a requirement for obtaining land impacts moderately successful entrepreneurs
•
Obtaining land is a long and strenuous process and should be made easier
•
Information on obtaining land is outdated. It needs to be updated and shared with business owning community routinely
ROOT CAUSES: LACK OF VALUE GIVEN TO LAND OWNERSHIP AND AUTONOMY
7. OTHER •
Support in overcoming fear of owning a business
•
Amplify the storytelling of successful Navajo Nation business owners
•
High level of poverty and unemployment in the Navajo Nation limits spending war
•
Severe infrastructure barriers related to lack of running water, telecommunication systems and paved roads for many in the Navajo Nation
ISSUES SELECTED FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION After the discussion, each small group participant weighed in issues they wanted to discuss in more depth and brainstorm actions and opportunities. The following issues received the most votes for further discussion: •
Policy (18 votes)
•
Infrastructure (9 votes)
•
Finance (7 votes)
Group report back
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ACTIVITY 2: ACTIONS + OPPORTUNITIES
“MY VISION FOR CHANGE TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE OFF THE GRID, MULTIGENERATIONAL COMMUNITIES REFLECTIVE OF THE PEOPLE, THE ENVIRONMENT & WITH THE INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN.”
The goal of this activity was to collectively identify partnerships, resources, services and skills that can help reduce or eliminate entrepreneurial barriers, within and outside the Navajo community. Prioritized issues from Activity 1 were discussed in more depth and connections were made between ideas and issues. Finally, participants were asked to create a ‘mad-lib’ that summarizes the group discussion to brainstorm a collective good that can be achieved by these proposed solutions. The partnerships, resources and services relate to POLICY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND FINANCE which were the top issues identified in Activity 1.
POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS Community Based •
Promote inter-tribal partnerships and NGO partnerships
•
Develop community based partnerships with media centers (TV & Radio)
•
Support partnership platforms with youth
Organization Based •
Develop mentor-mentee programs between current and future business owners
•
Foster partnership with NGO and academic organizations like NABIN (Native American Business Incubator Network) and Navajo Tech Innovation Center
•
Promote venture capital to help small businesses within Navajo Nation
•
Invest in Regional Business Development Office (RBDO) to develop capacity and train staff. Advocate for the RBDO to invest in partnerships with business owners on the ground and create liaisons for this purpose
•
Advocate for the Chamber of Commerce to additional outreach with business owners and create an economic advisory council with diverse and representative sample of issues
•
Reduce barriers to obtaining land and update information on obtaining land and share with business owning communities continuously
Government Based
Opportunities discussion
•
Cultivate diverse, community leaders that aid in the promotion of all Navajo businesses and champion legislative/political movements
•
Fund more research and implementation of successful business models and refer to international case studies
•
Generate policy that addresses the lack of business-related financial literacy in business owner population
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ACTIVITY 1: KEY TAKEAWAYS
CURRENT POLICIES AND CULTURE IN THE NAVAJO NATION DO NOT CURRENTLY ENCOURAGE SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURS
INFORMATION SHARING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES ARE NEEDED FOR ENTREPRENEURS TO THRIVE
STRENGTHENING EXISTING NETWORKS AND SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE WOULD MAKE A HUGE IMPACT ON ENTREPRENEURS ON AND OFF THE RESERVATION
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ACTIVITY 2: ACTIONS + OPPORTUNITIES
POTENTIAL RESOURCES Communities •
Leverage youth as valuable resources for modern/non-traditional knowledge
•
Use Graduate school programs to connect youth to policy makers
•
Use existing community public spaces as promotional opportunities like popup shops
•
Support grassroots movement to push for the implementation of solutions
Organizations •
CDFI (Community Development Financial Institutions Fund)
•
NABIN (Native American Business Incubator Network)
•
Build Navajo
•
SBDC (Small Business Development Center)
•
Navajo Broadcasting
•
Venture Capital Funders
Digital •
Bitcoin Currency
•
Accounting and Taxes Software
•
Info Hubs for Entrepreneur communities
•
Internet Forums for Business owner networks
•
Social Media marketing
Reporting back to the group
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ACTIVITY 2: ACTIONS + OPPORTUNITIES
“MY VISION FOR CHANGE TO CHANGE THE WORLD IN A POSITIVE WAY BEGINNING WITH MY COMMUNITY IN HOPI.”
POTENTIAL SERVICES & SKILLS Supportive Platforms •
Use youth platforms to promote inclusive discussions
•
Partner with community of Elders to create platforms that archive and share valuable , experienced-based information
•
Communication platform with the RBDO
•
Promotion and marketing platforms with larger media outlets
Financial Literacy •
Navigation systems for business owners to demystify loans and interest rate contracts
•
Training for Government and business centered organizations to acknowledge lack of support for low-income community members and their business aspirations
•
Dissemination of information on finance and businesses for collaborations/ partnerships/events.
Participatory Decision Making •
Involve community stakeholders in decision making processes through participatory design and planning
•
Use participation to decentralize government and get community to hold government and organizations accountable for corruption and conflicts of interest
•
Generate more surveys & discussions to hear from community that are experiencing the challenges
Sharing Success Stories
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MAD-LIBS
A big picture statement crowd-sourced by each table to summarize the group discussion
TABLE # 1 TO ADDRESS THE BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES OF POLICY IN NAVAJO ENTREPRENEURSHIP, WE BELIEVE WE NEED INFO SHARING, ACTIVE PARTNERSHIPSCOMMITMENT & RESEARCH/EDUCATION INVESTMENT TO ACHIEVE GROWTH, ECONOMIC HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY, (TAO HWOO AAJI TAA), SELF RELIANCE, GENERATIONAL LEGACY, STEWARDSHIP, OWNERSHIP FOR THE COMMUNITY.
TABLE # 2 TO ADDRESS THE BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES OF ACCESS TO FINANCE IN NAVAJO ENTREPRENEURSHIP, WE BELIEVE WE NEED A COLLECTIVE OF EXISTING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OFFERING FINANCE CLASSES TO THE COMMUNITY. INFO HUB FOR SMALL BUSINESSES & CENTRAL NAVAJO CREDIT UNION TO TAKE THE SMALL RISKS AND TRY NEW THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY.
TABLE # 3 TO ADDRESS THE BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES OF POLICY IN NAVAJO ENTREPRENEURSHIP, WE BELIEVE WE NEED COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN ENTREPRENEURS, GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY, SHARED + COLLECTIVE KNOWLEDGE ON DOING BUSINESS THE NAVAJO NATION + HOPI NATIONS TO ACHIEVE A HAPPY LIFE BECAUSE WE LOVE OUR CHILDREN.
TABLE # 4 TO ADDRESS THE BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES OF POLICY, CULTURE AND FINANCE IN NAVAJO ENTREPRENEURSHIP, WE BELIEVE WE NEED STRONG PARTNERSHIPS, TRAINING, MENTORSHIP, SHARING, MESSAGING, COMMUNICATION, POLITICAL BUSINESS + LEADERSHIP SERVICES & FRESH EYES TO GET 20% OF TOTAL POPULATION INVOLVED IN SMALL BUSINESS OPERATIONS. REPORT BACK
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ACTIVITY 2: KEY TAKEAWAYS
REINFORCE PARTNERSHIP AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE BETWEEN YOUTH AND ELDERS TO PROMOTE A CULTURE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
DEVELOP SYSTEMS TO NAVIGATE AROUND BUREAUCRACY AND INCREASE FINANCIAL LITERACY.
INCREASE ACCESS TO INFORMATION THROUGH REGULAR DISSEMINATION AND DEMYSTIFICATION OF POLICIES AND REGULATIONS.
INVOLVE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS IN DECISION MAKING PROCESSES AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION AT ALL LEVELS.
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APPENDIX Results of ‘Have and Need’ Survey given to respondents at the end of workshop
Financial capital 0
2
4
6
8
10
APPENDIX: Number of People Who Responded COMMUNITY ASSETS & NEEDS
12
Have vs. Needs of Services and Skills Technical Knowledge Outreach & Communications Marketing Staff recruiting Workforce training Human Relations Maintenance Market Research Development Types of Services and Skills
Tech Support Website Design Healthcare Accounting
Need
Grantwriting
Have
Financial Planning Fundraising Financing Design & Construction Property Acquisition Fees & Regulations License & permitting Insurance Legal Advice Strategic planning Business structure Business Planning 0
2
4 6 Number of People Who Responded
8
10
12
Top Needs
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APPENDIX: COMMUNITY ASSETS & NEEDS Have vs. Needs of Various Diff. Resources Staff Supplies Transportation
Types of Resources
Utilities Technology Phone Need
Internet
Have
Software Equipment Space Property Loan
Financial capital 0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Number of People Who Responded Top Needs
Have vs. Needs of Services and Skills Technical Knowledge
each & Communications Marketing Staff recruiting Workforce training Human Relations Maintenance
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APPENDIX: COMMUNITY ASSETS & NEEDS Have vs. Needs of Various Different Partnerships Peers
Types of Partnerships
Youth Financial Government Need
Non-Navajo
Have
Navajo Community Businesses 0
2 4 6 Number of People Who Responded
8
10
Top Needs
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