Millions of businesses felt the impact of sweeping changes such as social distancing restrictions. According to data from the April 2020 Current Population Survey, the number of active business owners in the United States plummeted by 3.3 million or 22%. While there are some resources available, such programs are continually changing. Small businesses struggle to find adequate resources to stay afloat. CommUniverCity does its best to support local businesses through Marketing Smarts and Advertising Campaigns. 

In the spring semester of 2020, SJSU students enrolled in Professor Delacruz’s ADV 129 Campaigns Management Class worked to create marketing plans for four local businesses: Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, Filomena Farms, A Slice of New York, and Knight Sounds. 18 students were divided into 5 groups, each group tasked with meeting with their client and staff members, designing a marketing book, developing new ideas, and providing training on adobe mobile applications. When lockdown restrictions were announced, students presented their final marketing plans and held workshops demonstrating Adobe Spark and Lightroom through Zoom. 

“I just super love that our color scheme and everything is automatically synced up so we can have effortless brand continuity in that regard… Can’t wait to get my hands on it!”

Aubrey Bowen, Filomena Farms Director of Communications

This fall of 2020, we gave a voice to clients of our partner agency, Start Small, Think Big! who supports under-resourced entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds. Deep Root Cleaning Services, Professional-Eco Cleaning, LLC, De La Tierra Vegan Food, and California Vegan Food Company worked with skilled advertising student groups to identify specific marketing needs, such as creating a website or increasing their social media following. 

“I am so grateful for all of your effort helping a small entrepreneur!… It has been a pleasure seeing everything come together and even the new idea emerge of using me as part of the logo and my narrative as the main focus!”

Rosa Contreras, California Vegan Food Company CEO 

Many small entrepreneurs lack the capacity to keep up with the digital marketplace. This year has not made efforts any easier. By providing advertising and marketing support, CommUniverCity is able to stimulate wealth creation in marginalized communities while everyone tries to limit physical contact.