Pushing Through

County MBE Compliance Manager Mirinda Jackson Shares Thoughts On How the Minority Business Community Can Work To Survive Coronavirus

By Raoul Dennis

Mirinda Jackson had worked with seven presidential administrations over the course of her career and she’s seen numerous economic downturns but nothing like what we are facing this time.

“We obviously will see a lot of businesses that may not make it through this in terms of the small restaurant small business retail,” she says. “But I would say many of them will start or join new industries or recreate themselves. We'll come through it and with all of the focus and resources that we have, you know, they'll come through it.”

The veteran administrator says there will be new opportunities borne out of this moment.

“There’ll be new opportunities and new jobs that weren't there before. Look at the line control jobs, policing the lines to get into the stores and space to maintain social distancing indoors. More delivery jobs of all kinds of products. There will be more of that and things like it. Loan packaging and other consultant occupations will grow, too. People need to look for angles that will come out of this type of situation as new streams of income or business growth.”

Some traditional industries never lost pace during the pandemic. In fact, they picked up momentum because of Coronavirus.   

“Construction and trade industries will move ahead – primarily. These are going on right now. Those industries never stopped. That’s a plus,” Jackson says.

Mirinda Jackson is the Prince George’s County Council’s Minority Business Enterprise Compliance Manager. After 12 years in the position with her experience in fighting for balance in working to assure minority participation in business, she is one the region’s most respected professionals in the field – on both sides of the contracting table.

In an interview with Ms. Jackson, Prince George’s Suite gained insight to her perspective on what the county’s minority business community may expect in the months ahead.

Build your relationship with your bank, she says. “If you deposit your money anywhere I'm saying you have a relationship already. Go to the branches here in the area where your business is located or where they are located. I would do that first. They may not know you personally but they should get to know you.”

Jackson says that for now, a lot of major projects for the county have slowed down but that they will come back in full eventually. She suggests that business owners make use of this moment to better position themselves for when they do.

“Encourage businesses to become certified because it's important that they use this time to do those kinds of things now while things are slower. It’s a win-win for companies to be certified. It’s important for the contractors because they have to report their numbers.”

Jackson says the county’s current leadership has been a critical asset to businesses and residents.

“We are very fortunate in Prince George's County with the leaders we have and other elected officials all driven to support and assist residents and the businesses,” she says. “They have really been doing all they can to get resources and help to people. Follow them, get in all the webinars and tele meetings that you can.”

Networking is 24-7 she says. Get out there in everything that can be soaked up.

“Things have slowed down but they haven’t stopped,” Jackson says.