At Accompany Capital we create paths to success and self-sufficiency for immigrants & refugees – as well as other fellow New Yorkers. We don’t just support our clients with affordable loans, we continue to support them with:
Through our partnership with organizations like New York Women in Business, we sponsor and participate in events that highlight women entrepreneurs’ stories and bring together women who are starting, building, or expanding business to learn from each other’s journeys.
Women who are not our clients are also welcome to take advantage of the many workshops we offer on every phase of entrepreneurship, from starting a business, to marketing it successfully and take it to the next level.
We have also created a speaker bureau – AC Voices – highlighting Accompany Capital clients who have successfully navigated the very diverse challenges they have faced and can tell the story compellingly at meetings, conferences, and panels to uplift other women – and men – on their journeys. Contact us to learn more about this program.
Accompany Capital works closely with Women’s Enterprise Action Loan Fund (WEALF) to benefit from referring our clients to WEALF for mentoring while WEALF refers their clients to us for larger loans. WEALF was founded 7 years ago to help women founders and their businesses become financially self-sufficient through interest-free loans of up to $10,000 and one-on-one mentoring from experienced businesswomen to maximize the impact of the loan. Since then, WEALF has been proving – with each loan they grant – that zip code & ethnicity are no barriers to success for women entrepreneurs.
We are very pleased to welcome Ivan Momin, the first recipient of our new Leonid Ostrovsky Lending Fellowship. Ivan is a native New Yorker whose parents are first-generation immigrants from Bangladesh, currently pursuing his Bachelor’s in Finance and Economics at Queens College.
About the Fellowship:
The 12-month fellowship is an early-career opportunity for candidates with an interest in small business lending to immigrants and refugees to receive on-the-job training in leads management, underwriting small business loans, collections, reporting, and community outreach and marketing. The Fellow will also engage in research projects and receive mentoring from senior loan officers.
On-the-job training will include the following key responsibilities:
Fellows will be selected based on:
Please email lendingfellowship@accompanycapital.org or call 212-898-7815 if you have any questions about the fellowship or application process.
This Fellowship is named in memory of Accompany Capital’s Chief Lending Officer from 1997 to 2023, who left an indelible mark on the CDFI sector. Leonid’s passion for small business lending to underserved communities inspired us to create an opportunity for early career professionals, or those wishing to make a career change, to learn and gain paid experience. The Leonid Ostrovsky Lending Fellowship will learn how to provide access to capital to immigrant, refugee, and other underserved entrepreneurs, the importance of which he understood as a Ukrainian refugee.
If you’re interested in supporting the Leonid Ostrovsky Lending Internship, please contact Tsetan Dekyi for more information or donate here.
Date: Tuesday, February 24
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00PM
Location: Zoom
Understanding taxes is critical to running a successful business. This webinar breaks down small business tax basics in clear, practical terms so you can stay compliant and avoid costly surprises.
We’ll cover key tax responsibilities, important deadlines, and common deductions many business owners miss. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing for the tax season, this session will give you the knowledge to make smarter financial decisions.
What you’ll learn:
Speaker: Paul Rosenblum, Numerex Services, Small Business Consultant, Professional Bookkeeper, a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor
Click Here to Register.
For more information, please contact Tshering Gurung at tgurung@accompanycapital.org or 347-730-6468
This workshop is provided in partnership with the Queens Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Metropolitan Commercial Bank.
Date: Tuesday, March 3rd
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00PM
Location: Zoom
This is Part 1 of a 2-part series of QuickBooks Online Level 1 class for small business owners who are new to QuickBooks. The webinar aims to help you learn the basics and understand how you can use QuickBooks to manage your business finances. The sessions will cover the following:
Speaker: Paul Rosenblum, Numerex Services, Small Business Consultant, Professional Bookkeeper, a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor
Click Here to Register.
For more information, please contact Tshering D. Gurung at tgurung@accompanycapital.org or 347-730-6468
This workshop is provided in partnership with the Queens Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Webster.
Date: Wednesday, March 4th
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00PM
Location: Zoom
This is Part 2 of a 2-part series of QuickBooks Online Level 1 class for small business owners who are new to QuickBooks. The webinar aims to help you learn the basics and understand how you can use QuickBooks to manage your business finances. The sessions will cover the following:
Speaker: Paul Rosenblum, Numerex Services, Small Business Consultant, Professional Bookkeeper, a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor
Click Here to Register.
For more information, please contact Tshering D. Gurung at tgurung@accompanycapital.org or 347-730-6468
This workshop is provided in partnership with the Queens Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Webster.
Written by refugees who are now chefs in the Eat Offbeat kitchen, the Eat Offbeat cookbook features dishes from the culinary traditions of 14 chefs from around the world including Syria, Iran, Eritrea, and Venezuela with over 70 heirloom recipes that Eat Offbeat customers already know and love. Eat Offbeat also offers holiday bundles of some of their best-loved treats. Find them at Chelsea Market or online. Plus, they deliver!
NETO Chocolate is a small-batch, family-owned chocolatier on the Upper East Side – and online – dedicated to creating handcrafted, artisan chocolates made from sustainably and fairly traded cacao and fresh, mostly organic ingredients. Their sumptuous chocolates – including truffles, pralines, chocolate-dipped nougat, dipped orange slices, chocolate-covered cookies and pretzels, and nut and fruit barks – are also available in gift boxes, platters, and customizable baskets and include vegan, kosher-parve, and gluten-free options.
For New York’s best Tres Leches Cakes check out the classic and seasonal flavors – and Farm to Cup Dominican Coffee – at Sweets and Things on Fulton Street in Brooklyn! What started as a home-based hobby, then pop-ups, is now a popular cafe featuring over 65 different flavors, along with coquitos, tropical drinks, tres leaches Lattes, and other tasty treats!
Taaru Majeure is an online store offering a curated collection of unique, internationally inspired, and artfully designed items for the home, crafted using the finest textiles, leather, wood, pure metals, and woven materials sourced from African countries, including Mali, Senegal, Tunisia, and Ethiopia. Other offerings include all-natural skin care, fragrance, accessories, beautiful imported textiles, and even toys, all ethically sourced.
A celebration of South Asian flavors by Pooja Bavishi, the founder of acclaimed Malai ice cream, the Malai Cookbook shares the secrets behind Malai’s beloved flavors, with over 100 recipes, including Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds, Mango & Cream, and Coffee Cardamom as well as her popular Orange Fennel French Toast and Parle-G Masala Chai Ice Cream Sandwiches. Order it online, or stop by the store in Brooklyn, to
Offering simple, delicious, natural Ethiopian coffee and blends that allowing the unique flavors of each type of single origin bean to shine through. Many of our Ethiopian coffees are certified fair-trade and organic. Others are sourced from small farms that are committed to responsible practices but cannot afford the costs of certification. All of their Ethiopian coffees come from small-holder farms and farmers cooperatives.
Harathi is an online store dedicated to sharing the cultural and artistic heritage of Nepal through carefully sourced traditional objects and handcrafted pieces hat highlight the skill and storytelling of Nepalese artisans. With an emphasis on craftsmanship, history, and design, Harathi offers temple-inspired décor, handcrafted lamps and oil sets, jewelry and beads, antique sculptures, ritual artifacts, and Sherpa cups and stands, as well as crystal and natural stone pieces, each of which is selected for its authenticity, character, and connection to longstanding Himalayan traditions.
In the heart of Jackson Heights, an elegant selection of hand-crafted jewelry, beautifully wrought with 24K gold, fine silver, precious stones, and pearls. Expert craftsman are also on hand to make a custom piece to your specifications or to repair or customize your gold or silver pieces. Free nation-wide delivery as well.
Ofrenda Yoga Studio is a relaxing and welcoming space in East Harlem for yoga fans of all levels to practice, learn, and grow. There are classes for everyone, from beginners to experienced yogi, in both heated and non-heated yoga, as well as pilates. And their gift cards are a perfect choice for that friend or family member whose curious about yoga and wants to give it a try!
Onea for Kids is a thriving online business that’s redefining children’s fashion. Specializing in stylish yet affordable clothing for babies, toddlers, and young kids, Onea combines modern design with eco-conscious values, offering pieces made from organic and sustainable materials like bamboo.
The name Onea (pronounced oh-nee-uh) comes from a European baby name meaning “she or he who brings joy,” capturing the essence of childhood and the brand’s mission to bring happiness through fashion.
Aunt Ethel’s Pot Pies is a delicious line of healthy, savory gourmet pot pies, pre-baked and frozen, that reheat in 5 minutes! Available in stores like Wegmans and West Side Market, and online.
In Italy, the holidays mean Panettone and pastry chef Andrea Zanin’s Panettone – has won both Best Italian Pastry Chef and Best Italian Panettone awards for his proprietary recipe! Available at both the Williamsburg and Hudson Yards cafes where you can also enjoy delicious panini, pastries, caffe, crostate, quiche, and biscotti!
Two Kids and a Dog has stores in Williamsburg and Dumbo as well as an online selection of unique and creative toys, clothes, shoes, birthday gifts and much more from all over the world for children from 1 day to eight years old.
Harlem Chocolate Factory is an artisan chocolate company that strives to convey the cultural experiences of Harlem through their chocolate products, sharing their love for Harlem & Chocolate and bringing diverse voices to the forefront of the chocolate industry. Try their Brownstone Bars and their delicious bonbons and truffles!
Inca Heritage offers beautiful women’s hats, capes, coats, shawls, and dresses as well as fun children’s hats and toys, all made with 100% Premium Baby Alpaca and organic cotton from natural, organic sources, environmentally safe, and 100% free of animal cruelty.
Balkan Bites is a female and family-owned business that specializes in wholesome Southeast European comfort foods made with premium ingredients and authentic recipes, such as Burek, a portable stuffed phyllo swirl.
The Gilded Grape has a strong focus on local producers, featuring wines from the Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley & North Fork- even Brooklyn – and artisanal spirits such as gin, whiskey, single malts, and vodka from New York State craft distilleries, as well as other popular brands and producers.
Olive oil-based, gentle, all-natural skincare, body care, and hair care products that are safe and effective to combat early signs of aging, allergies, or skin sensitivities, giving you beautiful skin and stronger hair.
Award-winning language learning, translation, interpretation & cultural exchange services, powered by refugee talent & host community members.
Butcher Girls Co. is a virtual butcher shop, hand-delivering curated boxes of local, sustainable, and humanely sourced meat and fish as part of a weekly, biweekly or monthly subscription program.
The Bark Shoppe is a premier pet care facility in Harlem, dedicated to fostering great relationships between pets and their owners. Featuring signature soap-free shampoos for your pet’s coat and sensitive skin; water-based hydrating body sprays infused with natural essences to provide a long-lasting deodorizing scent without sacrificing the natural oils in your pet’s fur; and gentle but effective combs and brushes.
Please contact Tsetan Dekyi at Tdekyi@accompanycapital.org or 212-898-7815 for more information.
The owner of Le’Bulga Inc., a luxury handbag company, Natalia tells an impressive story of building a successful business from the ground up in the highly competitive fashion industry. After immigrating to the United States in 1995 from Uzbekistan, she graduated from FIT with a degree in Fashion Design. Upon graduation, she worked for various high-end fashion brands, which led to her passion for handbag design.
Le’Bulga handbags have been worn by celebrities and fashion insiders, and have been featured in fashion magazines alongside luxury brands including Burberry and Chanel.
The daughter of Filipino immigrants and the owner of SPAdét, Annabelle tells an inspiring story about leveraging entrepreneurship to solve real-world problems. Using her background in biochemistry, she began experimenting with natural personal care products in 2008 to heal her daughter’s eczema. Once she perfected a formula that worked for her daughter, she founded SPAdét, which is best known for its O’Live Castile Soap – a pure, safe, and environmentally friendly liquid cleanser for sensitive skin.
SPAdét has secured large contracts with educational institutions, medical facilities, child learning centers, and specialty pharmacies.
The owner of Alima Hair Braiding in Brooklyn, Alimata tells her moving story about making the best of challenging circumstances – and uplifting other women along the way. A refugee from Burkina Faso who arrived in New York with her husband and children in 2012, she opened two hair braiding salons after putting herself through school.
Alimata’s salons employ eight women from her community. She is also the founder and president of the Association of African Women, a nonprofit networking group for African women entrepreneurs.
Archana came to the US from Nepal in 2003 and studied chemistry and sociology at Hunter College, graduating in 2010. She worked in sales, marketing, and training at Time Warner and Verizon before becoming the business manager at a Manhattan day spa. She was able to save enough money to open her own business on the Upper East Side in 2018: Lenox Spa and Nails, a spacious day spa specializing in manicures, pedicures, and facial treatments. A loan from Accompany Capital helped finance completion of construction and the purchase of spa equipment. Lenox Spa and Nails has created 11 full-time jobs.
As a member of the Accompany Capital Voices Speakers Bureau – women entrepreneurs who are ambassadors for Accompany Capital and experts in their business sectors – she is available to speak to groups about entrepreneurship.
Marieme Keita, who came to New York from the Ivory Coast in 1992, speaks eloquently about work life balance, including making time for the joy her four children bring while still managing employees and a thriving business.
She began work as a hair braider in 1992, later opening her own own storefront braiding salon. Learning by doing, she gained the experience and confidence she needed to open her next business in 2015 – Keita West African Market – and has saved enough to purchase a home for her family as well. Located on a street with extremely high foot traffic in Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn, the Keita West African Market now carries over $200,000 in merchandise and has recently expanded to include Lycamobile and money transfer services as well.
Her goal is to continue to expand and provide the most value she can for her customers, employees, and community while enjoying life and her beloved family as well.
Millie Carbajal started M&M 24HR Daycare when she was 30 years old, a single mom, and a hotel worker. Dissatisfied with the day care choices she found for her young children – particularly for her night shift work – she started researching how to open her own. When she discovered her home didn’t meet state requirements, she found one that did and moved.
The first three years after she opened were hard. She had to cash out her 401k and apply for food stamps to make ends meet while paying for training classes for a Child Development Associate (CDA) degree. She was soon able, however, to open a second location, M&M Preparatory, and then M&M 24HR Daycare, both ow which are affiliated with the New York City’s 3K and Pre-K programs.
Today she serves over 40 families and, in 2019, she and M&M’s 24-hour services were featured in Time Magazine. She now sits on the Board of the UFT as a first Chair, representing child care providers from the Bronx.
Special thanks to the New York Women’s Foundation for supporting this project. Contact us at cgohorel@accompanycapital.org for booking information.
