Comments on: Is it Wrong for Kiva to Help U.S. Entrepreneurs? http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/08/kiva-help-us-entrepreneurs.html Exploring the trends driving small business Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:12:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Unusual Places to Look for Funding Online | makemoneyfast.tv http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/08/kiva-help-us-entrepreneurs.html#comment-669832 Unusual Places to Look for Funding Online | makemoneyfast.tv Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:38:34 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=17160#comment-669832 [...] began in 2005 with a focus on helping entrepreneurs in underdeveloped nations. But in August, Kiva expanded its mission to include U.S.-based businesses, too. If you operate in an economically distressed region of the [...] [...] began in 2005 with a focus on helping entrepreneurs in underdeveloped nations. But in August, Kiva expanded its mission to include U.S.-based businesses, too. If you operate in an economically distressed region of the [...]

]]> By: Kiva Brings Its Micro Loans To The US | Keetsa Mattress Store – Keetsa! Blog – Eco-Friendly and Green News http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/08/kiva-help-us-entrepreneurs.html#comment-665788 Kiva Brings Its Micro Loans To The US | Keetsa Mattress Store – Keetsa! Blog – Eco-Friendly and Green News Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:30:41 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=17160#comment-665788 [...] Small Business Trends Tags: borrowers, business trends, developing nations, equipment, kiva, micro loans, [...] [...] Small Business Trends Tags: borrowers, business trends, developing nations, equipment, kiva, micro loans, [...]

]]> By: marsha shenk http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/08/kiva-help-us-entrepreneurs.html#comment-665221 marsha shenk Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:14:48 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=17160#comment-665221 This is an extraordinary moment in the history of commerce. As a Business Anthropologist, I am fascinated by the explosion of community-type behavior, which I see in new media http://bestwork.biz/blog/?p=144 as well as more traditional pathways. That Kiva is reaching out to others in new ways is part of a global shift triggered by the current recession. Some new exchanges will be more effective than others - that's all part of the amazing experiment that constitutes human society. Our brains are wired to respond to others - especially as vulnerability is revealed or illuminated. That tendency is the basic engine of commerce; it's been powering human communities for 150,000 generations, and it will continue to drive new solutions. I am grateful to all who step up, in whatever way they can. This is an extraordinary moment in the history of commerce.

As a Business Anthropologist, I am fascinated by the explosion of community-type behavior, which I see in new media http://bestwork.biz/blog/?p=144 as well as more traditional pathways.

That Kiva is reaching out to others in new ways is part of a global shift triggered by the current recession. Some new exchanges will be more effective than others – that’s all part of the amazing experiment that constitutes human society.

Our brains are wired to respond to others – especially as vulnerability is revealed or illuminated. That tendency is the basic engine of commerce; it’s been powering human communities for 150,000 generations, and it will continue to drive new solutions.

I am grateful to all who step up, in whatever way they can.

]]> By: KerryR http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/08/kiva-help-us-entrepreneurs.html#comment-665178 KerryR Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:41:23 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=17160#comment-665178 Chris, I agree with you. If Kiva adopted an objective measure of poverty, I think where the lender lives does become irrelevant. So if Kiva said, "we'll target the 20% poorest people of the world", then that could be translated into an annual income below $X per year. Then Kiva could fund loans for people in any country below that income threshold. Chris, I agree with you. If Kiva adopted an objective measure of poverty, I think where the lender lives does become irrelevant. So if Kiva said, “we’ll target the 20% poorest people of the world”, then that could be translated into an annual income below $X per year. Then Kiva could fund loans for people in any country below that income threshold.

]]> By: TJ McCue http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/08/kiva-help-us-entrepreneurs.html#comment-665172 TJ McCue Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:42:20 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=17160#comment-665172 I think its great. The "micro lender" has the choice. Some people, myself included, are motivated and inspired by helping someone in a truly impoverished location. Others, want to loan closer to home and feel good about that. I agree with some of the comments that it is overblown. Kiva is a platform to make lending happen where it isn't working, or happening, on a consistent and level playing field. Their effort in the US is one I applaud. I think Katie said it pretty well. I think its great. The “micro lender” has the choice. Some people, myself included, are motivated and inspired by helping someone in a truly impoverished location. Others, want to loan closer to home and feel good about that. I agree with some of the comments that it is overblown. Kiva is a platform to make lending happen where it isn’t working, or happening, on a consistent and level playing field. Their effort in the US is one I applaud. I think Katie said it pretty well.

]]> By: Maria Pulsoni-Cicio http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/08/kiva-help-us-entrepreneurs.html#comment-665159 Maria Pulsoni-Cicio Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:25:54 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=17160#comment-665159 Hi! Kiva sounds like a great organization. My opinion is that Kiva should continue their efforts in developing countries. The economic decline is especially felt in impoverished countries. Third world and developing countries need help from organizations like Kiva now more than ever! Hi! Kiva sounds like a great organization. My opinion is that Kiva should continue their efforts in developing countries. The economic decline is especially felt in impoverished countries. Third world and developing countries need help from organizations like Kiva now more than ever!

]]> By: Rick Falls http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/08/kiva-help-us-entrepreneurs.html#comment-665151 Rick Falls Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:39:57 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=17160#comment-665151 I think it's a great idea ! The US banks stupidly are sticking their noses up at potentially strong micro companies while our government throws money at their ultimately broken business models. We could use someone with the good sense to lend to businesses in the very beginning stages. After all small business growth will be the way the economy snaps back into shape. It always has been and always will. The SBA thinks your a small business when you're doing a million a year in sales? Huh? A ton of job growth would happen could with very small investments (by US standards) say 2500 to 25000 dollar micro loans. If the banks and the government realized the benefits of micro business funding we could have been on our way out of the mess long ago. I think it’s a great idea !

The US banks stupidly are sticking their noses up at potentially strong micro companies while our government throws money at their ultimately broken business models.

We could use someone with the good sense to lend to businesses in the very beginning stages.

After all small business growth will be the way the economy snaps back into shape.

It always has been and always will. The SBA thinks your a small business when you’re doing a million a year in sales?

Huh? A ton of job growth would happen could with very small investments (by US standards) say 2500 to 25000 dollar micro loans.

If the banks and the government realized the benefits of micro business funding we could have been on our way out of the mess long ago.

]]> By: chris http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/08/kiva-help-us-entrepreneurs.html#comment-665150 chris Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:25:39 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=17160#comment-665150 I can appreciate the poverty that exists within other nations - but really, isn't "international" exactly that - international? I don't think that including the USA is the real factor. Because there are many poverty stricken people in the USA as well. The real factor will be Kiva's determinations as to who gets what and who needs it the most. Including the USA shouldn't be an issue if their practices remain fair. If they do, people will all remain on the same playing field. I can appreciate the poverty that exists within other nations – but really, isn’t “international” exactly that – international?

I don’t think that including the USA is the real factor. Because there are many poverty stricken people in the USA as well. The real factor will be Kiva’s determinations as to who gets what and who needs it the most. Including the USA shouldn’t be an issue if their practices remain fair. If they do, people will all remain on the same playing field.

]]> By: Katie http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/08/kiva-help-us-entrepreneurs.html#comment-665142 Katie Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:33:54 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=17160#comment-665142 Unfortunately, many people do not realize that microfinance has been in the US for over 20 years, so Kiva is only a newcomer in providing microloans to entrepreneurs. Keep in mind that microlending is not a grant or free money. People who take out microloans must pay them back, plus interest. Not everyone in the US has equal opportunity to access financing and microloans can empower and open doors for people who would otherwise not be able to access financing elsewhere (look around at any poor neighborhood - how many banks do you see? Hardly any). After all, these entrepreneurs are taking initiative to generate their own income and create new jobs - and we should encourage and celebrate that! Unfortunately, many people do not realize that microfinance has been in the US for over 20 years, so Kiva is only a newcomer in providing microloans to entrepreneurs. Keep in mind that microlending is not a grant or free money. People who take out microloans must pay them back, plus interest. Not everyone in the US has equal opportunity to access financing and microloans can empower and open doors for people who would otherwise not be able to access financing elsewhere (look around at any poor neighborhood – how many banks do you see? Hardly any). After all, these entrepreneurs are taking initiative to generate their own income and create new jobs – and we should encourage and celebrate that!

]]> By: tmore http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/08/kiva-help-us-entrepreneurs.html#comment-665141 tmore Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:27:58 +0000 http://smallbiztrends.com/?p=17160#comment-665141 Its not wrong, but it is misguided. I think Kiva values a dollar sent to a poor entrepreneur in a poor region less than one that is given to an entrepreneur in the US while the reverse is true in reality. If it is money they have in abundance then they are not doing enough in mobilizing the entrepreneurs in poor regions enough. Fast tracked growth can result lead to deviations from an organizations mission, which is evident in that decision by Kiva. tmore Its not wrong, but it is misguided. I think Kiva values a dollar sent to a poor entrepreneur in a poor region less than one that is given to an entrepreneur in the US while the reverse is true in reality. If it is money they have in abundance then they are not doing enough in mobilizing the entrepreneurs in poor regions enough. Fast tracked growth can result lead to deviations from an organizations mission, which is evident in that decision by Kiva.

tmore

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