Mayor Mamdani Celebrates Small Business Month as NYC BEST Saves Small Businesses More Than $6 Million Since Taking Office

 

Thousands of small businesses served through NYC BEST since start of Mamdani administration

 

Monthlong small business month celebrations include free workshops and community events, culminating in third annual NYC small business month expo on May 28  

Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kenny Minaya announced that the administration has helped small businesses avoid more than $6 million in fines and fees through 1,100 advisement visits since taking office. The milestone comes as New York City celebrates NYC Small Business Month, a citywide recognition of the small business owners, workers and neighborhood commercial corridors that power the City’s economy.    

  

“Small businesses are the backbone of every neighborhood in this city,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “But too many business owners have had to spend their time fighting bureaucracy instead of building their futures. From day one, our administration has worked to cut red tape, reduce needless fines and make City government work for working people. $6 million saved since the start of our administration is real money back in the hands of real New Yorkers — and during Small Business Month, we are bringing that commitment directly into every borough and every commercial corridor that makes this city run.”  

  

In addition, SBS has delivered more than 1,000 services through the NYC Business Express Service Team (NYC BEST) during this period, helping small business owners navigate government regulations through one-on-one consultations, pro bono legal services and other support that helps businesses avoid costly penalties. These efforts are part of the administration’s broader commitment to cut red tape, expand access to capital and affordable financing and strengthen neighborhood economies.  

  

This NYC Small Business Month also follows Mayor Mamdani’s Executive Order 11, which aims to reduce fines and fees and eliminate burdensome regulations that hold New York City’s small businesses back.    

 

Throughout May, SBS will host dozens of community events and workshops across all five boroughs, connecting entrepreneurs with City services and resources. NYC Small Business Month will culminate in the third-annual NYC Small Business Month Expo on May 28 – a free, citywide event bringing all of New York City government under one roof to provide consultations, seminars and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their businesses.    

  

“NYC Small Business Month is about meeting entrepreneurs where they are and ensuring every New Yorker—whether they’re just getting started or looking to grow—has access to the tools they need to succeed,” said SBS Commissioner Kenny Minaya. “From cutting red tape, saving businesses millions in fines and fees and expanding access to affordable financing, to investing in our commercial corridors and workforce, SBS is dedicated to creating a more inclusive and resilient local economy. We’re also proud to end this year’s celebration with our annual NYC Small Business Month Expo, where entrepreneurs can find the guidance they need to thrive in the city globally known for its vibrant small business community.”  

  

Throughout May, SBS will host programming designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage of business development. Events include:   

•    Workshops on licensing, compliance, financing and marketing   

•    Workforce recruitment events   

•   Merchant organizing and commercial corridor activations   

•   Industry-specific training and networking opportunities   

 

Entrepreneurs can explore the full calendar of events on the NYC Small Business Month webpage.   

 

Furthermore, as part of NYC Small Business Month, Mayor Mamdani and SBS have launched citywide outreach efforts to prepare local businesses for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. By promoting the city's NYC World Cup 2026 Business Tool Kit, SBS is helping to ensure that entrepreneurs can fully capitalize on the projected surge in tourism and foot traffic.  

 

To date, SBS has reached over 56,000 New Yorkers and will continue to deepen engagement through "Mobie" (Mobile Outreach Unit) tours, targeted email marketing to the food and nightlife industry, social media promotion and roundtables. SBS will also be launching a Mobie Outreach Tour to visit the following locations this month, with support from local community-based organizations:   

•    May 15 – 161st Street, The Bronx   

•    May 19 – Little Haiti, Brooklyn   

•    May 22 – Port Richmond, Staten Island   

•    May 26 – Koreatown, Manhattan   

 

Additionally, as part of this month’s programming, SBS will celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with targeted events and workshops for AAPI entrepreneurs, including:   

•    Legal workshops and consultation clinics   

•    “Meet the Lender” event   

•    Multilingual support and technical assistance   

 

These workshops are designed to address common barriers to capital for AAPI communities, including language access challenges, while also providing guidance on financial planning and long-term business sustainability.    

 

The third annual NYC Small Business Month Expo on Thursday, May 28, will connect small business owners directly with City agencies, industry experts and resource providers.

  

The Expo will feature:   

•    One-on-one advising with SBS and City partners   

•    Access to financing and legal assistance resources   

•    Workshops on starting and growing a business   

•    Networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs   

 

New Yorkers interested in attending can register and RSVP on the NYC Small Business Month webpage.  

 

With nearly half of New Yorkers working for small businesses, these efforts are critical to ensuring the City’s continued growth and long-term economic resilience. NYC Small Business Month underscores SBS’ mission to make New York City the best place in the world to start and grow a business by removing barriers to success, investing in communities and connecting New Yorkers to opportunity.   

 

About the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS)

SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, supporting strong businesses and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information about SBS services, visit nyc.gov/sbs, call 311, or follow SBS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.