First Lady Frances Wolf Discusses Resiliency of PA Small Business Community and Highlights Resources for Support Shannon Maldonado, Founder and Creative Director of YOWIE and One Lens Southeast Regional Ambassador; Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, Owner of Mi Casa Su Casa Café and Reading Councilwoman; Daniel Betancourt, President and CEO of Community First Fund; and The small business professionals discussed the challenges of keeping businesses open and how they had to shift their strategies to continue providing for their communities. Aside from discussing how the state continues to provide resources for the small business community, Carol Kilko commented on their tenacity and commitment to the people they serve. “As devastating as COVID-19 has been, one of the upsides that came from it is a newfound appreciation for the businesses and employees that put their health and safety on the line to get us through this pandemic,” said Kilko. “Small businesses had to get creative and change the way they did business – whether through offering outdoor dining for the first time, through pivoting manufacturing operations to produce PPE, through implementing online ordering or curbside pickup for the first time, and so much more. The result was that they kept their businesses and their communities running while protecting Pennsylvanians’ health and safety. Even with all of the divisions facing us today, one thing we can all agree on is that these people deserve our thanks and our support.”