Earlier in my life, I tried my hand in business. After graduating from the Wharton School, I joined a group of friends in starting up a technology firm.

Unfortunately, during the 2001 downturn, we lost our funding, and my dreams of being a tech mogul were dashed. But because of those experiences, I have a very strong and very personal respect for those entrepreneurs and small business owners who put their blood, sweat, and tears– as well as their own money– into their ventures. 

In the state legislature, I’ve tried to be a champion for small business. I authored the Small Business Relief Grant Program, which allocated $4.1B in relief grants to small businesses suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic and authoring a law to address predatory lending targeted at small businesses. I’ve also authored other legislation trying to help small businesses, including several bills (which did not pass) trying to reduce the regulatory burden that they face in our state, as well as a law that addressed the growing problem of predatory lending targeting small businesses with hidden junk fees and usurious rates. 

In Congress, I’ll continue to try to be a champion for small businesses.