by Tonya Sams

   (Plain Press December 2025) Starting a new business can be extremely challenging, especially when there seem to be large barriers to overcome. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland may be able to help with its Legal Center for Entrepreneurs with Low-Income. 

   Established in 2019, The Center creates avenues out of poverty for those with low-income. The Center focuses on addressing the issues that make it difficult to achieve entrepreneurship including: providing legal check-ups and legal services to income-eligible business owners; partnering with business development incubators to connect entrepreneurs with mentoring and other supports; and providing education on common legal issues for entrepreneurs and self-employed people.  

   “Legal Aid’s Legal Center for Entrepreneurs with Low-Income is so important because it’s essential to Legal Aid’s mission to work with individuals in low-income communities who are trying to build wealth in those same communities,” said Michael Russell, Senior Attorney in the Community Engagement Practice Group at Legal Aid. “A good way for people to build wealth is to start a healthy business, that not only brings in income but employs others in the community.”

   The Center helps to remove the barriers that entrepreneurs with low incomes regularly face including access to credit, education, and legal counsel.

   “Oftentimes, entrepreneurs with low incomes lack a credit history that allows them to access financing that otherwise would be available to them from traditional sources. They lack basic business education to know the ins and outs of regulatory compliance to make sure that they’re following all the rules with regards to zoning, licensing and taxes,” Michael said. “Legal counsel is expensive, so we want to fill that gap in services and provide basic legal counsel to businesses that are either getting started or are established and are looking to build or to overcome a crisis.”

   Those who are interested in starting or building their business can apply for help 24/7 at lasclev.org/apply. If the application is accepted, the applicant will be interviewed by Legal Aid staff to learn more about the business and to determine if they are ready to receive legal services.  

   Legal Aid also has a few resources for business owners that may need additional help, including referrals to business development partners who will offer mentorship and help them develop a business plan. Legal Aid may also offer discreet legal representation for business owners when complex challenges arise, such as possible lawsuits. 

   Entrepreneurs can also attend a Legal Aid Brief Advice Clinic to sit with an attorney to obtain legal advice free of charge. To find out if a Brief Advice Clinic will be in your neighborhood, go to lasclev.org/clinics.

   For more information on The Legal Center for Entrepreneurs with Low-Income go to  

lasclev.org/get-help, click “Community Initiatives” then “Legal Center for Low-Income Entrepreneurs”.

Tonya Sams is a Development & Communications Manager at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.