When the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) first launched, Donna Drake, owner of Drake Media Network and host of The Donna Drake Show, was ready. She stayed up late, prepared her application, and submitted it as soon as her bank’s portal allowed. But despite her long-standing relationship with the bank, her application was ultimately denied—without explanation or the opportunity to provide missing information.

Like many small business owners, Donna faced the harsh reality of the PPP process, where larger clients often took priority, leaving smaller businesses scrambling for alternatives. With banks restricting applications to existing customers and new options emerging, navigating the system became a challenge of persistence and strategy.

Read Donna’s full story in Long Island Business News here.