A new initiative aims to help businesses impacted by the pandemic maximize their digital footprints.

Open + Online, from the New York City Small Business Resource Network (or SBRN), creates and expands the online presences of small business for free.

A report with Mastercard SpendingPulse -- which measures in-store and online retail sales -- shows that online retails sales in the city increased 7% over the last two years -- highlighting the need for small businesses to have e-commerce capabilities.

Brooklyn native Diannah Sparks is the owner of cruelty free and non-toxic nail polish line 'A Princess and an Heiress', named after and inspired by her two daughters.

"I wanted to create a brand that was safe enough for children to use but high quality enough for their moms and the adults around them to use as well," she said.

She launched the brand a year ago during the pandemic. Sparks says she started selling the polish at pop-up events around the city, but she didn't yet have an online presence.

As many businesses are looking to make a post-pandemic comeback, Sparks says she's hoping that with the help of her new website she'll be able to grow her business.

Since launching, the SBRM has engaged with more than 15,000 businesses.