This article originally appeared on NerdWallet and is shared with with permission. When starting or growing a business, it’s tempting to cut costs by tackling projects yourself. When it comes to legal matters, a DIY approach works sometimes, but it can be risky. Online legal services offer do-it-yourself options and lawyer access at far lower…
Cafe Santana, owned by Richard Santana offers empanadas, bagels, and more, but for Richard and his team, it’s all about the coffee. The roast onsite in small batches, so their customers can walk out with a warm bag of roasted coffee beans on demand. Check out an excerpt from Cafe Santana’s profile: “Opening the…
In 2015, The City of Oakland and Main Street Launch (formerly OBDC) partnered to launch the Oakland Business Sustainability Program. The Oakland Business Sustainability Program offers a comprehensive, integrated mix of services to support businesses along the East Bay Bus Rapid Transit Route. The technical assistance part of the Oakland Business Sustainability Program is provided…
Running a small business is expensive, and meeting the obligations of vendors, employees, and paying yourself can make benefits like retirement savings seem too much for your expense line. We know that small business workers have the least access to retirement plans than any other employed group. There’s a solution that will now allow small…
On Wednesday, April 13, Main Street Launch and Veteran Launch hosted a networking event for our small business clients to connect with each other and with our team. The event was hosted at the veteran-owned, Oakland-based business Spice Monkey. Spice Monkey is one of our clients, located at 1628 Webster Street in Oakland. Owner…
Main Street Launch’s Oakland Business Sustainability Program offers Central and East Oakland businesses impacted by the upcoming Bus Rapid Transit construction business advising and small business capital to help their businesses develop growth strategies during the construction period and thrive by taking advantage of the new opportunities this project will bring. Artesanias Mexicanas El Sol is…
Main Street Launch (formerly OBDC Small Business Finance) is thrilled to be sponsoring events at both Oakland and San Francisco Small Business Weeks this May. We hope to see you there! Shop Small Saturday, May 7 in Oakland Click here for a flyer to post in your Oakland-based business for Small Business Saturday on…
We are proud to share our newest video, featuring some of our Oakland, San Francisco, and veteran clients. Click here to find all of our videos. Tell us about your favorite small business resources and stories on Twitter @mainstlaunch @veteranlaunch.
The Work Local Awards shines the spotlight on the boutiques, cafes, nonprofits, startups, and all the local employers that make our community great. The awards are presented by Localwise, a mission-driven organization focused on helping local businesses hire local employees. We’re proud to be listed among event partners that include the Federal Reserve Bank…
Karla de Leon is Main Street Launch’s Lead Business Advisor. This is part of Main Street’s business advising team’s ongoing series of best practices and tips for small business owners. Never miss a tip by signing up for our newsletter. Oakland is booming. This means construction is everywhere. While it might not be pleasant to have…