Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are mission-driven financial institutions that serve communities and individuals who have not yet had access to traditional financial services, like bank loans. Our organizations typically are focused on serving our clients, so we rely on the work of other organizations to do larger advocacy work that will benefit our clients…
In this newsletter Veteran Launch Update Credit Tip Resource For Your Business: CalSavers Thank You To Our Funders Resource For Your Business: Gusto Advising Corner: Your Business’ Online Presence Matters Meet Our Clients: Degrees Plato Resource For Your Business: Venturize Welcome To Our Newest Clients Veteran Launch Update As we wrap up our fiscal year,…
“My great uncles inspired me to own a business,” remembers Dana. Liquor was illegal in the early 1930, and the Bushouse brothers, John and Peter created a moonshine production that was successful back at the time. Eventually they were forced to end their business, but generations later, Dana decided to follow her great uncles’ footstep,…
Monetta White and David Lawrence are the owners of Black Bark BBQ. Black Bark BBQ is a quick serve barbecue restaurant in San Francisco’s Fillmore District. They offer Texas-style BBQ that emphases good quality, excellent service, affordable prices, and comfort food. Black Bark BBQ is known for their brisket, and in fact their restaurant is…
Our partnerships continue to be an increasingly important part of how we support the small business community in Oakland and San Francisco and military family-owned businesses across California. These partner organizations are doing incredible work to help level the playing field for small businesses. In this newsletter we share:
“When I was working for someone else, I found myself drawn to pursuing my own art. When I decided to open the store, my business expanded beyond my dream and became a place to support other local artists, as well as myself.”
Seth created a new food product that was healthy and could serve as a meal supplement to give his peers and himself a better option than the meals available. Now Inside-Out Bar is a mission-driven nutrition bar company with a social impact that helps their customers fuel their bodies with a powerful food that supports good health from the inside out.
Chuck Bragdon, retired United States Navy Chief, founded Water Saver Solutions (WSS) in 2008. What started out as a home improvement project in Southern California to help people save money and conserve water is now so much more. Water Saver Solutions is a federally-certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). Chuck discovered Veteran…
In 2017 Chris and Maurion joined Main Street Launch’s Entrepreneur in Residence program to grow their knowledge and expertise on the business part of their business. “We jumped in head first when we opened the store, learning the ins and outs as we went. Now we have a better understanding about why things work…
Of the veteran-owned companies served by Veteran Launch, 54% have been new businesses; despite the fact most traditional lenders will not consider funding startups. New businesses help keep neighborhoods thriving, and Main Street Launch is uniquely suited to support these businesses as they work to achieve their goals. Singer said, “Veterans have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and we are thrilled to support these small business owners in starting and growing their businesses.” To learn more about the veteran-owned companies Main Street Launch supports, please visit: veteranlaunch.org/client-spotlights.
