Small Businesses are the Story
OBDC is thrilled that our client Hip Chick Farms was featured in this NerdWallet article.
Vote OBDC Clients for “Best of Oakland”
OBDC clients past & present are nominated for “Best of Oakland” – vote before it ends on May 21!
Reliable Transportation is Good for Business
The New York Times reported on a new study that reveals that commuting time is the single most important indicator in whether or not low-income families are able to escape poverty. This relationship between social and economic mobility and transportation is stronger than other factors like crime, elementary school test scores, or the percentage of two-parent families within that community, according to the article.
Meet our Borrowers: BAS Consulting
OBDC is now serving US military veterans across California. In March 2015, OBDC closed our first loan to a small business located outside of Northern California. We are thrilled to announce that our veterans program is available to US military veterans and their spouses throughout the state of California.
Celebrating LGBT-Owned Businesses in the Bay Area
The San Francisco Business Times, in conjunction with SF Pride in June, is planning to compile and publish a list of businesses who self-identify as LGBT-owned. OBDC is thrilled to announce our nominations from our portfolio of borrowers.
BAS Consulting
Donald Stukes launched his second business, BAS Consulting, in 2009, offering management, scientific, and technical consulting. Currently, some of his clients include CalTrans of Southern California, the Department of Energy, and Battelle. BAS Consulting works with other consultants, bringing as many as six onto one project last year. Helping to connect other entrepreneurs with opportunities is a big part of his business model.
Las Marianas Food Truck
Rosa says, “I opened my business for many reasons, but the most important thing for me was to be able to employ my family.”
Bon Voyage, Felicia!
Last week, OBDC said “bon voyage” to Felicia Pierson, OBDC’s Senior Vice President – Oakland Market Manager, after more than 7 years with the organization, blending the expertise she gained in corporate banking with her passion for supporting and empowering underserved communities.
Bay Area’s Best Businesses are OBDC Clients
In March, the Bay Area A-List 2015 Winners were announced. This annual list received more than 35,000 verified votes on the 6,100 nominees of great Bay Area businesses. OBDC is proud to support many of the top-10 winners this year. We tweeted about all of these businesses last week, but in case you missed it, we present the list here.
Lending Circles Come to OBDC
This week OBDC Small Business Finance was selected as part of Better Bay Area, a program supported by Mission Asset Fund, Google, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and Y&H Soda Family Foundation to bring the power of lending circles to a larger network of communities across the Bay Area. OBDC is planning to use lending circles to support borrowers in building credit, receiving financial education, and in growing their networks to help their businesses thrive.