Founded by a partnership between Marianne Lam and Jacquelyn Coo, The Storybook School officially opened on October 23, 2017. Ever since then, their school grew from two to forty students, almost reaching max capacity within one year. The Storybook School is an all-inclusive, relationship and project-based school preparing 2-5 year olds to transition into grade…
Aburaya is a restaurant inspired by punk rock and a mission to provide affordable Japanese cuisine, such as the fried chicken and more to the local community. Originally, Aburaya started as a pop-up, but settled in a more permanent location on Oakland’s 17th St after popular demand for the chicken and other dishes. They are…
Growing up, David Benton, the owner of Sugarsweet Cookie and Cake Studio, was not exposed to baking. He went on to California Culinary School to become a chef. During his studies there, he took an introductory baking class and immediately fell in love with it. After the 2008 recession, he lost his job and started…
Nido opened on Oak Street in Oakland, and since then, more small businesses have opened in the Jack London Square area. When you visit their space, you get great cocktails, incredible plates of food, and a welcoming and fun ambiance. “Cory McCollow and his wife Silvia used their loan to open the doors to…
Secession Art & Design opened their Mission Bernal location in August 2007 and has since grown to represent over 70 independent artists and designers. Their retail location is a gallery, boutique, and workspace, creating a non-traditional storefront that allows customers to see art being made in-house by Heather Robinson and to experience shows curated by…
The majority of people who live and work in Oakland and San Francisco work for small companies and organizations. It’s important as we get closer to a big shopping season to make active choices about where you put your dollars. Small businesses are the backbone of our local economies, but they also invest heavily…
Main Street Launch’s Intern – Impact Evaluation & Marketing Linda Ho offers information about CDFIs. This article was originally posted on January 10, 2018. WHAT IS CDFI? Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) provide access to financial services for local residents and businesses, sharing a common goal of expanding economic opportunity in low income communities.…
Wholesome Bakery is an organic, sustainable bakery offering delicious options to serve nearly every dietary restriction: gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, trans fat-free, low glycemic, and more! Their ingredients are thoughtfully sourced and locally produced. You can purchase Wholesome Bakery products at their bakery, as well as in many grocery stores! In addition to baked goods,…
Nite came to Main Street Launch through a referral from La Cocina, a nonprofit that provides entrepreneurs that with affordable commercial kitchen space. Nite used the loan from Main Street Launch as starting capital, to buy equipment and pay her employees. Coming to the United States as a refugee from Cambodia, Nite Yun opened…
Katie Taylor, Vice President – Marketing & Executive Projects, interviews Brooke Solomon, Main Street Launch’s Loan Closing Manager. Click here to read Brooke’s bio. How did you come across Main Street Launch? I graduated from the UC Berkeley in 2017, and I immediately accepted an internship at Main Street Launch. I had always been…
