Main Street Launch is proud to support LGBT-owned small businesses. A report from NGLCC (National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce) shows that the U.S. has an estimated 1.4 million LGBT-owned small businesses that create/sustain 33,000 jobs and contribute $1.7 trillion to the economy. Not surprising, California has the highest number of certified LGBTBEs (LGBT…
Katie Taylor, Vice President – Marketing & Executive Projects, interviews Andrea Ramirez, Business Outreach Manager. Andrea comes to Main Street Launch with a diverse background include affordable housing and tenants rights and GIS mapping. Click here to read Andrea’s bio. How did you come across Main Street Launch? After graduating from UC Berkeley in 2016,…
At Main Street Launch our partnerships are a critically important way we support small businesses to get the resources they need to start and grow. We’re thrilled to share our growing relationship with Hack the Hood, a tech nonprofit that trains youth to build websites. The youth participants are paired with small business owners who…
Main Street Launch is proud to introduce Shop Oakland Now, an online directory of Oakland small businesses. The site is still in development, and we invite you to use it, share it, and send us your feedback. Our goal is to ensure that all operating Oakland small businesses have an online presence to help new customers…
For Parle Innovation, innovation drives them and is at the core of their company . In 2013, Mary Parle Shulenberger and her husband Art sought out a loan from Main Street Launch to support and grow their business. “Technology is a way to advance people’s lives, and while sometimes it has the potential to…
The City of Oakland will mark National Small Business Week (April 29-May 5) with an an exciting week of community events and over 80 educational workshops for Oakland small businesses. The 2018 Small Business Week theme is “Helping Oakland’s Diverse Business Community Thrive.” Entrepreneurs and business owners may choose from sessions at Oakland City Hall…
In this newsletter: Letter from Our CEO Introducing Shop Oakland Now Credit Tip Small Business Week(s) are coming! Thank You to our Funders Advising Corner: Succession Planning for my Family Business Meet our Clients: Freedom Makers Resource for your Business: Oakland Grown Get to Know Debra Peace Upcoming Events for Your Small Business Get Connected…
Chris Pastena, owner, always knew he would own restaurants: “This is my destiny. I can’t remember not thinking about owning my own restaurant. I wanted the freedom of expression to do what I wanted to do where I didn’t have to play by other people’s rules.” Calavera has been open since 2015, and they…
Katie Taylor, Main Street’s Vice President – Marketing & Executive Projects, interviews Debra Peace, Main Street’s Office Manager. Prior to joining the organization, Debra has served nonprofits for over ten years in a variety of roles. Click here to learn more about Debra’s background. How did you come across Main Street Launch? I was looking…
Michael Cran is a woodworker, artist, and entrepreneur. When he was in his 20s and still living in Canada, he visited his grandparents at their cabin where he first saw a boat that his uncle had made. After spending time around the boat, he decided that he was going to build his own boat someday.…
