Oakland’s Best Restaurants are OBDC Borrowers
Oakland Restaurant Week 2015 is a celebration of Oakland restaurants and eateries, running from January 15 to January 25.
Rules for Small Businesses are Changing in 2015
Katie Burke at the San Francisco Business Times recently compiled a list of six changes that impact small business owners in San Francisco in an excellent article. This is critical information that will also impact Oakland-based businesses in 2015. You can read the full article for additional details.
Business Training Course with Veterans in 2015
We know that business education can be a critical service for all entrepreneurs. As a result, in January, Noah Harris, Assistant Vice President – Veteran’s Program, will facilitate a one-time workshop, and then, in February, a 10-week course, offering aspiring entrepreneurs who are US veterans a chance to build their business plans.
So You Want to Shop with Local Businesses…
While the desire to support local business is great, it is sometimes hard to know what local businesses are operating near you. If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area this holiday season, the San Francisco Economic Development Alliance (SFEDA) is making it easy for you to find a big variety of local businesses, all in one place.
Make Your Holidays Local with Small Business Saturday
Millions of Americans will venture out on Thanksgiving evening and the next day, hoping to get the best deals on their Black Friday purchases. If you wait just one day and shop on Small Business Saturday, or even commit to doing your Black Friday shopping at a local, independent business, your purchase will have a significantly higher impact in your local community.
Hiring with Confidence
Hiring great talent is a critically important, and also enigmatic, topic for many small businesses. Especially when applicants may have a criminal record, how are you to know the right questions to ask in the application process to minimize your risk and liability and maximize the talent pool available to your business?
What OBDC Borrowers Have to Say
We want to use this week’s blog post to share some of our borrower stories. One of the most exciting features of our new website is our “client spotlight.” This is where we share the stories of some of the incredible businesses we’ve worked with.
A Visit to Oakland Businesses
Last week OBDC staff and board members visited some of the innovative Oakland businesses we have funded and supported.
Urban Farmers and Young Entrepreneurs
This week, the SBA published a success story of an OBDC client, Back to the Roots. The story highlights the impact of BTTR’s $50,000 micro loan from OBDC on the early successes of the business.
Whole Foods Grant for Local Food & Body Care Product Makers
Through May 31, food and body care product makers can apply to receive a grant from Whole Foods Market to grow their business – whether they currently supply the retailer with products or not. This is the first time Whole Foods Market has offered grants for local producers.