Monitoring your credit is an important activity that many people skip. Your credit score, the three digit reflection of your creditworthiness, can have a big impact on various aspects of your financial life. Access to loans and credit cards Creditors look at credit score to help them determine how likely you are to pay…
In 2016, in partnership with Wells Fargo’s Diverse Community Capital program, Main Street Launch developed additional programs and services specifically designed to support African American small business owners in Oakland and San Francisco. San Francisco Small Business Week Main Street Launch is proud to have partnered with the San Francisco African American Chamber…
Regardless of where you operate your business (from home, online, a storefront, etc), all businesses must obtain all the necessary licenses and permits. Different types of businesses require their own specific permits and licenses, so having a clearly defined business plan and structure can be helpful through the permitting process. Get started The Small…
Main Street Launch launched our Entrepreneur in Residence program in 2016. One of our EIR companies is Civil Labs, a social enterprise with a mission to empower young people to make change in their community and to give them the resources to do so. The most recent youth-focused company Civil Labs is incubating is True Pops.…
Sean Sullivan has been an advocate for the LGBTQ community and the Oakland small business community for 15 years. He and his partner Richard Fuentes saw an opportunity to create a gathering place open seven days per week, specifically focused on serving LGBTQ people and Uptown. From that combination of passion and opportunity, The Port…
In 2016, in partnership with Wells Fargo’s Diverse Community Capital fund, Main Street Launch developed some additional programs and services specifically designed to support African American small business owners in Oakland and San Francisco. This program is lead by Robert Lattimore, Senior Vice President. One element is our Entrepreneur in Residence Program. Our Entrepreneurs…
Voting is now open for the East Bay Express’ annual Best of the East Bay issue. Voting ends July 8. Here are some recommendations of our clients, in case you need some inspiration. Click here to vote now! FOOD & BEV Best Bar: The Double Standard Best BBQ: Everett & Jones…
This article originally appeared on NerdWallet and is shared with with permission. Businesses face many hurdles, especially when just getting started, and cash flow is near the top of the list. Even for profitable companies, it can be a challenge to make sure that more money is coming in every month than is going…
Karla De Leon is Main Street Launch’s Lead Business Advisor. She offers tips and advice to entrepreneurs to help them start and grow their small businesses. This tip is about how lending circles can support a small business owner who wants to establish or improve credit. As a business owner, making sure you are…
We’re thrilled to share this great piece about our Oakland clients Marisa Montalvo & Kristin Whitlock, owners of Alt. Brides, a bridal boutique on wheels, allowing brides-to-be to shop for their wedding dress easily. Here’s an except: “Then they needed the wheels. After scouring Craigslist for months, they finally found a truck…