Why Your Marketing Plan Matters
Last Friday, July 24, our team participated in our partner BusinessAdvising.org’s free webinar “4 Pillars of a Successful Brand”. You can watch the replay of the webinar for free by clicking here.
Local jobs and how to find them
Localwise, like a lot of start-ups, has evolved over time, and now serves as a platform for local businesses to post their opportunities and for local folks to find jobs.
OBDC client Mark Ryan recounts their first year
One of our clients Mark Ryan Fine Art Services recently reflected on their first year and what’s to come in a newsletter. In their shared workspace in Oakland, their team works to build beautiful, custom framing and mounting for each client.
Meet our Borrowers: Las Marianas Restaurante
Rosa Martin fulfilled her lifelong dream of owning her own restaurant in 2013 when she purchased 3731 International Boulevard in Oakland. When she wanted to update the inside of her business and figure out how to pay down the credit card debt she accrued to launch her business, she came to OBDC. Here’s an excerpt from our interview with Rosa:
Understanding Your Business Financials
Most lenders require updated business financials when an application is submitted, but your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement offer an insight into your business performance that may allow you to more quickly adapt to potential challenges and leverage new opportunities.
Meet our Borrowers: Laurel Book Store
In 2014, long-time client Laurel Book Store moved to downtown Oakland. We’re thrilled that this business found a great location just across from City Hall in Frank Ogawa Plaza.
Five Important Things to Know About Community Lenders
NerdWallet (@smallbiznerds on Twitter), recently posted an article describing important differences between community lenders like OBDC and traditional lenders, like commercial banks. This great post features OBDC’s Scott Lewis, and makes important distinctions that small businesses seeking capital should be aware of. Click here to read the full article.
Local Businesses Celebrate Warriors’ Win
On Friday, June 19, 2015, Oakland business owners joined in the hometown celebrations for the Warriors’ parade. It was amazing to see the amount of #dubnation being celebrated by our clients on Twitter and at their businesses.
The Pop-Up Dinner Series You’ve Been Waiting For
Pampalasa, a new San Francisco restaurant and OBDC client, celebrates Filipino heritage and cultural pride by supporting and ensuring sustainably sound business practices and products for a responsible, cultural dining experience. The newest element of this dining experience is their upcoming pop-up dinner series, featuring several guest chefs.
We love craft beer (businesses)
Our team at OBDC was thrilled to read a recent article in San Francisco Business Times about our borrower, Noble Brewer. OBDC’s loan to Claude Burns, CEO of Noble Brewer, closed in December 2014, and since then, his business has taken off, creating an artisan beer tasting community that brings homebrews to life.
