Katie Taylor, Main Street’s Assistant Vice President – Communications, interviews Adrian Gomez Zavala. Adrian worked as a banker and licensed financial specialist at a community business bank before coming to Main Street Launch. He brings a deep knowledge of business and the resources available to support Bay Area entrepreneurs. Click here to read more about Adrian.
In what ways do you think Main Street Launch brings value to our communities?
The first thing that comes to mind is capital. We provide small business funding to entrepreneurs here in Oakland, in San Francisco, and across California to veterans. The second thing is education. If you’re not ready for the loan, we’ll teach you how to get ready. Third is jobs. Our clients’ businesses create jobs, and that adds value to everyone. Most importantly, we listen to our clients, and I really believe in all of my clients’ projects. We’re here to help.
In what ways do you work with our clients?
I’m the first point of contact for our clients in Oakland. If you call us, then I’m the catalyst for helping you take your business idea and secure the funding you need. My job is to work with our Oakland clients to get their loan package complete for underwriting. That means we spend time together doing what we need to do to get everything ready, whether it’s working on the business financials or adjusting the project plan. All of that work is what helps our clients achieve their goals.
What inspires you or motivates you about your work with our clients?
It’s all about gratitude. At the end of the process, with the capital, and once the business is open, our clients express so much gratitude. It’s so often we hear “without Main Street Launch I couldn’t have made it happen,” which is so inspiring. It touches me that I’m able to help make dreams come true and that I get to help our clients create jobs for their families. Growing up in Mexico my parents owned a business, and it was all to help my siblings and me by giving us more opportunities.
What do you enjoy about working at Main Street Launch?
The people. Our staff are all different and our team is diverse. More than that, Main Street Launch helps people from all over the world, which gives me the opportunity to meet people from different cultures. We’re all here trying to live the American Dream.
Anything else you’d like folks to know?
After 12 years in the United States, I’ve found success in my professional life. As a business banker and now here at Main Street Launch, I can offer great tips and advice to entrepreneurs about how to make it happen.
I think most importantly I want business owners to know that when you’re my client, I’m on your team and I’m here to be your advocate. I’ll do whatever I can to help you get ready. If Main Street Launch’s services aren’t what you need or aren’t the best fit, I have relationships and Main Street Launch has relationship that can help connect you to the right resource for your business. These are all resources at no cost, so call us and let us see how we can help you.
