Spring 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Main Street Launch (formerly OBDC Small Business Finance) believes that our unique partnerships and staff expertise are critical components to connecting our borrowers to the capital, education, and relationships they need to thrive. This year continues to be full of exciting new partnerships and staff contributions:

We were thrilled to share the news of our name change this month. For more information and to read the announcement, click here.
We were excited to announce Veteran Launch, an affiliate of Main Street Launch dedicated to bringing resources to small businesses owned by veterans and their families. For more information,click here.
Our new partnership with Kiva is supporting over 30 Oakland businesses. Lend today by clicking here.
Kathia Kacic brings our community another credit tip in her ongoing series about ways to improve a credit score.
Main Street’s Advising Corner is brought to you by Karla De Leon, Lead Business Advisor.
We’re proud to share our videos highlighting our clients in Oakland Launch, San Francisco Launch, and Veteran Launch. Click here to see all four videos.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Jacob Singer, President & CEO

Main Street Launch

Advising Corner:
Top Three Things Business Can Do When Construction is Near Your Location

Oakland is booming. This means construction is everywhere. While it might not be pleasant to have construction crews in front of your business, the long term benefits of the upgrades to the city could mean positive growth for your business.

Here are three things business owners can do to prepare for upcoming construction near their location.

1. Develop a way to stay in touch with your customers.

2. Start thinking about new ways to get customers in the door.

3. Let your customers know construction is coming.

Click here to read the full post and find more tips.

Get to Know Robert Lattimore,
Senior Vice President

“We have access to perhaps the most innovative entrepreneurs in the country. They view their success through a lens that includes impact not only for themselves but for their community. They want to help others succeed. They often offer to mentor each other in areas where one entrepreneur might have more experience or success than the other. I pass a wall every day in our office that includes pictures of our clients. Every one of them has or is making a difference in the local economy. What I like about working at Main Street Launch is the fact that our clients allow us to be part of their vision.”

Click here to read Robert’s full interview.

Meet Our Clients: Kenny’s Heart & Soul

“Now, Kenny’s Heart and Soul is the only soul food truck in the Bay Area, serving hundreds of customers each week their famous homestyle cooking. ‘Kenny’s Heart and Soul is love on wheels. Our fried chicken is that ‘shake and bake’ style that you shake in a paper bag then cook in some oil. My dad’s recipes inspire us, and our grounded, homespun approach is what our customers connect to,’ says Kenny.

Kenny and Bill came to Main Street Launch looking for an organized, financing partner. ‘At the time, we got counseling and guidance from Main Street, and that was invaluable. The money let me complete my vision, and the support made it possible for us to start.'”

Click here to read the full profile.

Main Street Launch and Kiva Partner to Bring Capital to Oakland Entrepreneurs

Crooked City Cider, a Main Street Launch and Kiva Oakland client

Main Street Launch is thrilled to be a matching loan partner with Kiva Oakland.

Small businesses strengthen our communities and often times a loan up to $10,000 makes the difference when a business needs to do something like purchase equipment to take a business to the next stage.

Main Street and Kiva’s partnership provides both aspiring and existing entrepreneurs more expansive resources for funding. A zero-interest loan, up to $10,000, through Kiva allows a business to accelerate to the next stage, and when more growth funding is needed Main Street Launch is here to provide loans from $10,000 to $250,000, so a business can achieve goals like opening a brick and mortar or hiring employees.

You can lend to a neighbor by clicking here. Our matching funds mean your $25 loan becomes $50 to these small businesses, putting them that much closer to securing the capital they need.

BusinessAdvising.org connects free expert advisors and mentors to entrepreneurs for tailored, hands-on assistance to grow businesses and create new quality jobs in their communities. Click here to sign up at no cost to you.

Townsqd is a closed social network that connects neighborhood small businesses to each other. This platform fosters collaboration among businesses and offers a place to share resources and information. Click here to join at no cost to you.

Localwise connects local people to jobs at local businesses. As small businesses are ready to make their first hire or grow their team, Localwise offers a local job community focused on building talent in small businesses. Click here to post a job.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Click here to view more upcoming events to support your business this spring and summer.

We welcome our partners and community to share upcoming events.
We post them on social media and on our website.
Send any upcoming events to katie@mainstreetlaunch.org.

Legal Clinic at the Oakland Business Assistance Center

by Legal Services for Entrepreneurs

Date: Thurs., April 14

Time: 5-7pm

More info: http://tiny.cc/LSE_Oakland

Legal Workshop: Intro to Intellectual Property

by Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center

Date: Weds., April 20

Time: 6pm

More info: http://tiny.cc/RenEvents

Shopify: Build an Online Store
by Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center

Date: Tues., May 3