Bay Area Biz Entrepreneur Project...the buzz

26th Annual MLK, Jr. Breakfast Hosted by NNOA

2011-12-27T11:46:00.000-08:00

On January 14, 2012, the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA) Monterey Chapter and the Naval Postgraduate School will host the 26th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Buffet, Saturday, at 9:00 a.m. in the Barbara McNitt Ballroom. The event has become a yearly put on by the NNOA that is held on the beautiful and esteemed Naval Postgraduate School campus. The very passionate and eloquent Reverend Dr. Harold R. Mayberry, Pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Oakland will be the keynote speaker. Dr. Mayberry will inspire the audience. NNOA is a non-profit organization with members from the Seas services (Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard). The Chapter has been hosting the annual breakfast commemorating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. since around 1986.The Naval Postgraduate School trains the best and brightest military officers from the United States and around the world to received advance research and training at the school in Monterey, California, to work with world class faculty. The NPS is on a beautiful campus located at 1 University Way, Monterey, California. Tickets are $25 per personPurchase online at www.iStillHaveaDream.com NPS ITT tel: (831) 656-2432Commander Denise McCallaCreary, USN, RET at (408) 268-2933Sonja Brooks 510 541-0445

Association of Minority Contractors and Business Owners Welcome White House Officer of Public Engagement to Oakland | Operation HOPE Blog

2011-07-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

Association of Minority Contractors and Business Owners Welcome White House Officer of Public Engagement to Oakland | Operation HOPE Blog

June Training at San Francisco SBA office

2011-06-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a variety of classes for business owners in our Entrepreneur Center, located at 455 Market Street, Suite 600 in downtown San Francisco. Registration for all our classes is required. To register, go to the SF Small Business Development Center registration site: http://sbatraining.eventbrite.com/ unless otherwise indicated in the class description.

Sign up, “show up” and for “tell” others about this training program.

Dates of Events Listed Below: June 6th to June 30, 2011

Marketing with a Bite!
6/13 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Join a team of restaurant industry leaders on as they share their personal restaurant experiences, successful marketing strategies in social media and promotions, and provide tips for maintaining a strong customer base during today's economic climate! $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.

Vertical Marketing Strategies for Small Business
6/13 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Learn how to develop more persuasive message and channel strategies that show how small business’ services and products benefit specific types of customers: vertical markets.

Federal and State Basic Payroll Tax Seminar
6/14 10:00AM – 4:00PM
This class guides participants through the basics of that preparation. Subjects include determining independent contractor versus employee, withholding taxes, deposits and completing the proper forms. Presented by the IRS and the California EDD Tax office.

Maintaining Tax Records
6/14 3:00 PM–5:00 PM
Learn the money-saving tax strategies of the pros in this fun interactive course, and learn how to effectively create the tax records necessary for proper IRS reporting. Receive a valuable overview of how to use technology to simplify your life with online banking and QuickBooks. $20 registration fee. Presented by SF SCORE.

Creating and Distributing Social Media Content
6/15 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
You get it. Social Media is important. Toward that end you have created a plan and signed up for Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. The next step in your plan is to produce content to share with your Social Media circles. How do you do that without spending every waking hour doing it? This class will show you how to develop and distribute social media content without ignoring your core business while doing it.

*State Payroll Tax Workshop
6/16 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Basic Bookkeeping, Part Three
6/16 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Topics include developing a budget, statement of cash flow analysis, and developing a cash forecast. Participants should have complete Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that seminar. $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.

Contabilidad Basica Parte 3
6/16 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Aprenda a manejar y proyectar el flujo de caja del negocio (cash flow). Adicionalmente aprendera sobre opciones de financiamiento bancario y microprestamos. Se requiere que los participantes hayan completado Contabilidad Basica I o esten familiarizados con los temas cubiertos en esa clase. Costo de la clase $30. Presentado por SF SBDC.

Turbo Charge your Next Trade Show Appearance!
6/16 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Learn the essentials necessary for success at domestic and international trade shows. We will cover insider secrets as well as pre and post event marketing techniques that will enable your company to have a rewarding experience. $30 Registration Fee. Presented by the SF Small Business Development Center.

Quickbooks for Restaurants and Food Service Businesses
6/20 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Topics include ingredient and payroll cost analysis, sales and use taxes, catering sales, customer and vendor set up, etc. Exercises include daily register and POS system sales, setting up budgets, etc. This is a hands-on workshop. Participants should have complete Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that workshop. $60 Registration Fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.

Doing Business with Virgin America
6/21 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
A representative from the Virgin American airlines will discuss their procurement system including what goods and services they purchase and their interest in green procurement and minority suppliers.

Rescheduled…..Doing Business with Blue Shield of California
6/21 11:00AM to 12Noon
New Date/Time……6/28 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Blue Shield of California is committed to supplier diversity by providing access and opportunity for all service providers to participate in our procurement process. A representative of the company will discuss their diverse supplier base; bid opportunities; prime suppliers and subcontracting opportunities; and goods and services sought.

Cancelled…..Doing Business with Cisco Systems
6/21 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Corporations and LLCs Offer Different Options
6/21 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Learn how to make the best use of your corporation or LLC to save money and shield you from liabilities. Learn the compliance details of when and how to properly set up your entity, including medical insurance plans, compensation strategies for tax planning, records management, and banking. $20 registration fee. Presented by SF SCORE.

Hi-Tech, Low-Cost: Internet Strategies to Run and Market Your Business
6/21 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Internet offers many shortcuts to starting and growing your business in today's world. But it is also full of unproductive sidetracks that can steer you away from success. We will look at the pros and cons of some of the online tools available to better help you run your small businesses as well as discuss whether and how online marketing might work for you. We will cover: Free Resources, Website Creation, Collaboration Tools, Social Media, Internet Marketing Essentials. $20 registration fee. Presented by SF SCORE.

HUBZone and WOSB Program Certifications
6/23 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
This workshop will explain provisions of the HUBZone Program and the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program. Eligibility requirements, application and certification will be explained.

SBA 8(a) BD Certification Workshop
6/23 10:30 AM – 12Noon
This workshop is for small firms owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals interested in being certified for SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program. The 8(a) BD Program was created to help such concerns compete in the American marketplace.

Choosing a Retirement Solution for Your Small Business
6/23 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
The U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) will provide a presentation focused on choosing a retirement solution for your small business. To ensure a financially secure future, it is critical to make the right choices. We can help you start today.

QuickBooks Introduction
6/23 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
This overview will discuss setting-up, updating and running financial reports, and efficient procedures for entering your accounting data. This is a hands-on workshop. Participants should have complete Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that workshop. $60 Registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.

Impuestos para Pequeños Negocios
6/23 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
En esta clase aprendera sobre que impuestos locales, estatales y federales debe pagar como pequeño negocio. Costo de la clase $30. Presentado por SF SBDC.

*6th Annual Ignite! New Business Expo --- Business Is A Festival of Life!
6/24 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

How to Start and Manage a Small Business
6/27 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
This is a comprehensive and unique one-day seminar for both prospective and current business owners who want to gain a better understanding of what they need to know and do to succeed in their business. Learn best practices and insider tips as a moderator and industry experts guide you through the basics of: Business Plans, Insuring against Risk, Accounting, Legal Structures, Marketing & Sales, and Financing. $50 registration fee. Presented by SF SCORE

Restaurant Series: Wine and Dine your Customers!
6/27 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
In this class, you will learn: how to hire, motivate and train your employees to meet service demands. Principles of customer service and hospitality. Server sequencing. Suggestive selling techniques. Problem solving, handling difficult guests and more... Presented by the SF SBDC. $30 registration fee.

Doing Business with Blue Shield of California
6/28 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Blue Shield of California is committed to supplier diversity by providing access and opportunity for all service providers to participate in our procurement process. A representative of the company will discuss their diverse supplier base; bid opportunities; prime suppliers and subcontracting opportunities; and goods and services sought.

Doing Business with Chevron
6/28 9:30AM to 10:30AM
Learn the procurement process and opportunities for doing business specifically with Chevron in this informative presentation by a representative of the company.

How to Quickly Attract Your Prospect's Attention
6/28 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
What is your prospect most interested in? Whatever it is, this should be the first thing you address in all of your marketing communication (i.e. print, online and in-person). You need to come right to the key point. Then, explain further. In a world of short attention spans, you need to assume you will only have a few seconds to catch someone's interest before they move on.

Doing Business with Genentech
6/28 2:30PM-3:30PM
A presenter form Genentech will discuss opportunities for contracting to sell your goods and services to this leading biotechnology company.

The Check is NOT in the Mail
6/28 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Getting paid for your product or service - in full and on time - is often a problem. Learn how to get your money while you actually build your business.

SF SCORE SimpleStart 1st Workshop
6/29 – 9:00 AM – 12Noon
Make a smart start and begin your journey for small business success. 1st Session (Start-up Basics) is Free…$125 for Workshops 2-5 (Business Planning concepts; Marketing Plan; Financial Projections; Funding Sources and Next Step). Space is limited. Register at: www.sbatraining.eventbrite.com

What is the Buzz about Blogging and How is It Important for My Business?
6/29 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Learn the ABCs to optimally match your business plan's objectives to the power of the World Wide Web and what many now call Web 2.0, the art of social media networking. We will focus on demystifying the terminology so you can be transformed to a "passionate adopter" and learn how to target your market, reach more customers but most of all be seen as an "Influencer", not just a salesperson or marketer.

Doing Business with General Services Administration
6/30 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Who GSA is and how they are organized, how to do business with the GSA, review of contracting regulations, requirements and specifications. Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), process to obtain a GSA schedule (in detail) and applicable websites. Presented by the Federal Technology Center and the SF SBDC. Register www.theftc.org

Quickbooks en Español
6/30 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Aprenda a usar el programa de contabilidad Quickbooks para llevar un registro correcto y al dia de todos los ingresos y gastos del negocio. Se proveeran computadoras para practicar en clase. Se requiere que los participantes hayan completado Contabilidad Basica Parte 1. Costo de la clase $60. Presentado por SF SBDC.

E-Marketing en Español
6/30 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
En esta clase aprendera a usar herramientas tecnologicas para implementar su plan de marketing por el Internet. Adicionalmente, entendera como puede usar Facebook para promocionar su negocio. Costo de la clase $30. Presentado por SF SBDC.

Starting a Consulting Business
6/30 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Our panel of experienced consultants will discuss the insider story of opening and running your business as a consultant. Topics will include finding clients, pricing your services, establishing a business identity, legal requirements, and maintaining customer loyalty. $30 registration fee. Presented by the SF SBDC.

*Listed below are events offered by organizations and groups that are not always sponsored by SBA and may or may not be held at the San Francisco Entrepreneur Center:

*State Payroll Tax Workshop
6/16 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
This workshop provides participants with hands practice on how to calculate state taxes and complete state payroll tax forms. The workshop is recommended for those who have previously attended a Federal/State Basic Payroll Tax Seminar or for those familiar with state payroll tax reporting but who would like additional practice. Presented by California EDD. Register at http://www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Tax_Seminars/ or Call 866 873-6083. Location: Hiram W. Johnson Bldg, Vallejo Room, Lower Level, 455 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco.

*6th Annual Ignite! New Business Expo --- Business Is A Festival of Life!
6/24 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM - Frank Ogawa Plaza – City of Oakland
A celebration of local entrepreneurship, registration now open at http://www.igniteexpo.org

City and County of San Francisco FREE Monthly Workshop Series:
1st Wednesday of Every Month
How to Become a City Vendor and/or Certify Your Business with the San Francisco Human Rights Commission as a Local Business Enterprise (LBE), PUC-Local Business Enterprise (PUC-LBE) or Non-Profit Entity (NPE)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: 1485 Bayshore Blvd., Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94124
RSVP: 415-252-2531 or Taraneh.Moayed@sfgov.org
2nd Wednesday of Every Month
How to Bid on City Contracts and Make the most of your LBE, PUC-LBE and NPE Certification 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: 1485 Bayshore Blvd., Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94124 RSVP: 415-551-4335, AHouston@sfgov.org
3rd Wednesday of Every Month
Overview of the San Francisco Surety Bond Program for LBE, PUC-LBE and NPE Certified Construction Firms 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: 1485 Bayshore Blvd, Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94124 RSVP: 415-986-3999 or nowens@imwis.com

San Jose Entrepreneur Center classes – www.sanjoseecenter.org

If you do not wish to receive future announcements of SBA events, please reply to this email with the word “Delete” in the subject line and provide the email address to be deleted.

If you know someone interested in receiving this weekly distribution, instruct them to send an email request to sfoevents@sba.gov to be added to the list.

The SBA training program is made possible by the generous support of our volunteer teachers and presenters. We appreciate their time and expertise; however, these presentations do not represent an endorsement of their views, opinions, products, or services by SBA. All SBA programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance.
Kathleen M. Butler-Tom
Administrative Resource Coordinator
San Francisco Entrepreneur Center Training Coordinator
DOTR - Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center and
Women's Initiative for Self Employment - Oakland and Novato
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
San Francisco District Office - Mail Code: 0912
455 Market Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105-2420
Telephone: (415) 744-6777
Fax: (415) 744-6812 or
Desk Top Fax: (202) 481-2871
http://www.sba.gov

Rodrigo Espinosa Marketing and Social Media Presents

2011-03-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

This past January, I had enrolled in a course that I felt would help my role as a small business program manager and a business consultant at my work so I decided to tak a course titled Strategic Marketing 2.0 Social Media technologies.

There was a mix of students from various countries, many people already working in the marketing department of tech related industries. The course was five weeks long on Saturdays from 9-4pm and was taught by Rodrigo Espinosa. The course rates 4.5 out of 5 form me, only because I have nothing to do on my Saturdays.

On Wednesday evening, Rodrigo will present to the Entrepreneur Training Workshop at Operation HOPE. Rodrigo Espinosa is Managing Director at Groove 11. His role encompasses brand strategy, business development and marketing. He’s an adjunct Professor at both UC Berkeley and Golden Gate University. He’s an instructor for Public Relations, Strategic Marketing, Integrated Marketing and Strategic Brand Management. He’s a board member at Lonesome George & Co (www.lonesomegeorge.net) advising in brand positioning and marketing strategy.

Additional experience includes Senior Management at Maritz, George P. Johnson, MediaLive International, Brience, Gartner and Ziff-Davis. Rodrigo has extensive experience in international marketing. He’s worked in Asia, Europe and Latin America. He’s managed partnerships in Latin America and done business in Europe and Asia.

His list of past clients include; Starbucks, Cisco, Intel, Citrix, American Express, BMW, Symantec, KPMG, Blackberry, Apple, Microsoft, Kodak, IBM, Clorox, Jeep, GM, Dell, Oracle and Avon among others.

I am excited to have Rodrigo as our guest presenter on Wednesday, March 23, 2011. Operation HOPE is located at 3062 E. 9th Street in Oakland. Call for further information 510 535-6700.

$5000 Scholarship For Deserving College Students

2011-02-28T13:52:00.000-08:00

Contact: Erica Zeidenberg for SF Bay Area Insurance Agency
925-631-0553

San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency and MassMutual Announce Scholarship Program for Northern California Multicultural College Students

Walnut Creek, CA, February 23, 2011 – Local multicultural college students from the general San Francisco Bay Area have the opportunity to apply for scholarships as part of the MassMutual Scholars Program promoted by the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency, a general agency of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual).

High achieving students of African-American/Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, or Hispanic descent who reside in or attend a college in Northern California may apply for one of three $5,000 college scholarships. Applicants must meet certain academic criteria and must express an interest in pursuing a career in the insurance and financial services industry. Students of all majors will be considered. Scholarship winners will have the opportunity to network with professionals in the industry and may be eligible for internships.

Nationally, MassMutual is making $135,000 in scholarships available in nine metropolitan areas as part of the program.

“We’ve always been committed to attracting talented professionals to the field of financial services, and in particular to supporting people of diverse backgrounds, both as agents and as clients,” said Robert Fakhimi, General Agent, San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency. “These scholarships will, ultimately, help us better serve Northern California’s increasingly diverse community.”

This marks the third consecutive year that the SF Bay Area Insurance Agency has participated in the scholarship program with MassMutual.

“Our scholarship program is a very important part of our commitment to diversity and education, and because of it and our other efforts, we’re already making a big difference in the lives of the communities we serve,” said Nick Fyntrilakis, assistant vice president of Community Responsibility for MassMutual.

The scholarship program’s application deadline is May 2nd, 2011, and winners will be notified in late summer.

To be eligible, applicants must:
• Be of African American/Black, Asian/Pacific Islander or Hispanic decent.
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with a permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551 (not expired).
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Have plans to attend FULL-TIME, a degree-seeking program at a U.S. accredited institution in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands or Guam during the 2011-2012 academic year.
• Be entering their sophomore, junior, senior or 5th year senior year at a four-year university or be a community college student.
• Reside or plan to attend an institution in one of the following metropolitan areas: Atlanta, GA; Denver, CO; Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Central New Jersey; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; or San Antonio, TX.
• Students of all majors will be considered.
• Preference will be given to students whose essays express their interest in pursuing a career in the insurance and financial services industry as well as demonstrate leadership and participation in extra curricular activities.
• Must apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
For more information on how to apply or to obtain an application, visit www.hsf.net/massmutual.aspx.
About MassMutual

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company’s strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

TED Blog

2011-02-28T06:58:00.000-08:00

TED Blog

Arturo Noriega Presents The Cost of Starting Your Business

2011-02-22T17:30:00.001-08:00

When Arturo speaks, those who seek and follow success listen! Social Entrepreneur Arturo Noriega will be the speaker for Wednesday's session, February 23rd from 6-8PM.

at OHFLEC Oakland Entrepreneur Workshop In 2009, Arturo formed the Centro Community Partners, an entrepreneur and enterprise development program designed to enhance aspiring entrepreneurs with business knowledge, leadership development, and credit health. The program is aimed to coach and mentor individuals during the most critical time at the starting line.

Arturo brings more than 15 years of experience in strategic management consulting, investment management, economic research, economic development, financial management, and executive coaching from a variety of organizations including Ernst & Young, Deloitte & Touche and Barclays Global Investors, to his work with Centro. He earned an MBA in Strategic Management and Leadership from the Peter F. Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University and a BA in Economics & Finance from U.C. Berkeley. Since the partnership was established, four Operation HOPE Small Business Empowerment Program graduates have been accepted into CCP with one business launch and three in progress. His sincere dedication to micro enterprise as exemplified through his work at Centro Community Partners has only begun. Come to experience the business acumen that Arturo richly shares.

Arturo Noriega and Centro Community Partners is located in the old town district in partnership with Oakland Business Developmlent Corporation located 825 Washington, Oakland ,CA 94607. Contact number is 510 763-4297 website http://centrocommunitypartners.org/2.html

“MARKETING START-UPS, BEGIN WITH SAAVY"

2011-02-09T10:17:00.000-08:00

Entrepreneur Workshop Series February 9, 2011
Guest Presenter: Karen Auguste
Topics:
Basic Marketing Principles
Guerilla Marketing
Web Marketing

Karen L. Auguste has over 20 years of business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing communications experience. 12 years were spent in leadership roles in marketing communications working for Fortune 500 technology companies. The last eight years have been spent consulting with small businesses, non-profit organizations and minority associations to develop their advertising, public relations, graphic design, and event management programs. In addition, she teaches a series of marketing classes to entrepreneurs. With a certificate from San Jose State’s marketing communications program, a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems Management from the University of San Francisco, and an MBA from the University of San Francisco, she has acquired the experience and education in business and technology that combines contemporary marketing principles with current business best practices; all with an emphasis on creating an effective plan that delivers measurable results.

Purple Lynx
Karen Auguste, CEO
300 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite #254
Oakland, CA 94612
Office: (510) 251-8800
Contact: info@purplelynx.com
Visit: http://www.purplelynx.com

OperationHope.org - Principles of LOVE LEADERSHIP Ignite New Entrepreneurial Program for 2011

2011-01-30T11:44:00.000-08:00

Oakland, CA – January 18, 2011) – Financial literacy empowerment nonprofit, Operation HOPE kicked off its Entrepreneurial Training Program at the Oakland Financial Literacy Empowerment Center (HOPE Center) on January 12, 2011. Thirty-two people arrived to attend the kickoff session, which featured a newly revised curriculum.

The twelve-week Entrepreneurial Training Program is offered three-times a year and is free of charge to individuals from communities surrounding the City of Oakland. Since 2005, the program has graduated over 170 individuals and continues to provide technical assistance for post-graduates and clients in the areas of business lending, credit, marketing and planning. HOPE expects to educate over ninety individuals and help launch thirty new start-up businesses in 2011.

Program facilitators and guest presenters included industry professionals Karen Auguste CEO of Purple Lynx, Attorney William Taylor, Gregory Cantrell Managing Partner of Prospur 2000 Consulting and Ira Williams owner of Bullet Proof Tax. The program modules consist of marketing, legal entities, business finance, strategic planning and taxes.

The orientation ended on a high-note with participant and future business owner of Nehemiah International Prison Ministries, Ms. Valerie Mitchell, stating, “The class was excellent! I know I really need this. I am truly grateful to Operation HOPE and everything they have to offer.”

The Oakland HOPE Center is located in Oakland’s historic Fruitvale Shopping District, and is one of the organizations ten brick-and-mortar locations. Since its opening in 2005, the center has provided services to more than 400,000 low wealth residents in the East Bay and surrounding communities. In the last year, over 6,891 clients received services which include education, counseling, business loans and mortgage fundings, Cyber Café computer services and home loan modifications combined. For more information on the Entrepreneur training program and other HOPE programs, please call 510-535-6700 visit www.operationhope.org.

GD Cantrell, Author and Business Advisor Presents at Oakland HOPE Center

2011-01-25T13:00:00.001-08:00

Greg Cantrell, CEO, Managing partner of Prosur 2000 Business Consultants and author of the biography CAPTURE A DREAM, was the guest presenter on Wednesday January 26, 2011at Operation HOPE Financial Literacy Center Oakland located at Bank of the West Fruitvale Station Shopping Center providing excellent financial services to the lower Fruitvale community just South of Alameda and adjacent to Jingletown district. Greg Cantrell formed his company in 1989 out of a new business model for the management consulting industry. His core competencies include Business Planning
Best Practices; Creative Entrepreneurial Strategies; Sales Analysis and Implementation; Merger, Acquisition; Joint Venture Partner Negotiations & Execution; Process Re-engineering; Executive Coaching; Organizational Analysis and
Strategic Marketing Planning to name a few.

With experience in starting and turning around companies to increase profit and productivity, Greg opened the session the importances of listening to your customer and understanding their wants, needs and expectations. He asked each participant to give their elevator speeech on their business and explained how a good speech is just and introduction but a great speech is used to gain interest and to capture finance through sales, investments and funding.

Greg was a highly effective presenter who explained the importance of developing an executive statement as a two-page comprehensive overview of the entire business plan that must have a greater impact than a great elevator speech when read. It will either excite or bore the investor or funding officer who has viewed thousands. Greg asked the group, "How will you stand out?"

Two and a half hours later, motivated program participants flooded Mr. Cantrell with questions on how, when and where on various business start-ups. Mr. Cantrell is also available as a business coach and offers professional mentoring.

Free Tax Preparation for Schedule C

2011-01-25T09:16:00.000-08:00

Great opportunity to have your business taxes prepared FREE of charge!
Independent contractors
Self Employed
Small Business Owners

** Requirements based on expenses**
if self-employed your expenses are less than $5,000
if a small business owner, expenses can not exceed $25000

Workshops every other Monday at 5 PM Call (510) 287 - 5353
January 24
February 7
February 21
March 7
March 21
April 4

Small Business Training Sparks A Growth Trend In The Bay Area

2011-01-04T07:40:00.000-08:00

“The Small Business Entrepreneur Empowerment Program is one of the fastest growing small business programs offered free in the area,” says Sonja Brooks Program Manager at Operation HOPE Oakland. The Center is located inside of Bank of the West in the Fruitvale Station Shopping Center, one block south of the Fruitvale Bart Station, nestled in a cove south of the lower Fruitvale District adjacent to Jingletown and just north of Alameda. It is a rarely seen cooperative model that is unique to the HOPE, Inc. global non-profit family brand of services provided in Oakland HOPE and Los Angeles HOPE centers.

Entrepreneur training is a national growth trend in urban and rural communities. Due to the increase in job layoffs, unemployment rates compounded with slow business growth, small business programs are witnessing a flood of inquiries and increased enrollments for courses offered. Training programs offered in the greater bay have fees that range between $45 and $800; however, Operation HOPE is the only program offered in the Bay Area that is free of charge and the demand for enrollment is surging. The twelve-week training is ideal for start-ups with less than three years of experience and entrepreneur hopefuls who need guidance in shaping their business goals and fine tuning objectives.

The twelve-week training series includes topics critical to entrepreneurial success such as business planning, business feasibility, marketing and research, financials, credit, personal assessment and preparedness. Professional speakers who bring industry expertise and field experience in partnership with a HOPE instructor participate as presenter-trainers providing detailed examples to educate the student. Also in partnership with the Small Business Administration and SCORE, HOPE extends technical assistance and counseling offered to participants for further support in business endeavors. For the final week, participants are required to prepare a PowerPoint on their business for the graduation and give a five minute presentation before friends, family, colleagues and an esteemed guest. Each student is videotaped and later critiqued for training purposes.

The recent training and graduation was the first to be sponsored by Comerica Bank a HOPE community partner. Mr. Otis Watson, Assistant Vice President of Comerica Bank and Regional Northwestern HOPE Board member and Mrs. Paulette Hargrove Manager Comerica in Alameda both gave insightful advice to fall graduates of 2010. Ms. Lola Robinson SBA Executive, San Francisco District delivered the keynote to the graduates encouraging them to prepare to be vigilant in navigating the waters of starting a business in today’s economy. Each graduate received a unique gift bag complements of Comerica, in addition to special prizes for the top three presentations. Ms. Brooks commented, “We also very thankful that our December 2010 graduates were provided certificates of recognition for completion courtesy of honorable Congresswoman Barbara Lee, which served as an additional boost of esteem and encouragement for our grads.”

Ms. Brooks attributes the program growth to the HOPE training model and core values quoting John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE and author of Love Leadership, “Love is central to success in business…creating long term relationships with customers, employees and community based on caring and doing good – makes you wealthy.” Entrepreneur training is offered at all of the Operation HOPE Banking Network Centers including Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and in New York. For more information on workshops visit Operation HOPE

ENTREPRENEUR WORKSHOP NEW AND IMPROVED!
Jan 12, 2011 – Mar 30, 2011 (enrollment closed) Wednesday 6-8PM
 Week I` Jan 12 Orientation: Evaluation & Feasibility
 Week II Jan 19 Business Plan- Overview /Elevator Pitch
 Week III Jan 26 Legal Business Structures and entities
 Week IV Feb 2 Business Plan- Mission & Executive Statement
 Week V Feb 9 Marketing Research & Development
 Week VI Feb 16 Marketing R&D review
 Week VII Feb 23 Managing Your Cash/ Accounting
 Week VIII Mar 2 Financials
 Week VIIII Mar 9 Access To Capital/Insurance
 Week X Mar 16 Loan Programs Available
 Week XI Mar 23 Business Plan Review & Completion
 Week XII Mar 30 Presentations, Graduation, Networking & Celebration!

June 8, 2011 – August 18, 2011 Wednesday 6-8PM
 Week I Jun 8 Orientation: Evaluation & Feasibility
 Week II Jun 15 Business Plan- Overview /Elevator Pitch
 Week III Jun 22 Business Plan- Mission & Executive Statement
 Week IV Jun 29 Legal Business Structures & Entities
 Week V Jul 6 Marketing Research & Development
 Week VI Jul 13 Marketing R&D review
 Week VII Jul 20 Managing Your Cash/ Accounting
 Week VIII Jul 27 Financials
 Week VIIII Aug 4 Access To Capital/Insurance
 Week X Aug 10 Loan Programs Available
 Week XI Aug 17 Business Plan Review & Completion
 Week XII Aug 24 Presentations, Graduation, Networking

Sep 1, 2011 – December17, 2011 Wednesday 6-8PM
 Week I Sep 7 Orientation: Evaluation & Feasibility
 Week II Sep 14 Business Plan- Overview /Elevator Pitch
 Week III Sep 28 Legal Business Structures and entities
 Week IV Oct 5 Business Plan- Mission & Executive Statement
 Week V Oct 12 Marketing Research & Dev.
 Week VI Oct 19 Social Marketing  Week VII Oct 26 Business Insurance
 Week VIII Nov 2 Financial Basics Managing Your Cash
 Week VIIII Nov 9 Tax and Insurance
 Week X Nov 16 Loan Programs Available/ Access To Capital
 Week XI Nov 10 Business Plan Review & Completion
 Week XII Nov 30 Presentations, Graduation, Networking & Celebration!

A King and Leaders Speak at Oakland Economic Forum

2010-10-26T18:23:00.001-07:00

There was a phenomenal event that occurred in the East Bay last Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at the Oakland Marriott Convention Center. This event was important to professionals, laborers, the employed and non-employed, city and county workers, elected officials and corporate officers; and some of all were present. The event put on by Operation HOPE Inc, a global non-profit organization was the first time that several local and national leaders came together to discuss the impact of the economic crisis on local and underserved communities. The event was titled appropriately: HOPE Oakland Financial Literacy Empowerment Forum: The Rebirth of America/Post Economic Crisis with John Hope Bryant founder and CEO as chair and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums , who served in Congress from 1971-1998, as co-chair. Kelvin Boston, host of the PBS show Moneywise, advisor, writer and author of the bestselling book Smart Money Smart Moves for African Americans on PBS, and Who's Afraid to Be a Millionaire: Mastering Financial and Emotional Success was the master of ceremonies and moderator for the afternoon.
The stage was set for a panel of speakers that opened with recognition Mayor Dellums for strong leadership, commitment to public service and for his support of the Silver Rights Movement; he received the Chairman’s HOPE Award. Congresswoman Barbara Lee made an appearance receiving a standing ovation paused her campaigning efforts to make a brief appearance. But the most moving speech was the key note from Martin Luther King III, who spoke with great passion about his childhood and his reflection on the things his father stood for. He reminded us that Martin Luther King Jr. was not just a pioneer in Civil Rights, but that there were many pioneers for change before his father; before Rosa Parks. It just happened that on the day Mrs. Parks decided she was too tired to stand on that bus in Montgomery, Alabama would be the ignition to light the fight Civil Rights the mother of today’s Silver Rights Movement. He told us what he learned from his father and the people to came together to fight for the same cause, regardless to background, race, or economic status. The dream his father fought for forty years ago was realized not just because we have an African American President today, but because there are people who were willing to stand up for something they believe in and willing to die until everyone received the same rights of freedom and the pursuit of happiness that was written in our constitution. King reminded us that there was a time that the right to breathe was not the same as the right to vote and therefore, it is a responsibility for us to use that power and stand to make a difference. There were moments when he practically began to preach and his message moved people to tears.

Jim Clifton Chief Executive Officer of Gallup, Inc charged the audience to become economically responsible through education and awareness of what is happening with the future of our investments and not to rely on leaders to do it for us. He spoke about the importance of social responsibility and that it is up to the citizens to make the corporations accountable.
Michael Shepherd CEO and President and Paul Wible SEVP, National Finance Group Head of Bank of the West a diamond sponsor, spoke about the unique relationship of the bank and non-profit model with Operation Hope, Inc that is making a difference in supporting financial literacy and empowering individuals who are unbankable.
There were a total of eighteen speakers at the forum each whose messages were equally as significant. Other speakers included Julius Robinson EVP and Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Union Bank, event sponsor; Robert Mooney Deputy Director of the FDCI; Orson Aguillar Executive Director of the Greenlining Institution; Lola Robinson Assistant Deputy Director SBA, Carole M. Watson Chief Community Investment Officer United Way of the Bay Area; Regina Davis Chief Executive Officer San Francisco Housing Development Corporation; Karen Collins President and Chairman CoreLogic Foundation; Anthony Smith Superintendent - Oakland Unified School District; and Cathleen Cox Acting Director, Office of Planning and Research Governor's Office. Overall, it was powerful and awesome and a hopeful beginning for a new change.

Social Marketing Specialist Amos White Presenting

2010-09-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

Getting business from your social networks?
Want to learn to save time marketing online?
Come to a business presentation and learn how!
Social Media Marketing for Business
Presented by Amos White
Social Media Marketing Consultant
Business presentation
No laptops required.
Operation HOPE Banking Network
Wednesday, October 6th , 6 - 8pm
Operation Hope
3062 E. 9th Street, Oakland, CA
Seating is limited.
Amos White is a marketing professional
with 15 years experience consulting
businesses and professionals
in online marketing.
His presentation is for business
social network marketing, to increase
lead generation potential and to develop
more consumer relationships for increased
sales conversions.
Get the Latest Business Strategies!
• How to get business social networking
• Get better organized managing your time
• Learn about a business Facebook Page
• Learn to business metrics for success

January 2011 Entrepreneur Workshop Schedule

2010-08-23T09:57:00.001-07:00

Small Business Empowerment Center

FREE ENTREPRENEUR WORKSHOP

Jan 12, 2011 – Mar 30, 2011 Wednesday 6-8PM

Week I Jan 12 Orientation: Evaluation & Feasibility
Week II Jan 19 Business Plan- Overview /Elevator Pitch
Week III Jan 26 Legal Business Structures and entities
Week IV Feb 2 Business Plan- Mission & Executive Statement
Week V Feb 9 Marketing Research & Development
Week VI Feb 16 Marketing R&D review
Week VII Feb 23 Managing Your Cash/ Accounting
Week VIII Mar 2 Financials
Week VIIII Mar 9 Access To Capital/Insurance
Week X Mar 16 Loan Programs Available
Week XI Mar 23 Business Plan Review & Completion
Week XII Mar 30 Presentations, Graduation, Networking
Celebration!

*****

RSVP!

OPERATION HOPE

3062 E. 9TH STREET

Oakland, CA 94601

510 535-6700

2010-07-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

Need help:
getting a bank loan /writing a business plan /with sales & marketing/ buying a company or other business consulting questions?
or Call 510-208-0410
Visit www.acsbdc.org for more info on events and services!

This August in Oakland Small Business Development Corporation
Basic Bookkeeping Seminar Series

Basic Bookkeeping 1
Wednesday, August 4th
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Oakland City Hall
Hearing Room 4
1 Frank Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612
Fee: $30

Terms and Processes: Learn the difference between cash and accrual accounting, accounting data flow processes and how to get timely and accurate bookkeeping information. Topics include: cash vs. accrual accounting, budgeting, the purpose of different financial reports, computer accounting systems, and cash management.
Click HERE to register

Basic Bookkeeping 2
Wednesday, August 11th
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Oakland City Hall
Hearing Room 4
1 Frank Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612
Fee: $30

Small Business Financial Analysis: Learn how to analyze your balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows reports and use them to identify areas where you can increase your profits and business performance. Topics include industry ratios, budget variances, trends, and more. Participants should have completed Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that workshop.

Basic Bookkeeping 3
Wednesday, August 18th
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Oakland City Hall
Hearing Room 4
1 Frank Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612
Fee: $30

Small Business Cash Flow & Bank Financing Options: Learn how to find out where all your cash has gone and how to forecast how much cash you will have available each month. Topics include developing a budget, statement of cash flows analysis, developing a cash flow forecast, and the role of bank financing in cash flow management. Participants should have completed Basic Bookkeeping Part I or be familiar with the concepts covered in that workshop.

Introduction to QuickBooks
Wednesday, August 25th
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Oakland City Hall
Hearing Room 4
1 Frank Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612
Fee: $79
Accounting Software Overview, Bookkeeping Terms, Data Entry Techniques and Processes: This is a hands-on workshopwith laptops and sample data provided, introducing the useful and flexible QuickBooks accounting & bookkeeping application. This overview will discuss efficient processes for entering accounting data, how to get timely and accurate bookkeeping information, and more. We will demonstrate how to create invoices, receive customer payments, enter vendor bills and credit card statements, and produce financial reports.

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least 2 weeks in advance. Contact Sarah Dolph at 510.208.0410 to make arrangements.

Supporting Businesses and Keeping Doors Open

2010-07-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

OAKLAND, Ca., June 28, 2010, A new public-private early warning network is coming together, hosted by Oakland’s Private Industry Council (PIC), to provide support in these difficult economic times for businesses in trouble – before they have to close their doors and lay off all their workers.

“This is a time to act to make sure these businesses can remain viable and can keep people employed,” said Lowell Rice, PIC’s Business Services Manager, speaking at the kickoff meeting of the group this week.

For several years the PIC has convened a Rapid Response Team, which brings services and resources directly to employees and employers when companies are facing large layoffs, moving out of the area or going out of business. However, given the present climate, PIC believes that a more proactive approach is needed, seeking to locate and support businesses before they actually close.

“What are we going to do for a business that might help turn it around?” Rice asked business, labor and civic leaders at the meeting. The idea is to put together a range of resources and strategic support from local businesses, public agencies, officials and others that can provide timely, concrete help, he said.

Averting layoffs saves money, said Rice. Every job lost costs an estimated $25,000 and up to $50,000 to create a new job. But it only costs between $200 and $4,000 to save a job. “That’s quite a savings,” he said.

Participants in the early warning network include the Oakland Private Industry Council—Business Services and Rapid Response Divisions, Employment Development Department (EDD), Alameda County Small Business Development Center, City of Oakland Community Economic Development Agency—Business Development Services Division, Community Bank of the Bay, Alta Alliance Bank, Bank of Alameda, One California Bank, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Pacific Gas &Electric, Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Central Labor Council of Alameda County and the Office of Assembly Member Sandre Swanson. Other elected officials have expressed interest in participating.

CONTACT:

Lowell Rice
lrice@oaklandpic.org
510-768-4466

2010-04-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

Oakland Banking Center and SBA

Small Business Series
Presents
Survival 2010:
Business Beyond the Basics

Information critical to your business success in today’s challenging economic climate

Speakers and Topics:
• Mark Quinn, SBA SF District Director
• Oakland Business Assistance Center
• Oakland Chapters of SCORE and SBDC
• Learn critical factors in creating a sustainable business
• Get program updates, eligibility and more

Tuesday, May 11, 2010
5pm–7pm
3062 E. 9th Street, Oakland, CA
510 535-6700

Directions: (one block south of Fruitvale BART station at the Bank of the West in the Fruitvale Station Shopping Center at East 9th Street @ Fruitvale Avenue).

"Step over mess, not in it. We cannot be re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic," John Hope Bryant, Founder and Chairman of Operation HOPE and author of LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World.

Celebrating Spring Graduates

2010-04-30T16:49:00.000-07:00

On Thursday evening April 8, 2010, Operation HOPE graduated twelve micro businesses at the Oakland, HOPE Center inside Bank of the West from a twelve week program that focuses on training, education and small business preparation. It was a spirited celebration which began with a light mixer including a variety of delicious dishes and sweets courtesy graduates and Operation HOPE.
Attorney William Taylor of the Law Firm Taylor, Goins and Stallworth was the guest speaker for the evening. He gave an insightful speech to the guest and grads reminding them of the importance of planning now will dictate the design of the operations and its success or failure years later. Taylor also cautioned, “Remember, your reason for going into business is not to make friends,” he emphasized “if you need a friend, buy a dog.”
As the evening progressed, each graduate presented their business to the guest in three minutes and some ended the presentation with a short commercial. Some presenters were actually active in their business, while others are still in the planning phases. All were impressive and made a good effort in presenting. Bank of the West gave certificates for free business accounts, free visa debit card and free credit card for one year. Closing remarks were to be encouraged and to stay on path in challenging times.

Congratulations to all of the HOPE spring 2010 entrepreneur graduates:
CORNELIUS FLINTROY- FLINTS BBQ
MATTHEW FORD - 1ST CHOICE GLOBAL LOGISTICS
WILLIAM HARRIS – SUPREME SECURITY & PRO SVC
PHYLLIS HARRISON- DANTENEE’S ASSOCIATES
TAMMIE LEE-HEATH - TAMMIE’S STICHES N STUFF
KELLYE CRAIG-ROBERTSON- WOMEN CARE SRV.
NAI SAETERN – SOLREAL PRODUCTIONS
DONYA SAUNDERS- WINE BAR
TABARI SHAVERS- BY MY RING TONES
LASHAUM TOLIVER – GENERATION 2 GENERATION

2009-12-23T17:08:00.001-08:00

2010 ENTREPRENEUR CALENDAR IS HERE!

ENROLL NOW! OPERATION HOPE – OAKLAND 510 535-6700

Classes JANUARY – MAY Every Thursday at 6-8 PM

Week I Jan 21 Orientation: Evaluation & Feasibility
Week II Jan 26 Business Plan- Overview /Elevator Pitch
Week III Feb 4 Legal Business Structures and entities
Week IV Feb 11 Business Plan- Mission & Executive Statement
Week V Feb 18 Marketing Research & Development
Week VI Feb 25 Marketing R&D review
Week VII Mar 4 Managing Your Cash/ Accounting
Week VIII Mar 11 Financials
Week VIIII Mar 18 Access To Capital/Insurance
Week X Mar 25 Loan Programs Available
Week XI Apr 1 Business Plan Review & Completion
Week XII Apr 8 Presentations, Graduation, Networking
Celebration!

Classes Every Wednesday June – August at 6-8 PM

Week I Jun 2 Orientation: Evaluation & Feasibility
Week II Jun 9 Business Plan- Overview /Elevator Pitch
Week III Jun 16 Legal Business Structures and entities
Week IV Jun 23 Business Plan- Mission & Executive Statement
Week V Jun 30 Marketing Research & Development
Week VI Jul 7 Marketing R&D review
Week VII Jul 14 Managing Your Cash/ Accounting
Week VIII Jul 21 Financials
Week VIIII Jul 28 Access To Capital/Insurance
Week X Aug 4 Loan Programs Available
Week XI Aug 11 Business Plan Review & Completion
Week XII Aug 18 Presentations, Graduation, Networking
Celebration!

Classes Every Wednesday September – December at 6-8 PM

Week I Sep 1 Orientation: Evaluation & Feasibility
Week II Sep 8 Business Plan- Overview /Elevator Pitch
Week III Sep 15 Legal Business Structures and entities
Week IV Sep 22 Business Plan- Mission & Executive Statement
Week V Sep 29 Marketing Research & Development
Week VI Oct 6 Marketing R&D review
Week VII Oct 13 Managing Your Cash/ Accounting
Week VIII Oct 20 Financials
Week VIIII Oct 27 Access To Capital/Insurance
Week X Nov 3 Loan Programs Available
Week XI Nov10 Business Plan Review & Completion
Week XII Nov 17 Presentations, Graduation, Networking

Celebration!

Graduating Entrepreneurs Celebrate The Season

2009-12-22T14:39:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of the Christmas season inside the warm and festive holiday décor of Bank of the West, Operation HOPE graduated a group of twenty new entrepreneurs from the twelve-week Small Business Empowerment program on a rain-dampened winter evening in the East Bay.
On this evening, the group of attendees and supporters listened attentively while each participant gave an overview on their start-up business idea on the last day of class in December.

Participants spoke about their businesses: some with nervous anticipation while others spoke firm with confidence. Touching upon the highlights of their businesses they made compelling points “what gives them a competitive advantage and what is the unique selling proposition.”

Guests were greeted with smiling hostesses Lisa Harris, the mortgage counselor who decorated the food table which included a variety of special prepared dishes: shrimp and pasta, Middle-Eastern style prepared chicken made by the graduates and homemade baked cupcakes courtesy Emily Perris, Manager of HOPE program Banking On Our Future. Ryan Anderson, Wells Fargo Business Officer provided beverages and drink holders. Anna Haber, entrepreneur program graduate contributed Bird’s Nest Soup, a $100 meal in most Chinese Restaurants, which was also part of her presentation on her business Far East Imports.

Business Development Officer Sonja Brooks, who manages the small business technical assistant program, is also the instructor of the graduating group. As the moderator for the evening, she cordially introduced each member of the Oakland HOPE team then transitioned into a warm introduction for the honored key note speaker of the evening; Ms. Viek, CEO of the California Association of Micro Enterprise Opportunities also known as CAMEO. CAMEO is a network of 80 nonprofit groups serving 25,000 businesses in the past year in training, technical assistance and loans. Ms. Viek is an experienced entrepreneur with over twenty-five years of experience in microenterprise and community development. She served as President of the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center for fourteen years and also owned and operated her own consulting practice. The former board member and past president NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) San Francisco Bay Area chapter personally introduced herself to each individual graduate before giving her speech in which she emphasized the importance of gaining experience and mentorship from other business owners. In light of tough economic times, she encouraged optimism and preparation. “You cannot be too prepared when you are starting out. Take advantage of the supporting programs and counseling offered and be sure to make contacts with a business owner who can give you advice.”

Ms. Grady Nobles, an attendee gave an insightful testimony before the guest. “I have enjoyed the class tremendously. Ms. Brooks is wonderful. I learned so much; in fact I learned something from everyone in the class. This program is so important for our community and I am happy that something like this exists,” quoted Ms. Nobles.

The center was filled with warmth and support. “Although it may be raining out, we are so honored to have Ms. Viek take time to visit us and to speak to our class of entrepreneurs on this wet evening,” commented Ms. Brooks. “It is so important that people starting up businesses are made aware of the resources and hear from not only other entrepreneurs, but from someone who personally understands the importance of advocacy and support. We are pleased to be in partnership with CAMEO.” A special thanks noted to Bank of the West, a HOPE premier partner and Ms. Yolanda Stenmark, Manager who handed each graduate a certificate granting a one-year free business checking account. Tonight, there will be no raining on this parade!

LOVE LEADERSHIP #8 bestseller

2009-09-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information:
Tess Woods, 617-202-4129
tesswoods@newmancom.com

John Hope Bryant's LOVE LEADERSHIP ReachesBestseller List for First Month of Sales
debuts as #8 on the CEO-Read bestseller list for August 2009

LOS ANGELES - September 14, 2009 - John Hope Bryant, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, vice-chairman of the U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, and founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, shows how leading with love and respect creates success in business and in life in LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World (Jossey-Bass). Proceeds from sales of the book benefit the work of Operation HOPE, Inc.

His groundbreaking book makes the case that the best way to get ahead is to figure out what you have to give to a world seemingly obsessed with the question: What do I get? Aimed at a new generation of leaders and extremely relevant for today's economic climate, Love Leadership draws on his remarkable success story and on interviews with love-based leaders such as Former President Bill Clinton, Bill George, and Andrew Young. Bryant outlines the five laws of love-based leadership: Loss Creates Leaders (there can be no strength without legitimate suffering), Fear Fails (only respect and love leads to success), Love Makes Money (love is at the core of true wealth), Vulnerability is Power (when you open up to people they open up to you), and Giving is Getting (the more you offer to others, the more they will give back to you).

Love Leadership is a unique and powerful book that bridges the gap between solid business advice and pure inspiration. Bryant continues to spread the word that leading by fear is NOT the answer. He recently spoke at the World Economic Forum in Dalian, China and heads next week to Montreal. Stateside in September, Bryant will join Ambassador Andrew Young for a "Conversation on Leadership" in Atlanta as well as address the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC.

JOHN HOPE BRYANT is a philanthropic entrepreneur and leader in the business of empowerment. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, America's first nonprofit social investment banking organization. He is the vice chair of the U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy and chairman of the Under-Served Committee for the U.S. President's Council. An internationally respected public speaker, Bryant is a Young Global Leader for the World Economic Forum and has received many awards for his work to empower low-wealth communities.

Click to hear John Bryant discusses Love Leadership on Jossey Bass Podcast on Leadership. Book can be ordered through Operation Hope website at www.operationhope.org. All proceeds for books purchased through company website will benefit the work of Operation Hope.

SMALL BUSINESS: NAVIGATING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL LANDSCAPE

2009-09-16T12:46:00.000-07:00

CRISIS IN 2007
Small businesses in the East Bay Area from home-based to independently operated companies leasing offices or retail space are experiencing an increase need of technical support and for new finance. businesses that have three or more years of existence: 30% are start –ups with less than three years of operations.
The categories of small businesses that are greatly challenged are:
a. Child Care
b. Transportation
c. Minority Contractors ( Plumbing, Painters, Gardeners, General)
d. Business Services for Hire( Real Estate, Insurance, Travel, Medical Billing)
e. Restaurant and Food Vendors
f. Clothing and Retail

Areas of impact include sales and inventories, contracts, capital spending, profits and credit. For many businesses, sales and new contracts have dropped indirectly due to labor markets such as job layoffs experienced by their customers which reduced sales, services and order cutbacks. They are seeing their inventories decrease and are unable to order supplies timely. It is difficult to keep balance of inventory to sales ratios.

For this group of consumers and business owners, the recession began in late 2007-2008 and their emergency funds were either non-existent or depleted. They have less capital for spending, declining profits due to deep discounts by competition and limited access to credit partly due to the deterioration of the borrower’s credit worthiness and stricter requirements from lending sources to access credit.

Per California Small Business Survey, 78% of businesses are delaying purchases or other expenditures to control costs; 52% are delaying pay increases, and the same 52% are reducing either staffing or staffing hours.

Ways to Improve Access to Credit
Access to credit is needed to help these businesses to navigate the current economic environment through stabilization or growth acceleration, which can best be obtained through access to credit and resources.

1. New benchmarks have been made for businesses to obtain credit through the ARC Program (American Recovery Capital), which any SBA qualified lender is eligible to make loans. Under the program, a borrower may receive a $35,000 loan to use towards expansion, leasing, or to pay off business debts. http://www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/index.html

2. Increasing the owner’s debt-to-equity ration will make attracting financing easier for conventional and non-conventional lenders.

3. Micro lending through non-profits (Opportunity Fund, Oakland Business Development Corporation, TMC Working Solutions) are lending options for few businesses; however there are restrictions on the location of the business location and some restrictions on the credit scores and loan amounts. Some micro lenders that provide access to capital also provide technical assistance to support the borrower.

4. IDA (Independent Development Accounts) are offered through non-profits and some city programs. They are saver programs that assist new business and existing businesses to obtain financing through a grant matching program. These are limited to incomes and locations.

While identifying the needs of minority entrepreneurs and small businesses and quantifying the impact, there are still challenges that remain and reforms needed. Bankruptcy filings prevent borrowers from obtaining a business loan from 3-7 years after discharged. Although the picture is dim for business owners who must allow time to pass before qualifying for a new loan, the key to obtaining access to credit for business owners is to continue reducing debt, building equity in the business and improving personal FICO scores that will help them to qualify for smaller amounts of credit.

For more information on credit and on small businesses financing, contact Operation Hope at 510 535-6700.

THE SPIRIT OF HOPE IN TURBULENT TIMES

2009-09-03T18:35:00.000-07:00

August 26, 2009, Oakland, Ca - Any given night on network television or any cable news network reporters are commenting on the hardship across America and the current economic crisis that is gauged by the rate of unemployment and the number of mortgage foreclosures.
However, in Oakland there is a group of dedicated individuals who are looking to the bright side and who all made a commitment for twelve weeks this summer to attend a free entrepreneurship workshop that is offered through the Operation Hope Banking Network Center. Each individual participant that completes the workshop moves one step forward towards becoming a micro-enterprise, is playing a significant role in history.

"This has been a most encouraging experience for me and the group, what Ms. Brooks is doing is so important for the community," stated workshop participant Rev. Randy Rowden owner of Oxford Tailors. “By providing this platform of training and resources for a person to start or help an existing business has truly been a blessing for me and I know that all of the things that Operation Hope is doing has been blessing to everyone."

CEO of Wellington Strategic Resource Group and former President of Women's Council of Realtors East Bay, Victoria Williams-Turner was the key note speaker at the event. The speaker advised the group not to be discouraged by the state of the economy, rather to boldly face challenges the of today by taking innovative steps to remake industry as we know it will also reassure the existence of free enterprise in America. This is keeping the spirit of hope alive in turbulent times.

The event was held at the Operation Hope Center and co-sponsored by Bank of the West which also offered one year free business checking accounts to all graduates courtesey of Yolanda Stenmark, Manager at Bank of the West Fruitvale Shopping Center location.

Graduates:
ALLISON MAYS & SANDY BELL dba SOUPLINE CATERING
AWNICA BROWN dba FLIX PHOTOS (Photography)
BARRY WINFIELD dba WINFIELD WORKERS (Cleaning)
CARMEN MALIK (Youth Housing)
DIANE LEON (Nail and Spa)
ERICA BRUMFIELD (Special Needs Housing)
FELTON HARVEY dba HOUSE SITTERS (Private Security)
LADONNA MCTILLER (Food Vendor)
LINDA GRAVELY (Pet Services)
MICHAEL ARY dba G-RIDE (Transportation)
MONICA & REEMIE BOURGOIS (Entertainment)
QUINTARA NELSON (Youth Housing)
RANDY ROWDEN dba OXFORD WAY TAILORS (Clothing)

Victoria Williams Turner, Local Leader in the Bay

2009-08-30T14:26:00.000-07:00

On August 20, 2009, Oakland business and real estate professionals came out to say "Job Well Done" to one of it's finest leaders in the Women's Council of Realtors. Victoria Williams Turner has given years of service to the East Bay real estate community by serving as President to the East Bay Chapter prior to being appointed as the State of California, District Vice President. Prior to her retirement from the State appointed position, Victoria single handedly led the fight to save the East Bay Chapter from a relocated merger, stating that "the East Bay is a unique mix of real estate professionals that deserve to have their needs met on a localized agenda." She rallied the support of Past Presidents Feleciai Favroth and Denise Smith and ultimately succeeded in saving the chapter from extinction. Ms. Smith has now accepted the position of the East Bay Chapter's President Elect in efforts to ensure the viability of the chapter in 2010. Victoria indicated that with Denise Smith on the Governing Board, she feels that the chapter is now in good hands.

When asked what her future holds, Victoria responded that when individuals accept a management position in companies or associations, it makes them a manager. But, becoming a leader is much more difficult.. It involves setting the right goals, communicating ideas, and delivering results. A leader must be able to influence and inspire others to execute a plan. Seeing the need for leadership development within the business community, Victoria has launched a business called the Wellington Strategic Resource Group that will greatly impact this region's leadership competencies, no matter what the field of expertise. She will also continue to engage in real estate sales as a broker and support the 2010 Oakland Association of Realtors.

I think we will be hearing much more from Victoria Williams Turner as she continues to serve the community and help lead the vibrancy of our businesses and our region. Thank you Victoria for a job well done.

As a leader, Victoria is walking from one door with her head-up and shoulders srtong to enter into another. Victoria Williams Turner continues to tap into her W.O.W. (Wonderfully Outstanding Woman.

This article was contributed by Maria Barrett

BAY AREA MICRO ENTERPRISES ARE“JOB GENERATORS”

2009-07-30T12:09:00.001-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 20, 2009
CONTACTS: S.Brooks BDO, Operation Hope

July is California Micro Enterprise Month

Oakland– Operation Hope, a provider of micro enterprise loans and business assistance in Alameda County is calling attention throughout July to the impacts entrepreneurs and micro businesses have on creating jobs throughout California.

The California legislature declared July as Micro Enterprise month. Operation Hope and other members of the California Association for Microenterprise Opportunity (CAMEO) recently visited the Capitol in Sacramento to tell the Governor and legislators that despite the historic economic downturn, jobs are being created right now by micro business entrepreneurs.

“Starting a micro business has become an option of necessity for more Californians than ever before,” Sonja Brooks said. “Micro businesses have always been good job generators. But now millions of Californians who are un-employed or under-employed are choosing self employment to make ends meet instead of waiting for government and Wall Street to turn the economy around. And along with micro enterprise assistance, they are creating jobs too.”

Consider Kenya Anderson, a writer who worked for a popular technology company and was laid off in early 2008. After spending several months unable to secure gainful employ, she started her own consulting company as a portable writer providing document for small business to preparing human resource manuals and technical documents. There’s also Kathleen Divecchi dba Kat’s Accounting, who formerly had a government position in the accounting department. Both clients obtained a small business loan with the assistance of Operation Hope and are well into their second year of growing businesses.

Micro businesses – small businesses started for less than $35,000 with five or fewer employees – are the fastest growing sector of California’s economy, according to the California Senate Office of Research.

Earlier this year, the legislature demonstrated it understands micro businesses are essential to economic recovery when the legislature passed a $3,000 tax credit for small business owners to deduct each time they hire a full-time employee.

CAMEO and other micro enterprise advocates are also lobbying to allow the Workforce Investment Board to use federal stimulus funds for desperately needed small business training and technical assistance, and to create an Office of Micro Enterprise Development within the Business Transportation & Housing Department.

The office would spearhead legislative and administrative efforts to provide access to capital for micro loans and micro enterprise assistance.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.
Operation HOPE, Inc. (HOPE) is America's leading nonprofit social investment banking and financial literacy empowerment organization operating with more than 400 private sector partners, 1500 nonprofit and school partners, and 100 government partners, in 30 U.S. major markets and South Africa. Through its global initiatives and three principal programs, Banking on Our Future, HOPE Coalition America, and HOPE Centers, Operation HOPE has raised more than $400 million for its “silver rights” mission to make free enterprise and capitalism relevant to the underserved.

Spring 2009 HOPEfuls and Entrepreneurs

2009-07-26T02:39:00.000-07:00

Operation Hope Oakland Banking Network Center graduated its 11th class of Entrepreneurs last April 2009 at the Bank of the West location inside of the Fruitvale Station Shopping Center in the San Antonio district of Oakland.

All of the participants brought their A-game to the table at his graduation which would make any program manager proud. Students give their compelling overview of their business scheme and came prepared to present to a pool of potential investors.

Following the presentations, the participants received a certificate of completion and offered a year free business checking accounts courtesy Bank of the West. Guest speakers who participated as presenters were acknowledge for their volunteer service as a community partner and were handed certificates of recognition.

Notable mention to program participant Mrs. Yolanda Boyd provided beautiful table linen and decor courtesy of her event planning business for all occasions.

HOPE BCN GRADUATES OF APRIL 2009

Andrea Crawford - dba Essence of Beauty Salon, Oakland
Anthony Farmer - dba Chef Anthony, Oakland
April Prevost - home health care worker, Oakland
Sherry Dixon - dba Klip Appeal Salon, Oakland
Darius Dodd - electronic game center
Many Guyton - cosmetologist, Berkeley
Arsel Hopkins - music recording studio
Tonique Hopkins - event planning
Tina Sims – coin operated renewable energy laundry

Viva Latino Community Foundation!

2009-07-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

Since March 2005, the Latino Community Foundation of San Francisco plays host to the Latino Sabor, a gala spectacular celebration at the St. Francis Hotel highlighting the LCF Children and Youth Initiative grant which is awarded to local community-based organizations that support and provide services for the Latin communities of the Bay Area.

The foundation was created with a vision and a passion to promote philanthropy in Latino communities by investing in small to mid-size organizations with limited resources and growing capacity that support asset building, health, education and welfare for families.

LCF’s Latino Sabor is an event that also celebrates the partnership of other non-profits, foundations and corporations that share their vision and passion. Supporters of LCF include Walmart.com, Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation, Kellogg Foundation, and Bank of the West and US Bank Corp.

The event is well planned and hosted as much as it is well attended. Each year, several s Hispanic owned businesses including restaurants, caterers, wineries, art, and music and dance performance are featured participants in the gala and proudly supported. Viva LCF!!

List of Business Participants:

COCINA
Colibri Mexican Bistro
Destino Nuevo Latino Bistro
Paladar Cafe Cubano
Sabores del Sur
Sol Food Puerto Rican Cuisine
Tamarindo Antojeria Mexicana
Tocumbo Fresca
Zazil Coastal Mexican Cuisine

VINO Y BEBIDAS ESPIRITUOSAS
Alex Sotelo Cellars
Ceja Vineyards
Frias Family Vineyards
Mezcal by Nolasco Benesin
Pisco Punch by Guillermo Toro-Lira
Reynoso Vineyards
Robledo Family Winery
Veramonte Wines
Tequila by Randy Franco Distilled Wholesale Imports

East Bay Women's Council of Realtors, W.O.W.

2009-01-13T14:13:00.000-08:00

On December 18, 2008, Denise Wharton-Morris and Sonja Brooks were sworn in as President and President-Elect of the East Bay Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors. Denise is a commercial realtor for LOH Realty and Investments in Montclair. Denise served on the Event Planning Committee with WCR in 2008 and has been a member since 2007.

Sonja is a Business Development Consultant and Loan Officer. She manages the Small Business Program for Operation Hope in Oakland, CA providing Credit and Financial Counseling services, Homeownership and Business Training to local communities and she is also a member of St. Paul AME in Berkeley, CA.

Sonja Brooks has dutifully served the EBWCR organization in 2008 as an officer and Committee Chair Education and has been a member since January 2008. Sonja facilitated the monthly breakfast meetings by providing a host of inspiring speakers on informative topics, such as a panel presentation of reputable real estate developers and lenders during the height of the mortgage crisis. Sonja was responsible for arranging speakers like Arnold Perkins, Senior Advisor on Public Safety for Oakland City Mayor's Office and David Koziki Deputy Chief of Police who spoke on Crime and Safety issues affecting business owners and real estate professionals. Both women are Wonderfully Outstanind Women. W.O.W.!

WCR held the Inaguration at the scenic Pier 29 restaurant set in the marina just west of Crab Cove in Alameda. The event was attended by several realtor associates, WCR affiliates and the Operation Hope staff to support Ms. Brooks. For more information visit http://www.eastbaywcr.org.

ANEW AMERICA 9th ANNIVERSARY GALA

2008-11-17T11:22:00.000-08:00

AnewAmerica held it's yearly Micro Business Expo on Thursday, November 13th at the historical Scottish rite temple in Oakland representing the beautiful diverse and vibrant international communities of the Bay Area whose mission is to encourage full participation in the political, social and cultural growth of the new Americas as President and CEO Sylvia Rosales-Fike visioned in 1999 when the organization was founded.

This years theme ‘Growing Green Business’ was the focal point of the event in which An Pham, founder of Global Investment Financial and Trade Group was the honoree. The event is the outcome of several years of providing client services specific to new citizens, immigrants, and refugees, which includes asset building and income development accounts. The Bridge2Success program brings talented business professionals who are volunteers that assist in small business incubation, training, coaching and planning.

Terry Alderete, owner of Alderete Business Vision President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was the event planner and served as the mistress of ceremonies. The event featured products offered from nineteen microenterprises that included handmade indigenous products, arts, crafts, gourmet foods, desserts, and an open bar featuring tequila and local wineries.

The evening was festive with live music and cultural entertainment. There was spoken word by Nicole Klaymoon; songwriter and soloist Carlos Alejandro Godinez performed wonderful original tunes. The Yaocuauhtli Danza Cultura performed traditional Aztec ritual song and dance and the Tibetian Dance Troupe of musicians sang a soulful traditional opera tunes. Vendors displayed artful wares of jewelry; tables were set up around the grand ballroom

With over 250 guests, supporting sponsors included Union Bank of California and O.O. & L.E. Orrick Trust as the Leader sponsors; Cathay Bank, MK Gratitude Fund and Judith Anne Kaplan Fund as Visionary sponsors; Chevron and Citibank as Innovator; Wells Fargo and Comerica Bank as Achiever; the Friend sponsors were HSBC, Bank of the West, ABC Security Services, Inc. and Mechanics Bank. Other attendees included Oakland Business Development Corporation, the San Francisco SBA team, Opportunity Fund and several other supporting businesses and individuals.

AnewAmerica Corporation has locations serving Berkeley, Oakland and San Jose, CA.
To Volunteer for AnewAmerica, visit http://anewamerica.org or call (510) 540-7785.

Wonderfully Outstanding Women - Anna Cabral, WOW!

2008-09-09T13:15:00.000-07:00

Who Is Anna Cabral?
In April 2008, Anna Cabral, visited the San Francisco Bay Area to participate in a panel of esteemed members of the first created U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy who include Charles R. Schwab, philanthropist, chairman and CEO of the Charles Schwab Corporation, John Hope Bryant Vice Chairman; and U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson in Oakland at Operation Hope and at San Francisco City Hall for a town hall meeting.

You may ask, ‘who is Anna Cabral and why write about her?’Just pull a five spot from your wallet and take a look at the signature just left of O'l Abe. Now here's the buzz. Born in San Bernardino, California, Anna has degrees in Political Science from the University of California, Davis, a Masters of Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and is currently a law student at the George Mason University School of Law. She is the mother of four, and now serving as the 42nd Treasurer of the United States, a department which oversees the U.S. Savings and Bonds Department, the U.S. Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. In fact her signature must appear on Federal Reserve notes along with the Treasury Secretary (Henry Paulson) before they can become legal tender.

In June 2008 at the Global Summit for Women in Hanoi, Vietnam, Anna spoke to the convention attendees giving an address on the US, Asia and the Global economy, and aging, while acknowledging enterprise in developing regions due to the success of microcredit and microfinance. As a member of the USPACF, she is a champion of financial literacy as the key to improving the quality of life through continuous promotion of education and resources in English and Spanish such as http://www.mymoney.gov/.

It was not until 1949 when President Truman appointed the first woman in a prominent political position as U.S. Treasurer. Since that appointment only women have served subsequently and five, including Cabral have been Hispanic.

Once served as President and CEO of the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, a non-profit organization aimed to increase Hispanic representation in employment, procurement, philanthropy, and governance with Fortune 500 companies, Anna is a positive model for Latinos and all women. She is a trailblazer campaigning on financial literacy as the key to raising the standard of living for future generations. W.O.W! What a wonderfully outstanding woman!

ART OF START: Become An Olympian Of Small Business

2008-08-28T13:37:00.000-07:00

The average person who is striving to start up a small business in most urban areas face many of the same issues such as a lack of resources and information. While it is a fact that the success of small business is critical to local economies, limited resources and funding hinder the little guys from havinga good take-off out of the starting blocks. However the lack of resources never prevented a highly motivated and determined entrepreneur from achieving success. Somehow, driven and determined individuals seem to make it out of the starting blocks pick up a good stride, while trying to remain on track of gaining business success.

There is an art to the start. Before starting your business you must prepare your psyche; your mind, soul and body. It is like becoming an aspiring athlete who will need training, coaching, including research and some measure of education, which requires several months of training before achieving the peak of fitness required to enter the race. What is your passion? Passion is the measure of commitment. It is a dream that never goes away, sometimes it equates to nights of sleeplessness due to strong desires or excitement about the pursuit. At some point, the beginning entrepreneur must level her or his levels of commitment and priorities before deciding that it is time to begin pursuing their passion and make it into reality; this requires rearranging responsibiliites.

Prepare, prepare, prepare! Some training is advised and a lots of research. But first, begin with training your mind and body. Today, of the most heated discussions between small business advocates and politicians is the high cost of healthcare for small owner-operated businesses. Many start-ups companies operate in the first three years without a health plan. If this a foreseeable reality, then begin to make changes right away. The mose cost effective way is to prepare for fitness. Plan to have a health plan, but just incase; eat better, loose weight, stop smoking and begin an exercise routine or walk two to three miles three times a week. Get a routine check up now. There are enough uncontrollable surprises ahead that you may want eliminate the possibility of expected health related issues that may be avoidable. Clear out old baggage and eliminate the distractions that have been in the way. Sometimes the distraction is in fact- ourselves, and you know who you are. Time to let go and get over yourself. Today is the day. If there are no distractions then just commit two to three hours daily to gather and sort information on your area of interest and then use the last hour to rest quietly and relax. You should begin a quiet time routine or meditation now because it will be needed after starting a business. Working up to fifteen hours a day is not unusual for a new business.

While there can be many unforeseen headaches in the days ahead after the business is up and running, it is best to start a healthy routine early to remind yourself to relax and keep your blood pressure under control. Give focus to research the industry, seek success stories and find out who is conducting business in your local area and make a point to visit the proprietor. Who are your heroes in business? Find them. Read about them. Identify with them and what it took to become successful. My five “Ds” of success are Desire, Dedication, Determination, Diligence and Discipline. This is required to become the Usain Bolt Olympian of small business starts.

The American Dream: A Road to Debt and Uncertainty

2008-08-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

While in pursuit of the American dream you may find that the scales of prosperity grossly imbalanced with high debt and inflation. For one to proudly announce that buying a home is their life’s accomplishment and then later say ‘ what I really meant was that I live in a big and beautiful home which has a huge adjustable mortgage I can barely afford while living just one paycheck away from complete financial turmoil’ is a distance from the intended American Dream concept. Has the goal of the American Dream become a concept driven by obsession for power, wealth and levels of greed? Or, are we just innocent media-fed victims of a social culture where media and most forms of advertising emphasize that material wealth equates to power and happiness, which are also financed by government regulated banks and credit corporations who are the profitiers.

Energy prices are increasing along with oil and gas prices at a critical time when we are facing an upcoming presidential election. Topics aired nightly on news programs cover controversial commentaries about the presidential election between Obama and McCain; debates about war in Iraq with potential threats in Iran; debates on border security and immigration policies, and discussions surrounding the economy and mortgage crisis. Everyone is affected by the economy and the shrinking dollar worldwide; however, the major impact is on the low wealth to middle income households that is equivalent to Hurricane Katrina on the gulf.

While personal income reportedly grew in 2006 and then lowered in 2007, unemployment rates have increased sharply coinciding with the rise of foreclosures and slumping housing starts according to the Federal Reserve Board. Generations of old and young adults are in tremendous debt. The total amounts of debt for most Americans outweigh their personal savings and/or assets. In addition, many Americans can no longer afford to retire by the age of 65. While it is easy to blame our politicians and elected officials who continue to ride on the rhetoric of promises unfulfilled, but are we citizens to blame? Is it time for us, the citizens to be accountable for our failing economy? We are directly impacted by our actions and the actions of our officials, therefore greatly influence our local economies since we elect the officials who are empowered to make decisions that will ultimately affect our health, our finances and our wellbeing. How is it then, in our advanced nation of equality and unalienable rights; where capitalism can take a man from the penile system and afford him enormous wealth; in such a great country that receives thousands of immigrants yearly; a great nation that is globally known as the land of opportunity; how is it that we end up in financial crisis with thousands facing mortgage foreclosure? Certainly one can conclude that the government has failed its citizens but we have also failed ourselves.

In the early twentieth century America, many families lived and survived by a simple rule: work hard, save money and move ahead. In simpler times, money saved meant having a down payment to buy a home by the age of 26, raise a family, and later finance the children’s education through scholarships, savings or trust accounts; retire by the age of 65 with a sufficient social security income and still manage to have money left over for retirement vacations and family emergencies. These were the images painted by Rockefeller in a pre-Civil Rights and pre-Viet Nam era.

Post Civil Rights and Viet Nam era were defining moments in America for blacks, women, and other minorities. The 1960’s ended our innocence with the death of a president, a senator and a civil rights leader but also presented new opportunities as one believed with integration, equal rights and equal pay which was believed to improve the wellbeing for all Americans. Wages increased, several families became home owner whiles others moved into better neighborhoods. Most were just happy to buy a home. More African Americans and other minorities enrolled in colleges between 1960-1970’s becoming the first to graduate in their families. Americans began to make more and spend more. It was not uncommon to own big or high powered vehicles.

In the next two decades, technology connected government and big businesses globally while waves of immigrants poured in from Asian and Latin American countries. Numbers of students from African nations, Asia and Middle Eastern countries enrolled in higher academia. Drugs were the top illegal import into the U.S. as a billion-dollar industry; driving the undercurrents of business, politics, law enforcement and multi-levels of organized crime in major cities. drug-related crimes, weapons and street gangs committed to fast-track cash, bling and control have dominated neighborhoods with rising homicide of black and hispanic youths in major cities and have even reached small rural towns. The America we once knew has changed; and with change comes uncertainty.

American values and moral fiber compromised for profit. Economic supremacy is an institution exclusive for the privileged and upheld by the upper social hierarchy, however over time has become the dominant message in modern culture. Repeated by the media, and taught by institutions to celebrate the captains of industry and successful entrepreneurs not for their hard work and contributions, but rather for their power and wealth.

Never has a State Of The Union speech announced to citizens to ‘move over; there is a New America coming to crowd your cities; you will have to compete for everything. Move aside or get to the back; jump on the band wagon or be left behind. No special privileges, just credit and dollar power. You will be continuously and increasingly seduced and bombarded with messages of material wealth and desire; but you will not be given an instruction book on how to achieve it, how to finance your future or how-to-plan for tough economic times. Your communities will struggle over budgets, crime and safety while your communities battle over its changing identity and struggle to co-exist. Your mayors will squable over how to become sustainable cities, how to decrease homicide rates and employ more police officers with budget restraints. You will have language barriers; you willpay more and wait in longer lines; property values will decrease; banks will close; companies will go out of business and there will be lay-offs while other jobs will be outsourced to third-world countries with competitive labor and material resources. In short America, you can expect a recession.’

While opportunity opened doors in areas of education, employment and housing; corporate capitalist blew the roof off the building. Capitalist are usually big risk takers, but more often make strategic decisions based on in-depth planning, profit and risk management investments. The capitalists understand that with change comes opportunity. Rewards are great once identifying the risks and developing a strategy to limit losses, some of these strategies may also include social, political and economic positioning that will in the end continue to bring big profits that feed into the pockets of the capitalist. Those born into wealth like heirs of large trusts and the corporate captains; the average person such as the self-made individual or the entrepreneur can achieve the American Dream without going bankrupt.

What is the American Dream?
Unlike some of our American parents and grandparents of previous generations who may not have had basic finance education and who worked hard but lived modestly; they understood the importance of buying a piece of land, and using it to sustain and uphold family life. Many families moved away from southern states and small towns in exchange for urban life in pursuit of the American Dream just like many immigrants who came north in search of the same.

Today’s cities have become a more and more difficult place to achieve the American Dream.’ The American Dream once was the aspiration of the under privileged who could finally say, “I bought this home and the land around it. I and my family live happily in it.” There was less focus on material wealth, cars etc. A home was used to finance education, vacations and retirement. This is what smart and simple hardworking persons do to leverage investments and to uphold life and posterity for self and family and it did not take thirty years to do. Owning a home should be attainable for average low-moderate income Americans and should not take a person thirty years to own outright. The American Dream should be the goal of everyone who wants to own a home to own it free and clear in the shortest period of time rather that to reside in a place that requires one to struggle just to pay the mortgage monthly. For some, the American Dream meant to get all you can at any cost cheating or commit some other crime, but it is no longer a dream rather it has become a nightmare of servitude bound to the wrists of its citizens shackled by employment on the right wrist and enormous long-term debt on the left overshadowed with a lifetime of uncertainty. What is the American Dream? You decide.

Creating Generaltional Wealth

2008-08-18T09:57:00.000-07:00

Many individuals are uninformed, misinformed or unskilled on the basics of financial and money management. While it is true that a large percent of Americans own a basic financial portfolio consisting of saving accounts, retirement plans, mutual funds and real estate; however many more do not. Those who manage a basic investment portfolio may also have a very good credit history; yet, there remains a larger percent of Americans that represent millions of people between the ages of 22 and 55 who live at ground zero that do not have a basic savings account. They are concentrated in urban cities and surrounding areas with conviences of check cashing centers, fast foods, super marts and corner liquor stores. These groups of individuals are also in dire financial crisis with severe credit issues. Few households pay a monthly mortgage and many struggle to make the payments, however most are paying monthly rents. Many individuals do not have checking accounts and are also unaware about the value credit worthiness and lack debt management skills that every citizen should know about. Too many urbanites are simply surviving living pay check to pay check. Are we missing the true picture?

For generations, too many Americans have existed in the survival mode, but did we fail to learn a greater and more practical lesson: How to build generational and sustainable wealth?

Generational wealth building begins with information and strategic planning to break the cycles of ignorance plaguing previous generations. Every American from grade school to adulthood can benefit from basic financial literacy. Savvy parents have the impetus to begin educating their children early and continue throughout high school. By the time a child is ready for college, he or she will understand how to avoid the pit falls of debt. They should understand how to use a student loan to maximize the benefits and work toward their first investment in real estate or other securities.

Additional understanding of wealth building ideally can be integrated into curriculm to educate adults and children alike; such as financial programs in public schools offered through local banks or first-time home buyer programs offered through the city community based organizations.

It is imperative that first-time home buyer gain a thorough understanding about home ownership. Since the mortgage crisis, many lenders are requiring that first-time buyers complete a financial education seminar to minimize buyers obtaining the type of loans payments that borrowers will not be able to make in the future. Also, homeownership is the first and largest investment that can be leveraged into building a financial portfolio that can be used later to finance a child's college education or help to finance a new business or just provide comfort in later years.

Steps to begin with: Make sure your households to develop a financial organizing system to centralize all confidential information on paper and electronically. This information should be stored in three ways: 1. on a computer with a protected password; 2. On a USB drive for portability and 3. In a notebook. I suggest using the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) and Personal Disaster Preparedness Guide (PDPG) which can be downloaded for free at http://www.operationhope.org/.

As the leader or co-head of household, create a list a set of personal and business goals and objectives for your self and then with your household. Sit down with family-team members monthly and begin creating accountability systems to measure and review performances. It is essential to create and maintain a budget for the household. Minimize wastefulness and reduce spending on fast foods. Get your children involved with specific responsibilities. Once established, periodically review the budget with the family. This is a great teaching method and a good starting tool to begin developing financial awareness. Obtain credit reports for all household members and make a list totaling the amounts of assets and debts. Create a plan to reduce the debt emphasizing discipline.

Review credit frequently. Credit reports can be obtained for free at http://www.myfico.com/ and for a small fee; you can receive a FICO score. Write out a plan to eliminate debt in order of priority. Determine the cost of borrowing and rate of interest paid, then the size of the debt. Ideally the debt with the greater rate of interest is the first to focus on illuminating.

Capitalize on combining resources with family members. Open a team savings account along with an investment account that yields interest like a mutual fund for the family that pools a monthly contribution from each member. Speak to a financial counselor at a lending institution or a broker about obtaining bonds and making stock purchases. Your investments should be based on your availability of funds, the term of investment, and the rate of return. Once you purchase a home and begin a successful business, obtain life insurance policy and seek out a tax advisor and estate planner or software to create will and trusts. This is to protect assets and determine how remaining assets are distributed upon the termination of an individual and to prevent loss to state probate agencies. Obtain auto, house, and medical insurance and review your policies.

Be sure to protect your family from losses. Everyone should obtain financial literacy education through school or a community program. Check your schools and local community organization or contact Operation Hope 1-877-592-HOPE.