Small Business Concierge, Spring Issue 2022

Publication: Disclaimer

The views expressed in content distributed by Small Business Concierge Communications and Digital Media (SBCCDM), the SBC Magazine, are solely those of the respective Contributor(s) and not necessarily the views of SBCCDM. Articles from Contributors are provided mild editing for grammar, punctuation, and plagiarism checks; otherwise, articles are “AS IS,” with no assurances and bestow no rights. The articles and information published by SBCCDM in the SBC Magazine are for general information and should not, in any respect, be solely relied on as professional consulting advice. Contributors are professionals and leaders in their industry and provide their opinions on best practices. The SBCCDM does not make any claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of articles or linked to from content of articles, nor do SBCCDM take responsibility for any aspect of such content. Articles are author-based content and commentary. SBCCDM does not offer assurances or other guarantees regarding the quality of the opinions, commentary, or anything else appearing in the SBCCDM publications. SBCCDM expressly reserves the right to remove articles at its sole discretion in current or past publications.

Caltrans DBE Summit 2022

Improving Opportunities for DBEs

Tuesday, June 21, 2022 9:00 a . m . - 4:00 p . m . We are excited to invite you to th e C alifornia Department of Transportatio n ( Caltrans ) 2022 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Summit. This hybrid event will be held in Southern California, at SoFi Stadium and presented virtually via YouTube @ https://youtu.be/MnO trcJZ7QY . Caltrans, the California High - Speed Rail Authority (Authority) and Partnering Agencies will provide information to public works subcontractors, contractors, suppliers and consultants who are eligible to become or are currently certified as Disadv antaged Business Enterprises.

Editorial snug

FOUNDER AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Margaret A. JACKSON

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jesse L. Lee Proofreader Daniel R. Herd

ART & DESIGN DIRECTOR

CONTRIBUTING ART DESIGNERS ANIMATOR & ILLUSTRATOR Julio C. Pardo III Margaret A. Jackson Alvie C. J. Jackson

CONTRIBUTING SBC WRITERS

Numbiya Aziz, Sandy Bennett, Chris Horton, Mark Kenoly, Derick A. Jackson, Margaret A. Jackson, Jesse L. Lee, Meredith Walker, Warren Wettenstein, SBC In-House Team Writers

CONTRIBUTING SPECIAL GUEST Access SBDC, Silicon Valley (Excerpt) Milken Institute

COVERART Small Business Concierge Communications & Digital Media

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS & STOCK PHOTOS Ricardo Flamenco Digital Juice, Shutterstock, IStock Courtesy Images: Kenoly Music

SBC SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS Facebook, LinkedIN, Instagram & Twitter #MySBCMagazine

RELEVANT WEBSITES

AM 1220 KDOW iheartradio.com Business On the Edge.biz Small Business Concierge.biz

PUBLISHED BY Small Business Concierge Communications & Digital Media, Incorporation Spring Issue 2022 2022 © Copyright, All Rights Reserved

Small Business Science Lab

Science Lab: Exploration, Innovation, Creation, Big Ideas, Organization, Infrastructure, and more, you will find it in the Small Business Science Lab.

Addressing Institutional and Systemic Barriers to Black Entrepreneurship!

By: Chris Horton I Director Inclusivity Project SBDC I https://www.theinclusivityproject.com

Republished from the Milken Institute by permission

Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Black Entrepreneurs from the Ground Up!

Every entrepreneur needs supportive conditions to flourish. What is missing for the BLACK Entrepreneur is a network with fundamental aspirations to close the US Black - White wealth gap. A supportive infrastructure to start, grow, and expand operations toward the realization of the proverbial dream of business ownership.

It is my belief that when Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are minimized to mere buzz words, the job of nurturing Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive programs fall short post policy adoption. This is why more than 40% of Black-owned businesses closed during the pandemic, and why budding hopes were shattered for 400,000+ businesses nationwide, affecting MORE THAN ONE MILLION LIVES.

Equity cannot exist without a level-playing field for economic opportunity. Growth in the Black Business community means a better world for generations of Black children. The Black American challenge is psychological and cultural as much as it is economic. Around the world, we see wealth creation as a path that does well when building blocks are present.

To leverage the Black entrepreneurial spirit, 22nd Century Technical Assistance practitioners must aim to provide missing infrastructural support uniquely tailored to what the Black Entrepreneur faces when forming, building, and scaling their businesses. This is the catalyst for a pipeline of ideas to improve mobility of Black families, communities, and individuals. We must believe there is room for shared prosperity!

Creating innovative opportunities is the nucleus of any healthy culture. It breaks through the invisible, yet rigid, curtain of poverty.

Innovation generates prosperity for overlooked markets faster, and more reliably, than traditional diversity and equity models. yielded.

Take Charlotta Carter, a Black female business owner, whose family history led to a passion of helping people manage Diabetes, without incurring the associated excessive cost of daily insulin. You see Charlotta’s grandmother and aunt both died from complications of Diabetes, so she had to do something when she too was diagnosed.

Two and a half years ago, she launched LLENA(AI). However, it wasn’t until she learned to access much needed resources unbeknownst to her, like legal and financial consultation, mentoring, networking, and understanding business terminology that she elevated a solid short and long-term business plan so she could move her business forward.

She received financial support through fundraising resources to survive the challenges of the pandemic. And the best part was the creation of a commercial that Amazon ran in their spring launch of Alexa and Echo, with subsequent press releases onboarding Walmart so underserved customers could personalize their nutrition. LLENA(AI)’s technology helped a HBCU (Southern University) secure a $1.7M grant for food desert and food insecurity project.

These are all simple steps that can be taken for granted for the “privileged” business startup because information and resources are within reach, as a known entity. But for Charlotta, it was a game changer. This is why we love sharing her story because she could have taken the average 2-3 years, from inception to success.

I say again, there can be no real EQUITY without a level-playing field for economic opportunity. This is why a grassroots approach is paramount to advancing access to advisory services, business training, industry experts, networking, fundraising, debt & equity capital, mentorship, financial planning services, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools to assist those on the journey of mental health from the impacts of trauma and depression from this country’s inception.

At the core, Technical Assistance Practioners must employ a holistic perspective to build solutions for more tangible business outcomes. The public, private, and social sectors can implement interventions to evaluate current business ecosystems and rebuild them to be equitable and more supportive for Black business owners, but the efficacy of interventions to impact Black culture, and community well-being.

An integrated approach will support prosperous opportunities that result in quantifiable impact. Providing a healthier socio-economic ecosystem to not only impact Black Entrepreneurs, but all underserved BIPOC businesses and communities they serve to move the needle toward a hopeful Black society eager for their chance to share in the American Dream!

Superpower Your Leadership Abilities

By: Jesse L. Lee, Jr., PhD Candidate | Editor-in-Chief | https://smallbusinessconcierge.biz

Leadership is a vast topic with over ninetyfive subdivisions, ranging from aims and goals to vocational guidance and more. This article assumes you have transitioned from being a manager to being an organizational leader. We will focus on what it will take to ensure that you succeed as a leader.

Much information is available about being an effective leader, exploiting your leadership style, and enabling organizational ambidexterity to use agility to innovate and balance disruption and change. But let us assume you simply want to succeed. So, what do you do?

It is mandatory to have both a vision and mission statement. It is even better to have a strategy in place to achieve these essential goals. If you are conducting your vision and mission – you are successful. You can validate your existence as an organization

It is vital that you focus on the most important things you can as an executive.

and an organizational leader.

Next, it is vital that you focus on the most important things you can do as an executive. You ask, what is that? It is several things. First, peer-reviewed studies support the findings that financial risks are the root cause of many business failures. So, not accessing or using the funds essential for effective and efficient operations can cause severe financial distress.

Next, taking care of your customers (or beneficiaries if you run a non-profit) is critical. You ask, what does that look like? Consider the myriad of issues that emerge when it comes to keeping your customers happy. First, you remedy their pain using an effective and efficient process. Then, you fulfill your value proposition. Plus, you go on to provide a benefit to your customers or beneficiaries for choosing to collaborate with you (to keep them loyal).

Then never ignore your business processes and infrastructure. Herein lies an important tool that enables you to fulfill your value proposition. Keeping customers or beneficiaries happy is the bottom line. Doing so will satisfy your top and bottom-line goals. Consider how to improve your process by 25-to-33 percent. What would that look like? How much more profitable would your business be if it could save you a lot of money?

How about your team? As an organizational leader, it is always important to take care of the people who take care of your customers or beneficiaries. You should want to ensure that they are learning, growing, and having fun. You should want to ensure that their experience working with you is the best it can be for them; otherwise, they will look for something else that is more fulfilling.

Lastly, you have likely noticed that no mention of the financial perspective has been addressed. The finances are important, no doubt. So, staying abreast of your cash flow and the working capital situation is vital. Naturally, you need a plan when things get tight or seasonal changes affect your business. You will need a plan and resources to keep your doors open.

Meet Johnathan Makonnen UNFAZED, CEO

By : Margaret A. Jackson| Business Radio Coach | https://smallbusinessconcierge.biz

When life throws you lemons, it is time to make lemonade, which is what Jonathan Makonnen decided to do when he was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Jonathan recently joined me on my Silicon Valley/Bay Area show, Money 2.0 Business on the Edge, on AM 1220 KDOW Business and Finance talk radio. He spoke candidly about his path from beating cancer to entrepreneurship, becoming the founder of UNFAZED and the messager of his athleisure streetwear clothing brand.

Jonathan Makonnen’s definition of UNFAZED is, “Having a mindset that no matter what obstacles you encounter, you will achieve success or overcome adversity.”

For Makonnen, that is what he did and beat the diagnosis. As a black man in America and a former athlete, he wanted to be a face too young BIPOC people that look like him and to share how he overcame adversity. Now, Jonathan is determined to bring that message of overcoming adversity and obstacles to the young generation, the underrepresented youth, the college student, the high schooler, the junior higher, the athletes, and the list goes on and on. When his UNFAZED definition is embraced and practiced, he believes that the UNFAZED brand’s positive messaging changes mindsets.

The word is getting out there. Over 45 million mentions of the word “UNFAZED” has been used on TikTok and 31 thousand on Instagram.

David Johnson, running back of the Houston Texans, was snapped wearing the UNFAZED King of the Jungle t-shirt and posted on social media.

Stephen Jackson NBA, a close friend of George Flyod’s and considered his look-alike, was snapped wearing the UNFAZED definition t-shirt design. The CEO of the UNFAZED is a rising Silicon Valley/Bay Area star. To learn more about UNFAZED and to check out those snapped photos, go to https://officialunfazed.com.

IP SBDC Global Summit, June 17, 2022

Chris Horton, Director IP SBDC, Margaret Jackson, AM 1220 KDOW Business Radio Personality, Jonathan Makonnen, CEO Unfazed and Pitch Competition Competitor

California High - Speed Rail Authority Small Business Program

Working with PTAC

Thursday, June 23, 2022

10:00 a.m . - 12:00 p.m.

The California H igh - Speed Rail Authority Small Business Program along with Monterey Bay Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) will host a “Working with PTAC” virtual event on June 23, 2022 , 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m . Join us to discover the opportunities of doing business with High - Speed Rail L earn more about how the Monterey Bay PTAC can prepare you to position your company for success in contracting and procurement opportunities.

The Workshop will cover:

• Doing Business with High - Speed Rail

• Basic PTAC No Fee Services

• Government Registrations

• Certification Programs

• Finding Opportunities

• Bid Matching Services

• Bonding and Lines of Credit

NOTE : Please use the following link to register for this workshop:

Register: https://hsr - ca - gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqdeivqD8jHtPD4eb4_PHUG - n9Rcp7m4fF

For more information, about Monterey Bay PTAC. Please visit: http://www.montereybayptac.com

SEE MORE AT WWW.HSR.CA.GOV

California High-Speed Rail Authority 770 L Street, Suite 1160 Sacramento, CA 956814

Silicon Valley SNUG

Baby Back Ribs Brown Sugar, Cinnamon Spice, Apples, & Onions

By: Sandy Bennett I Sandy’s House I SBC Guest Chef

Baby Back Ribs is a soulful cuisine enjoyed by many cultures. In the African American community, it is a summer family favorite. Welcome to Sandy’s House, and here’s how you make my famous Baby Back Ribs with brown sugar, cinnamon spice, apples, and for a little bite, onions.

Ingredients

1 Rack of Baby Back Ribs 1 Lemon 1/4 Tsp. Liquid Smoke 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce 1 Tsp. Balsamic Vinger 1 Tbsp. Old Bay Seasoning* 1 Tbsp. Lemon pepper* 1 Tbsp. Garlic powder* 1 Tbsp. Garlic salt*

1 Tbsp. Knorr French Onion Soup Mix*

1 Tbsp. McCormick Grill Mate Montreal Steak Seasoning* 1 Tbsp. Paprika* 1 Tbsp. Fresh or Dried Parsley* 1 Tbsp. Chili Powder* 1 Tbsp. Adobo* 1 Tbsp. Chicken bouillon* 1 Tbsp. Brown Sugar* 1 Tbsp. Powdered Sugar* 2 Tbsp. Olive oil 4 Tbsp. Butter (put in the refrigerator until needed) Pinch of Sea Salt and Pepper

Apples and Onions 2-3 Granny Smith, thinly sliced (or use apples of your choice) ¼ Cup Lemon Juice 1 ½ Yellow Onions 1 Stick Butter 3 Tbsp. Brown Sugar 1 Tbsp. Apple Cinnamon Spice Blend 1 Tsp. Salted Caramel Syrup (optional)

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees

1. Combine and mix all the seasonings marked with an asterisk to create a seasoning blend, then set aside. Keep the leftover in a container to use in other dishes.

2. Turn the ribs over on the backside, and remove the membrane. Insert a knife under the skin to separate the membrane from the meat. Grab the membrane with your hand or paper towel and peel it off. After which, wash the meat thoroughly. Cut the lemon (remove the seeds) in half and rub it on both sides of the meat, then wash thoroughly again.

3. Line sheet pan with foil. Place the meat in the pan. Pour Worcestershire Sauce, Balsamic Vinegar, and Liquid Smoke over the meat and rub it in. Season the meat generously with the seasoning blend and rub it in. Drizzle the Olive Oil on top of the meat. Cover with foil, place in the oven, and bake for 3 to 3 ½ hours, or until ribs are almost falling off the bone.

4. Prepare the apples and onions topping. Chop the apples (peel if desired but not necessary) and onion into thin slices. Put apples in a separate bowl, add lemon juice, and soak until ready to use. Add butter to the saucepan, then add onions and apples. Begin the Sautee on mediumhigh heat then reduce to low heat. Cook until onions start to caramelize and occasionally stir to the desired softness of apples. Turn off or remove from the heat. You will top your ribs with this mixture later.

5. Remove the ribs from the oven when done, uncover, take the butter out of the refrigerator and place individual tbsps. across the top of the ribs. Increase oven heat to broil. Put the ribs back in the oven for 2-3 minutes. Remove the ribs from the oven, slice ribs, arrange them on a serving plate, and top with the apples, and onions mixture. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and pepper (optional). Serve and Bon Appétit!

Silicon Valley SNUG

The Future

By: Jesse Lee, Jr., PhD Candidate | Editor-in-Chief | https://smallbusinessconcierge.biz/

Thereis no better time to think about the future than now. With all the changes taking place in the world, it is important to step back from time-to-time to reflect and contemplate what it all means to your business. Already we see several things that have taken place over the pandemic and are trending into the future.

For instance, (1) the great resignation, (2) hybrid working environments, (3) a booming economy along with inflation that is affecting the cost of goods and services along with its permeating effect on wages, (4) increased use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and (5) healthcare can cause small business leader’s distress.

At the Small Business Concierge, we get it. We are aware that government regulations, income taxes, tax compliance, not staying passionate, or not diversifying your customer base can also cause trouble. Keeping your eye on these issues is

important, too, especially in this time of ambiguity and uncertainty.

Assuming you can focus on one thing that can help you become sustainable in the future, what would it be? I would suggest you think about using technology as much as possible. We realize you cannot automate everything, but if you could change your processes and operations to be less reliable on human-centered touchpoints, which could save time and money and increase efficiency and effectiveness.

There are many ways to succeed, much like there are many ways to get to New York City. No one way or the other is really any better. What will work best for you is in the eye of the beholder. The costs, the methods, the timeline, and the specifics are all open issues until you decide what is best for you.

“ There is no better time to think about the future than now.

Y/E 2.0 Young Entrepreneur

Young Entrepreneurs 2.0 are radical thinkers and bungee jumping risktakers. Dive in and support young entrepreneurship ventures.

Albert Wright: A Community Leader Helping Youth

See Themselves in the Semiconductor Industry

By: Lam Research | Employee Profile | Guest Article - Republished Winter 2022

Childhood

Albert Wright was born in Philadelphia in 1962, and raised in Gary, Indiana. As a kid, he was adventurous and curious. He used to climb out of his bedroom window, up the antenna on the side of his house to the roof, where he would watch the clouds in the sky and dream of becoming an astronaut.

In school, Albert was known as the class clown. “Being a class clown is a struggle, because when the teacher is instructing, you are focused on getting the attention of the students in the classroom,” Wright said. “I was able to perform in class and on tests, but rarely turned in my homework. I still have report cards from kindergarten that note, ‘Albert talks too much.’”

Early Career

In 1983, Albert enlisted in the United States Navy and became an Aviation Electronics Technician working on the flight station, navigation systems, security systems, and radars at the Lockheed P-3 Orion in Moffett Field, Calif, where NASA’s Ames Research Center shared the runways with the Navy.

“This was a pivotal time for me as a young airman. Stationed at hangar one, I saw all sorts of aircraft coming in and out of NASA. When I was working on the flight line, I would also regularly see these two men coming in and out of the hangar dressed in civilian clothes. Navy personnel like me were always dressed in uniform, so one day I asked a senior petty officer: ‘Who are these guys and what do they do?’”

The men were tech reps who worked for Motorola, Inc. If something were to go wrong with the radio installed in the flight station during beta testing, they would fix it.

“That’s when I knew what I wanted to be when I grow up. I later learned that they were what Lam Research and others in the industry refer to as field service engineers.”

Career in the Silicon Valley

After serving in the US Navy for four years, Albert decided to pursue a career in the technology industry in California’s Silicon Valley, where he ultimately served on an “extensive tour” with several tech companies.

“I think I worked for 14 tech companies. Each one increased my knowledge and my skillset in ultrahigh vacuum systems. It took 17 years before I finally became a field service engineer, servicing scanning electron microscopes (SEM) with Hitachi High-Tech America, Inc.”

“When I began with Hitachi, I didn’t know what a SEM was, but I fell in love with the job because it involved taking things apart and putting them back together, troubleshooting and visiting customer sites. The first day on the job, I had a revelation. I said to myself, ‘I’d love to teach youth

about the SEM.’ When I grew up in Gary, Indiana, I had no idea this type of technology existed.”

“The focus of my engineering technician master role at Lam Research is to service SEMs. These microscopes are multi-million-dollar pieces of equipment. Unlike an optical microscope, SEMs are massive in size - some can be the size of a refrigerator, stove, and kitchen table, combined.”

At Lam, Albert and the company’s engineering and technician teams utilize SEM and scanning transmission electron microscopes to examine small silicon wafer samples and determine whether they comply with the features needed by the company’s customers – the world’s leading chipmakers. This process demands a high degree of precision; the sample must remain steady so the image will be accurate and can be used as a measure of quality control.

“For me, the most fulfilling part of my job is the hands-on troubleshooting. And I enjoy working with the PhDs, engineers and technicians that operate Lam’s scanning electron microscopes. When I speak with my team, I ask them about their families, what they do during their time off, where they grew up – one of the best parts of my job are my coworkers and getting to hear their stories.”

Community Outreach

“The first time I heard about the 100 Black Men of Silicon Valley was in 2004 – they were awarding my daughter with the organization’s top scholarship. At the scholarship gala, I was impressed to see all these beautiful African Americans celebrating education. But it wasn’t until 2015, after I joined Lam Research, that a colleague approached me and asked me to consider becoming a member.”

At the first meeting Albert attended he was introduced to the organization’s mentorship program, which followed the principle of “CuBu: If I can see you, then I can be you.”

Albert was inspired to convey this concept to Lam Research and invite students of color from local middle and high schools to take a tour and connect with semiconductor engineering professionals who looked just like them.

Chip structures, such as 3D NAND, can have features a thousand times smaller than a grain of sand. These structures can be imaged using a scanning electron microscope. Image courtesy of the Lam Blog.

In 2016, Albert became a member of the 100 Black Men of Silicon Valley.

“At the time, they were seeking volunteers to restart their mentoring program and I volunteered. My schedule at Lam allowed me to have flexible hours, so I was able to go into local middle schools and mentor students there.”

That same year, Albert organized the first ‘CuBu technology tour’ at Lam, garnering support from his colleagues across the company.

“Afterwards, I gathered up my colleagues who had helped host the tour and asked them to form a club. The initial name was going to be ‘Lash Out’ – we were serious about teaching students about technology.”

The club eventually evolved into a Lam Research employee resource group known as C.L.A.S.S. (Community of Latinos and African Americans for Student Success) Outreach. Their mission is to encourage students in The African American and Latino communities to reach for higher standards of education and promote careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.

C.L.A.S.S. Outreach, whose motto is “Impact Through Exposure,” encourages student participants to explore a wide variety of STEM career paths – ultimately helping to unleash the infinite potential of African American and Latino communities.

“To see the looks on these kids’ faces when they’re exposed to technology is incredible.”

Video Caption: Lam’s Employee Resource Group, Community of Latinos & African Americans for Student Success (C.L.A.S.S.) Outreach program, hosted their 7th “CuBu Technology Tour.” The day was filled with tours, hands-on activities, and presentations to encourage local students to explore fields in science, technology, engineering and math.

Video Link: Lam Research – CuBu Technology Tour

To date, the C.L.A.S.S. Outreach program has hosted over 1,000 students from more than two dozen middle and high schools and launched 13 tours – including collaborations with leading tech companies including Cisco Systems, NASA Ames Research, Tesla and FB-Oculus. The organization also maintains community partnerships with 100 Black Men of Silicon Valley, Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, Firehouse Ministries and Jubilee Bridge Church.

Today, Albert continues to serve the 100 Black Men of Silicon Valley’s mentoring program as its chairman. In October 2021, he was appointed vice president of the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, responsible for digital marketing and encouraging black-owned small businesses to join the chamber, as well as vice president of the Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurial Development.

Albert also serves as a volunteer at US Tech, where he recruits students and veterans to join the organization, helping to develop the next generation of STEM leaders through technical training in 3D CAD modeling.

Image caption: Albert Wright during Lam Research’s CuBu Tour by the C.L.A.S.S. Outreach Program in 2019.

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How Can Small Business Development Centers Help You Grow Your Business?

By : Access SBDC formerly SV SBDC| Republished Winter 2020 Access SVSB Magazine (Excerpt pg.18)

If you are ready to start up or scale up a business in Silicon Valley, working with a certified SBDC business advisor can make a huge difference in the time and resources it takes to reach your goal. For more than 20 years SBDC has been the silent partner to thousands of successful new and growing companies in Santa Clara County and throughout the Bay Area. We’d love to help you grow your vision and work on pressing problems or opportunities like:

• Securing a business loan

• Compaliance issues with local, state and national laws, and regulations

• Scaling up to meet new demand

• Getting through the startup phase

• Increasing sales

HOW DO WE WORK?

After signing up for our free services, we provide a one-on-one confidential counseling session where we give you a truthful assessment of whether we can help you with your needs. Together we establish goals to work on and through additional meetings in-person, on the phone, over

coffee, or whatever meets your schedule, we work together to reach those goals. Our advisors will be on your side; they will be targeting the business goals you identified as most important. They are experts in their field and will be focused

“ Our advisors will be on your side; they will be targeting the business goals you identified as most important.

on making your company work better, faster, and with greater results.

The Access SBDC covers all of Santa Clara County. Our team is made up of about 50 people who are diversified in both background and experience. That diversity allows us to match you with an advisor who understands and addresses your particular business needs. SBDC business advisors can offer invidividual advising concering the formation, management, financing, and operations for your business. Advising is provided at no charge to be qualified business owners.

ACCESS TO BUSINESS CAPITAL: Getting to Yes.

We can provide you with advising, practical tools, and access to sources of capital to foster your business growth and success. We can help you prepare, review and present required documents if you are a small business owner, so that you can become

“bankable” and “lendable.”

The SBDC capital access program is specifically designed to address the financial needs of small businesses and entrepreneurs. For qualified clients, we can:

• Help you get the “yes” for your loan request whether purchasing real estate, equipment, or securing working capital to buy or finance a business;

• Guide you in preparing a loan package;

• Deepen your relationship with your bank or other lenders;

• Evaluate positive cash flow to service debt;

• Determine possible collateral sources; and

• Discuss alternative financing sources.

Read full article here.

S.T.E.A.M.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics

S.T.E.A.M: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematicsinnovating, and changing the world.

Preparation for Music Production Grammy Nominated Producer

By: Mark Kenoly | Producer, Song Writer, Musical Artist | http://www.kenolymusic.com

Alot can be said about music production, and truly only qualified people can bring you accurate information about it. With that in mind, let me first tell you what qualifies me to talk about this subject.

I am a 4-time Grammy Nominated record/music producer and a two-time Dove Award winner performer. I have written and played on some of the biggest hit songs in the music business, including hit movie soundtracks (Animal House starring John Belushi and Which Way Is Up starring Richard Pryor). Just one month ago, I had the number 4 hit song on the Apple Music UK charts, to name a few of my accomplishments.

The difference between creating music that hits and creating music for your personal pleasure is always your approach to production. Production is simply making creative decisions about your tracks that appeal to your market. Your market is

who you want to hear your music. If you create music just because you love to, your market is usually your friends and family. But if you’re going to reach the radio and media masses (internet, television, satellite radio, etc.), you will have to make more complex decisions. Sometimes these decisions may go against your creative convictions. But that’s okay.

Reaching the masses means you must compete against what’s already out there. Then you must listen to what your competitors are doing, both creatively and technically. Sometimes you hear a song on the radio and think it sounds awful, but you must accept that the artist found something that appeals to the listening audience and is a way to get his song in the market. That deserves some credit. Question, locate, and identify what they are doing.

N S P I R A T I O N A L M U S I C EVERYTHING I WANT

MARK KENOLY

Listen Now

Is it the effects? Is it the performance? Is it the mix? Is it the unique sounds? Is it the old-school sound? Is it the tempo of the music? Is it the vocal delivery? These are just a few of the elements that go into music production (there are many more).

If you don’t understand these principles, take some time to study to find out what these elements are. There is tremendous competition in the music industry, and not all music will impact the mass audience. You need to know what separates a hit song from something that does okay. There is an audience out there for you, but you must find it.

I was a record producer/artist/songwriter on the Whitfield Records label in Los Angeles when I was younger. We had tremendous competition for having a song placed on the label’s major artists. I was blessed enough to learn a massive amount of industry protocols for Kenoly Music Production, from one of the giants in the industry, Norman Whitfield. It was there where I first learned that there is no bad song, just songs that are not right for certain artists. Matching the correct song, production, performance, and energy is a unique skill worth taking the time to study. Find an experienced producer to help you understand your music production project and give your music the best chance possible.

Republished from SBC Winter 2022

Best IT Hiring Practices in a Remote World

By : Derick A. Jackson | SVP of Ops., Cameo Global | https//: cameoglobal.com

Since the beginning of the pandemic, information technology hiring managers have had to optimize the use of IT to enhance interviewing remote workers. Here are some best practices to help you optimize your IT hiring practices in a brave new remote world.

1. If you facilitate an online interview between a new hire candidate and other team members in your company, send the interview invitation to all parties two working days before the interview. At least one day before the interview, confirm in the IT tools you are using that all parties have accepted. If all have not accepted the interview invite, use your organization’s collaboration tool (Webex Teams, MS Teams) to confirm that the missing individual will participate in the interview.

2. Contact the candidate at least one day before reconfirming the participation in the interview.

3. If your candidate is unfamiliar with your collaboration IT tools (MS Teams, Webex, Zoom, etc.), it may be beneficial before the interview to set up a 15-minute call using those tools and assist the candidate in connecting to those tools. This pre-interview meeting with your candidate serves a secondary yet essential purpose. It also allows you to observe your candidate’s internet service reliability as the interview facilitator or hiring manager. It is vitally important if you (or your client) evaluate the candidate to work in a remote job where the home internet reliability is a factor in operations.

4. During your initial conversations with a candidate and on the interview meeting invitation, add additional details that you want the candidate to sign into the interview five minutes before starting the meeting from a quiet location. These five minutes will allow you and the candidate to resolve most connectivity issues before other participants join the call. Your client may view your organization more favorably if interview

candidates are always ready to go at the start time of the meeting. It could make the difference between your company winning or losing the business.

5. An essential aspect of interviewing remote candidates is evaluating skills using the tool used for the job. It is especially critical in IT-related fields. One appropriate to better evaluate candidate skills is to develop practical evaluation scenarios using the tool the selected candidate would use every day. Using an online “sandbox” version of the tool could complement the usual technical questions in an interview. For example, suppose your candidate is interviewing for tier 1 software support for an organization. In that case, you could bring up a “sandbox” view of the software’s admin console and evaluate your candidates’ familiarity with using the interview. Many of your favorite software products may have “sandbox” environments that can be accessed and used as a resource in the interview.

Overall, the pandemic and the increase in remote workers have changed how we evaluate talent and knowledge. Employing some of these techniques can help you enhance your interview and lead to the selection of better new IT hires.

“

An essential aspect of interviewing remote candidates is evaluating skills using the tool used for the job.

Women in Small Business

Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Provide a Budget to Your Event

By: Meredith Walker I Executive Event Consultant I https://posheventsandaffairs.com

Re

No matter how many questions are on a questionnaire, one question for sure is always there, and that question is “What is Your Budget?”

You would think I was asking for their date of birth, driver’s license number, social security number, what street did you grow up on, and so on. Seriously, it’s like pulling teeth for some clients and, honestly, quite frustrating for event planners.

Why might you ask? Remember, my job is to sell the dream, saving my client’s time and money. When a client is hesitant to share their actual budget, instead of responding with “I don’t know” or “I want it to be unique and fun,” I am immediately at a disadvantage that eventually costs my client more time and money.

As an Event Planner, I am selling my clients their dream. It does not matter if it’s a 21st birthday party, engagement party, wedding, baby shower, anniversary, or retirement celebration; it is my job to sell the dream and bring it to life while saving the client time and money.

Every Event Planner I know has an introductory questionnaire for their clients to complete. Five questions I include in my confidential questionnaire are:

1. What is your favorite color, and what does it say about you?

2. Imagine you have two weeks off and enough money to travel anywhere in the world. Where would you go?

3. What food or dish makes your mouth water just thinking about it?

4. What movie is so good; you recommend it to all your friends?

5. What is the one thing everybody thinks they know about you, but they, really, don’t know?

I have found this issue with clients spending $10,000 for a baby shower to $200,000 for a wedding. It is my opinion that if a client believes they need to guard themselves against sharing their actual budget with the person they have hired to create their one-of-akind event, then they have chosen the wrong event planner. The relationship that is forming must be from a place of trust.

Let me give you a couple of examples to help you understand my point.

I have a C-suite executive client who wanted to throw a retirement/anniversary party for her and her husband’s closest friends and family. She came to me and said, “I know nothing about planning an event. I want to be at a lovely venue, and our favorite color is blue. I want there to be dancing, good food and a fun time. My budget is $150,000”. It is a planner’s dream client. Specifically, on how much she was willing to spend. I am happy to report we stayed within her budget, and at the end of the night, she told me, “It was perfect.”

I have another C-suite client for who I have planned

several events. She has a beautiful home where she enjoys hosting events. Their property includes a pond, two guest cottages, and a vineyard. When she calls me with a new event, I have her complete the questionnaire, and she is very responsive until we get to the “What’s your budget?” question. She will say things like, “You know, I was thinking of a Tuscanthemed dinner party for 75 guests, with warm colors, traditional Italian dishes, excellent Chianti and great music. And whatever it takes to make it spectacular”.

That type of response will require more of my team’s time which is going to cost more money. My team and I will develop more than one design aesthetic summary to present to the client. It will require more calls to vendors, caterers, musicians, etc. One design with a budget of $40,000 or less and another design north of $40,000. Both will be presented to the client for her approval: but it’s more time and more money for the client. I am hired to eliminate the client from overspending on time and money.

So here are my three takeaways on the subject:

1. If you do not trust your event planner, you have the wrong event planner.

2. Change your mindset if you believe your event planner will make it their goal to spend every dime of your budget. Ask them questions about best spending practices using your budget. Your event planner can help set your mind at ease.

3. If you want to see where the money is spent, ask your event planner to provide you with a spreadsheet of the expenses throughout the planning stages.

A professional event planner never has anything to hide when it comes to the client’s money, and a client has the right to know how their money is being spent. Republished from SBC Winter 2022

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Market Study: Marketing to African Americans

By : Margaret A. Jackson, MBA|MBA Research Study | Market Study: Consumer Insights

Executive Summary

This paper explores and analyzes marketing to African Americans and outcomes and historical information that plays a role in considering marketing and advertising strategies. Marketing to African American people appears to be an ongoing challenge for marketers. It is not surprising since 86.1 percent of marketers are white managers and directors, relying on marketing data and consumer behaviors. They are hopeful of it, giving them a glimpse of how to market to the African Americans to develop loyal consumers. The overarching challenge is that white American marketers' blind-spot is not grasping how to genuinely understand black people, which creates brand loyalty and trust. Airbnb started by three white men disconnected from the realities of what would happen when posting a black face on their online platform, which led to easy discrimination. White privilege clouds the eyes of white America, and as a result, presumptions are made that inadvertently or overtly discriminate against black people.

Small Business Concierge Communications & Digital Media Corporation is owned and operated by an African American female that does not presume that African Americans will engage in business with the company because she is black. It is the opposite. The company’s CEO understands that winning black trust is a process and will take genuine engagement to earn African American consumer loyalty. The key findings included historical implications of the black experience in America, building relationships of trust, and black unity & storytelling. The market to attract African Americans with messaging that they identify with is ripe. The state of the culture, at this time, are black voices demanding to be heard and will not be silenced. 63% of blacks want to be an entrepreneur and pursue their passion. Marketing that message to the African American communities is an overwhelming market potential for the company. Business on the Edge is not marketing to the black business owner; it is marketing to the history and systemic plight of that black business owner. For example, the massacre and burning down of Black Wallstreet in 1921 by white Americans. Business on the Edge recognizes that supporting a black business means supporting a Black America’s Dream and not tolerating systemic racism. Marketing to African American business owners, entrepreneurs, and those pursuing their purpose boils down to “the mattering concept.” The mattering concept is a term coined specifically for this assessment’s executive summary. The African American people are not interested in being marketed to; they are interested in matter-ing. The word matter is defined by Oxford Lexico as “be of importance; have significance, (of a person) be important or influential” (Oxford Lexico, 2020). The most apparent recommendation to market to the African American minority group is to invest time and energy in what matters to them.

What matters to African Americans? Black history, the good, bad, and ugly matters, and they want the good of black heroes and sheroes celebrated, the bad of slavery acknowledged, and the ugly of systemic racism changed. Marketing this message will build trust and relationships with the African American community. Building unity through storytelling and respecting black men in places of honor as distinguished men rather than uneducated gang-banging monsters, criminals, and rapists and showcasing black women as strong, passionate women as educated professionals and leaders in the global community rather than portraying them as angry black women because they are passionate. Marketing to the African American minority group is beyond data and consumer behavior. It is about the connection between what matters to African Americans.

Business on the Edge, Inc selected the market segment African American businesses. The African American group is an attractive market to pursue because they are America's disadvantaged, relentlessly stereotyped by marketers. The group faces systemic racism and inequities every day. It is an opportunity to be a company that can come alongside them with mass media support, coupled with technical assistance, which may be the right mix to win them as loyal customers. Small Business Concierge Communications & Digital Media Corporation is led by an African American female who intimately understands the black plight and the yearning to pursue the God-given purpose despite a system that prefers to oppress Black America's potential for success. The market segment size of Black-owned businesses is more than two million business establishments in the United States

Market Size and Demographic: African American/Black Businesses Black-Owned Businesses in U.S. most recent –2007-2012 SBA Advocacy

Exhibit 3.1

An external coronavirus pandemic factor is a significant problem for black-owned businesses and their businesses’ survival. Black-owned businesses have been hit hard and severely impacted by the pandemic. Spending marketing dollars are not a high priority for black businesses since they are virtually nonexistent. The struggle to start and run a black-owned business is met with financial disparities and resources to thrive as a business. A pandemic adds to that struggle. “Preliminary data shows that African Americans have been disproportionately affected by infection and death rates from COVID-19 in the United States. Now, Black entrepreneurs say that the virus is killing their bottom lines, and the economic impact of the pandemic is pushing them out of business” (Newsone, 2020). “The Covid -19 economic shutdown has hurt African American businesses the most among racial and ethnic groups in U.S., with a 41% decline of black owners from February to April, a new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research shows. While the pandemic has hit entrepreneurs across the board, closing some 3.3 million small businesses at least temporarily, the sidelining of 440,000 African Americans was especially severe. Black owners may have fared worse because fewer of them operated in industries deemed “essential” during the pandemic, among other factors, according t o the NBER paper” (Bloomberg, 2020). The black marketplace is shrinking due to the coronavirus pandemic. Marketing to a community that struggles under normal circumstances will be hard -pressed and apprehensive about engaging in new products and services, especially marketing, advertising, and branding.

U.S. Census Bureau

124,004 41% -19.8% -17.6%

Exhibit 3.2

The final obstacle is to help solve black business challenges. The internal factor to market to this group is under research and development to solve black business challenges. The external factors weigh how to prepare to market to the African American business owner and internally designing a marketing model specific to underfunded African American businesses. This market segment group lacks supportive resources, access to capital, technical assistance, and business development tools to achieve sustainable business objectives. “It is important to note these funding gaps are not due to differential rates in Black firms applying for financing,” according to the report. “In fact, recent survey evidence indicates that Black-owned firms both employer and non-employer apply for financing at equal or higher rates than white-owned firms but are denied at higher rates.” (Baltimore Business Journal, 2020). The potential market size is large enough to pursue the market and possibly create a competitive advantage.

Market Potential Size (in millions)

African American Business Owners

Small Business Concierge

Membership $420.00 1-year total U.S. black business Market

Women in Business Membership $375.00 1-year

Men in Business Membership California Change in Business Ownership 28.6% of 3.7M

$840,000,000 $382,071,000 $698,184,480 $44,444,400

Exhibit 3.3

The African American external challenges and plights are not new to the world; how to market to a people that the greatest nation on the planet views as inferior and insignificant is the first challenge to overcome. Disparities are lurking on every turn, and the hope of starting and running a successful business has its own set of challenges for black America. The problem’s background does not begin with merely segmenting the market and then market to Black America. The problem begins with black America’s origins in this country and belief systems that drive their decision-making processes and choices. The slave mindset a thought that hinders progression within the black communities. Black American’s taking their rightful place in history, if acknowledged, is a game-changer for Black America.

The battle to overcome the persistent disparities and build, compete, equally, and equitably in American is to fight an inequitable system and demand change. Black business owners that overcome are the shoulders that other black-owned businesses can stand upon, learn from, and navigate to the American dream that was never intended for them to have or pursue. “But if business leaders can pool their resources, their resolve, and their clout, they can collectively turn their economic power into a force for equality and e set up to pursue, this moment calls for grander ambitions. What it requires is concerted action” (Forbes, 2020).

Literature Review

Marketing to minorities is a comprehension of consumer insight of cultures, values, influences, and acknowledging that they matter as consumers. Insensitive advertisement results from careless neglect to better understand the minority group that a company is attempting to attract as customers. “Marketing relies on consumer insights about cultural changes in order to discover new opportunities and abandon markets that have disappeared because of cultural changes. Marketing both influences and is influenced by culture by both promoting, reflecting, and reinforcing cultural values” (Schiffman, 2019p. 272). Marketing to minorities has had its flops over the years by marketing agencies. Here are a few ads that missed the mark.

Advertisements Implications

1. Mr. Clean “Mother’s Day”

2. Dove – “Before & After”

“ad from 2011 that the real work of a woman is cleaning the house”

“Dove completely missed the fact that they’re implying here that dark skin is dirty. This is an advertisement that shows discrimination, even if that wasn’t the message that Dove was trying to send. Unfortunately, the cosmetics brand made the same mistake again in 2017 with a commercial that showed an African American woman turning into a white one.”

3. Antonio Federici – “Submit to Temptation”

4. Renault – “The ‘N’ Word”

“Ice cream manufacturer Antonio Federici missed the mark when they mixed sexual and religious undertones in these inappropriate advertisements.”

“

In 2007, Renault thought that “the ‘N’ word” could mean “November.” It can’t. While the car company might not have meant anything insensitive, this particular phrase has a history that doesn’t lend itself to a double meaning. People were understandably outraged.”

5. Flora – “Uhh, Dad I’m Gay”

“This ad ran in South Africa and was meant to promote a brand of margarine called Flora. The message is that dads need a strong heart to deal with their son and daughter coming out. Members of the LGBTQ community were genuinely hurt by the offensive advertising campaigns.”

Exhibit 3.4 Quality Logo Products Blog, 12 Offensive Advertisements Your Business Can Learn From (Quality Logo Products Blog, 2020).

While it is essential to promote and advertise the company’s products to minority groups, it is equally important to be sensitive to what the message could inadvertently imply. Hollywood is notorious for insensitivities to diverse cultures. For example, the film Lone Ranger starring Johnny Depp, who plays Tonto, clearly an indigenous stereotype, and, by the way, indigenous people enjoyed the film. Marketing to minority groups prefers not to be offended by advertisements and expected to purchase the product.

Mitigating marketing whoops would mean adding diverse marketing profession als to the marketing and advertising team. Michael Jackson and Rhymefest wrote a song called Man in the Mirror. The song talks about making a change and starting with the man in the mirror.

“I’m starting with the man in the mirror

I’m asking him to change his ways

And no message could have been any clearer

If you want to make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself, and then make a change” (Man in the Mirror, 2008).

Marketing agencies must change their organizations that add diversity and inclusion in the workplace as marketing and advertising directors and managers grasp how to market to diverse groups of consumers. Moreover, they need hiring agencies to govern hiring minorities without bias. Otherwise, they may very well add water-down diversity rather than diverse populations free to be themselves in the workplace without discrimination.

Marketing to Minority and Diverse Segments

In an article, Maryville University addresses diversity and inclusion in modern advertising, stating, “Statistics show that America is becoming increasingly more diverse, as recent data reveals that growth among racial and ethnic minority populations outpaces that of Caucasians. It’s vital for modern marketers to know their audience, but they should also remember that diversity extends beyond race alone” (Maryville University, 2020). The article goes on to cite recent “a Newscred survey of U.S. Marketers found that more than 91% of U.S. marketers agree with the statement there is still room for growth in using more diverse images by marketers. It’s clear that most American companies have a diversity blindspot that may be impacting business growth potential” (Maryville University, 2020). 91% of marketers agree that using more diverse images is needed in marketing, but the change is slow. Why? An educated guess would infer that people who hold marketing roles are not from diverse backgrounds. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019, Marketing and sales managers 86.1% percent of them are white, 6.1% are Black or African American, 5.6% are Asian, and 8.9% are Hispanic or Latino. Whites hold advertising and promotions managers positions: 89.5%, 0.7% are Black or African American, 7.0% are Asian, and 9.0% are Hispanic or Latino. Marketing to minority groups when they are not represented in the corporations and agencies that are developing marketing campaigns will continue to lag and be challenged on how to best market to minority segments and groups.

Marketing approaches vary and a deeper dive on connecting with diverse groups is a theme from Small Business Trends on “Effective Marketing Approaches Vary for Minority Groups” (Small Business Trends, 2003). “Businesses should use differing media and approaches to reach targeted minority audiences in marketing efforts according to Forrester Research Inc.

Advertising-media technology and message-effectiveness trends continue to develop differently for different ethnic and racial groups. A mail survey of 54,817 U.S. households has identified key trends in technology adoption, media consumption, and receptiveness to marketing among Asians, Blacks, English-speaking Hispanics, and Whites.

‘Marketers should take note. Understanding the differences among each group is critical to developing effective marketing campaigns,” said Jed Kolko, principal analyst at Forrester. “Our survey results show that there is more to reaching minorities than understanding demographic differences. Income, for instance, does not necessarily determine what technology someone invests in and what influences them to purchase it ’” (Small Business Trends, 2003).

American marketing and advertising organizations must be intentional in their messaging to market to diverse subcultures and minority groups. It can no longer tolerate commercials that advertise McDonald commercials with Hispanics and Blacks as the employees. Volkswagen apologizes for racist ad "Volkswagen pulled and apologized Thursday for a racist advertis ement posted on its Instagram page that a company official called “an insult to every decent person.” The 10-second clip depicted a pair of oversize white hands dragging a Black man away from a new VW Golf 8 sedan and flicking him violently into a restaurant called “Petit Colon,” a name with overtones of colonization" (Boston Globe Media, 2020). The marketing landscape changed and marketing to minority groups is intentionally mindful with in-depth insight into groups and genuinely interested in understanding them and their cultures. Loyal customers invest in committed companies that are genuinely wanting to serve them and genuinely want to understand their culture.

Marketing to African American Business Owners

Small Business Trends published an article about Author Pepper Miller, about her book Black Still Matters in Marketing, and how she examines the past five-years and changes on how to market to Blacks. “The author of Black Still Matters in Marketing starts off the book by examining the changes in the past five years, and asks two questions: Is Black consumer behavior much different from Whites? Is it now time to stop labeling, and perhaps limiting ourselves with race? After acknowledging the many changes, she concludes: ‘Black still matters in marketing.’ And then she goes on to explain that the book is not about “targeting” blacks in marketing, but rather about offering solutions to help marketers understand African Americans and comfortably frame messages to Black America.” (Small Business Trends, 2013). This paper’s common theme has been the evidence of marketers, primarily white 86.1% are challenged on how to best market to African Americans and other minority groups from framing messages to the actors in the messaging. As stated earlier in this paper, minority groups want to be respected and want marketers to want to know and appreciate their culture. It is not just about the marketing data, potential revenue, but rather about connecting to African Americans and their deep culture. “Take Miller’s point about connection, using a scene from the movie The Break Up to illustrate the point about recognizing culture and the nuances that can come with it

‘There is a scene in the 2006 movie The Break Up starring Vince Vaughn as Gary and Jennifer Aniston as Brooke, where we see the couple arguing. Gary won’t help Brooke with the dishes following a dinner party in which Brooke did all of the work. After several selfish reasons and snarky comments as to why he shouldn’t do the dishes, Gary reluctantly gives in. But Brooke backs up and declines his help and tells him, ‘I want you to want to do the dishes.’ I love that line and totally get it! It’s the same with connecting with Black America. No group wants to force another group to appreciate their culture and who they are they simply want that group to

want to appreciate it. Just like Brooke in the movie, it is a matter of respect more than actually doing.’” (Small Business Trends, 2013).

African American Small Business Market Potential

The African American market need to be engaged by opportunities but are often overlooked as not a viable black business owner. “In 2016, 1% of venture capital dollars went to Black and Latinx founders and that number has not swayed much to date. VCs are missing out on a trilliondollar opportunity*. Considering minority businesses produced approximately US $700b revenue in 2019, supporting these underserved entrepreneurs is a must to enrich and strengthen our economy and our communities” (EY, 2020). The pandemic stay in place (SIP) order has shutdown, 450K black nonessential businesses, it is more urgent to serve and help revive black businesses. Marketing business saving resources is critical to the businesses and the black communities. “Without equitable access, the future of many Black and Latinx-owned businesses and millions of jobs hangs in the balance. If action isn't taken, the overall impact will be significant. These companies won't scale thus reducing their potential to employ others and to create wealth and prosperity for the founders and their communities” (EY, 2020).

2020 Trends for Black Entrepreneurs surveyed by Guidant Financial and Small Business rends Alliance found the motivations for blacks wanting to open a business. 34% of blacks want to be their own boss and 29% of their reason response was “wanted to pursue your passion” (Guidant Financial, (2020)”. The phrase “pursue your passion” is a marketing opportunity to black entrepreneurs. The top three reasons can all be met with creative marketing that would appeal to black entrepreneurs.

Motivation for Opening A Business

Exhibit 3.5 “Motivation For Opening A Business” (Guidant Financial, 2020)

63% of blacks want to be an entrepreneur and pursue their passion. Marketing that message to the African American communities is an overwhelming market potential for Business on the Edge.

Recommendations

Culture matters. The slave and divisive history of America continue to impact Black Americans. A blurred history proudly states that America was founded upon freedom and not oppression. First, America was not founded; it was taken from the indigenous people. For the sake of this argument, it will state what was founded. Freedom in America was founded for Whites, and slavery was founded and established for Africans who are today’s Black American nation. The origins of the African American culture and the contributions paid by blacks in history matter. It matters how messaging is marketed due to that history, to the African American group.

Recommendation #1 Acknowledge & Respect Black History

The first recommendation is to acknowledge black history and apply it to the messaging as a change agent to support black business owners’ advancement in competing in the marketplace. “President Trump is weighing in on history, blasting the New York Times Magazine’s 1619 Project, which reframes America’s history by focusing on the consequences of slavery and contributions of Black Americans, and at the same time announcing the creation of a new “1776 commission” to reinstate “patriotism” in American schools. At a White House history conference Thursday, he said that the Times had defiled the story of America. ‘The left has warped, distorted, and defiled the American story with deceptions, falsehoods, and lies. There is no better example than the New York Times’ totally discredited 1619 Project,” Mr. Trump said at the event. “This project rewrites American history to teach our children that we were founded on the principle of oppression, not freedom’” (CBS NEWS, 2020). Oppressing the realities and facts of history undermines the progression of Black Americans. “Some of America’s Founding Fathers, like George Washington, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson, were slave owners and whose properties depended on slave labor. Slavery was also enshrined in the Constitution with the three-fifths compromise, which said three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for the purpose of determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives” (CBS NEWS, 2020).

Black Division: Slave Fighting

It is important to mention a cultural stigma, lightly touching upon the divisiveness within the race. Slaves were not taught unity but division throughout slave history. The divisiveness of slavery, albeit challenging to reference, there is an underlining or rather a subconscious concern with the initial engagement of black-on-black commerce. The impact of slavery taught black people to distrust each other, as white slave owners pitted black slaves against each other. Although this may seem unrelated to black Americans’ marketing, one could argue that the divide and conquer mindset divides the black nation into 2020. “While slaves in the U.S. could be called upon to perform for their owners’ forms of entertainment, such as singing and dancing, male slaves also had the arduous task of fighting for the masters. Fights involving bare knuckles were arranged by the slave owners for their physically imposing slaves on the same farm to determine who was the strongest. Those who endure and beat the other enslaved are pitted against champions of the other plantations” (Face2Face Africa, 2019). The point is that black America’s belief system is met with caution when engaging with each other, and black business owners do not automatically open the door to doing business with another black just because they are black. Building trust is a more complicated experience and process. It cannot be glazed over if the company will engage and market to black business owners successfully.

Recommendation #2 Build Relationships of Trust

The second recommendation is to build relationships of trust. When marketing to Black American business owners, it will be imperative to gain Black America's trust, including trusting and purchasing from other Black business owners. However, once won, then they are more likely to become loyal customers. Black Americans prefer to buy an established brand and not any brand but top brands. "Generally, the consumption of African Americans consumers is a function of their social standing rather than ethnicity. Nevertheless, compared with all American consumers, African Americans consumers prefer leading brands, are brand loyal, and are unlikely to purchase private-label and generic products" (Schiffman, 2019p 298). Business on the Edge will have to overcome being a new private label when marketing to Black American business owners. The company must showcase the product as a top-of-the-line digital magazine, and black-owned businesses are appreciated and understood.

Recommendation #3 Black Unity & Storytelling

The third recommendation is to support black unity, cultural pride, and celebrating the black entrepreneurial heroes’ history that advanced America’s black race. The remembering of their names and their businesses. Bridget “Biddy” Masons born a slave 1818-1891, fought for her freedom in California after her Master moved from Texas to California. She won her freedom and her children’s freedom. She was a nurse, midwife and real estate investor; before her death in the 1800s, she built a wealth of over $300K in 2020, she would be worth $6,188,523.81. “Biddy Mason was a southern slave who become free after she moved with her masters to California. She built a career in Los Angeles as a nurse and a midwife, bought a piece of property, and used her business skills to become one of the wealthiest black women in the United States after the Civil War, as well as a notable philanthropist” (Browse Biography, 2011). The power of storytelling can inspire today’s black entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and become black business owners.

Business on the Edge will be the chief storytelling. The company is marketing a message of hope, black America’s American dream, carving out a new path for tomorrow’s history standing on black change agents’ shoulders. Madam C. J. Walker hair care products for black women, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., that had a dream, Jan Matzelinger innovator and manufacturing mogul, General Colin Powell, and many others that remind us that culture matters. The company will use an online platform design for easy access to media products and cultivate black market followers. In addition to marketing a message of building strong black entrepreneurs and encouraging the rebuilding of Black Wall Street in the top Designated Market Area (DMA) in the United States, New York, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco/Bay Area, and Los Angeles.

Rank

Market Name State Representing TV Homes 1 New York NY 7,100,300 representing 6.441% of U.S. 2 Los Angeles CA 10,826,600 representing 4.786% of U.S. 3 Chicago IL 7,738,00 representing 2.949% of U.S. 4 Philadelphia PA 5,981,900 representing 2.555 of U.S. 5 Dallas-Ft. Worth TX 4,838,600 representing 2.378 % of the U.S.

Summary

In conclusion, Business on the Edge is not marketing to the black business owner; it is marketing to the history and systemic plight of that black business owner. Business on the Edge recognizes that supporting a black business means supporting a Black America’s Dream and not tolerating systemic racism. The rebuilding of Black Wall Street, the broken educational system, the building of financial intelligence, innovation in science and technology, and the freedom to dream big with black and brown skin. The company is marketing to future change in America’s land that can be home of all minority groups without fear of oppressive and abusive attacks. Black-owned businesses competing healthy in the marketplace is an opportunity for non-blacks to engage in businesses that are an essential part of the fabric of who and what shapes America, which is diversity.

Building trust means watching out for unintended marketing pitfalls. “Airbnb's early design choices were aimed at facilitating a user's trust both in the platform and fellow use rs, but some of those choices had the unintended consequence of enabling discrimination. For example, when it launched in 2008, would-be guests' names and profile pictures were prominent on Airbnb requests that hosts saw prior to booking. This design was in contrast to existing platforms such as eBay, where images of products dominated pages and users remained anonymous. At the time, Chesky was quoted as saying: ‘Access is built on trust, and trust is built on transparency. When you remove anonymity, it brings out the best in people. We believe anonymity has no place in the future of Airbnb or the sharing economy.’ But as it turned out, putting users' photos front and center made discrimination easier, according to Luca's research” (Forbes, 2020). Business on the Edge must be mindful that the African American market segment is one of three minority and subculture groups it will market its products and services. Which means while building trust with marketing to African Americans, trust must extend to all potential customer groups.

Storytelling is a magnificently wonderful tool to use in marketing. “An art. Not a process, method, or technique. Storytelling is described as an art … the “art” of storytelling. And like art it requires creativity, vision, skill, and practice. Storytelling isn’t something you can grasp in one sitting, after one course. It’s a trial-and-error process of mastery. Sounds like a lot of work, right? It is, and rightfully so because storytelling has become a crucial component of the most successful marketing campaigns. It sets apart vibrant brands from simple businesses and loyal consumers from one-time, stop-in shoppers” (Hubspot, 2018).

Storytelling is an opportunity to take stories and connect them to the fabric of African American culture and black businesses. It is stories that make a nation proud like Chadwick Bosman, the Black Panther, and Wakanda Forever etched in the black nation’s hearts. The story of the Avenger that quietly fought a secret battle with cancer and lost. The internet is flooded with tshirts, sneakers, hoodies, jackets, blankets artwork of the black man King T’Challa of Wakanda, the Black Panther’s memory will live on in the hearts of the black nation.

The most powerful tool in the marketing and advertising arsenal for Business on the Edge is storytelling. The black nation stolen, captured, warred against by African tribes, and sold to a people that stripped them of their identity, pride, kingship, and queenship. Stories that restore African Americans to a place of dignity, respect, and ability to take their rightful place in America will develop confidence and trust in a company's products and services that share their story.

References

Browse Biography, (2011, January). Retrieved from Biddy Mason Biography Browse Biography, 2011 Cunningham, J., (2020, April). Retrieved from Will COVID-19 Be the Death Knell to Black Businesses? Newsone, Home Business, 2020 Dokosi, E., M., (2019, November). Retrieved from How enslaved Blacks beating each other to near-death was a great source of entertainment and cash for white plantation owners , Face2Face Africa, 2019

Ernst & Young, (2020). Retrieved from Entrepreneurs Access Network Ernst & Young Global Limited, 2020 Guidant Financial, (2020). Retrieved from 2020 Trends for Black Entrepreneurs Guidant Financial, 2020 HBS Working Knowledge, (2020 September) Retrieved from Racism And Digital Design: How Online Platforms Can Thwart Discrimination Forbes Magazine, Business Research, 2020 Jackson, M., Rhymefest (2008). Retrieved from Man in the Mirror Lyrics Metro Lyrics, 2020 Jordan, J., (2020, May). Retrieved from Annual Business Survey Release Provides Data on Minority and Women-Owned Businesses., United States Census Bureau, Release Number CB20-TPS.24, 2020 Karp, E., (2020, July). Retrieved from How Business Can Help Fight Systemic Racism Forbes Magazine, Manufacturing, 2020 Media Tracks, (2019). Retrieved from Nielsen DMA Rankings 2019 Media Tracks Communications, 2019 Mertes, A., (2020, August). Retrieved from 12 Offensive Advertisements Your Business Can Learn From Quality Logo Products Blog, Marketing & Branding, 2020 Office of Advocacy, (2012). Retrieved from Survey of business Owners Facts Black or African American Owned Businesses in the United States., United States Small Business Administration, Survey of Business Owners, U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 Oxford Lexico, (2020). Retrieved from Matter Oxford Lexico, 2020 Patterson, D., (2020 July). Retrieved from Effective Marketing Approaches Vary for Minority Groups., Small Business Trends, Marketing Tips 2020 Pickard-Whitehead, G., (2018, August). Retrieved from Wow! African American Small Business Ownership up 400% in a Year, Survey Reveals., Small Business Trends, 2018 Sasso, M., (2020, June). Retrieved from Black Business Owners’ Ranks Collapse by 41% in U.S. Lockdowns., Bloomberg Economics, 2020 Thangavelu, P., (2020, June)., Retrieved from The Top African American Owned Businesses in the U.S. ., Investopedia, Markets 2020 Schiffman, L., Wisenblit, J., (2019). Consumer Behavior (12th ed.). 11 Schiffman, L., Wisenblit, J., (2019). Consumer Behavior (12th ed.). 12 Watson, K., Segers, G., (2020, September). Retrieved from Trump blasts 1619 Project on role of Black Americans and proposes his own “1776 commission” ., CBS News, 2020 Wilen, H., (2020, August). Retrieved from New research continues to show Black businesses disproportionately impacted by Covid-19 Baltimore Business Journal, 2020

MASS MARKETING

Bridging the Gap

Concerned about how to bridge the gaps, politics, gender gap, race, culture, faith, disabilities, diversity, and age into your small business? We help bridge gaps.

LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurship

Stats, Facts, and Resources

By: Margaret A. Jackson I Business Radio Coach I https://smallbusinessconcierge.biz

Statistics and facts about the entrepreneurship contributions by the LGBTQ+ community. The America’s LGBT Economy Report, published by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) on February 4, 2022, reported the following,

1. The LGBT enterprises contribute $1.7T to the U.S. economy.

2. The 900 certified LGBT enterprises created 33,000 jobs in the United States

3. The average time in business is 12- years, with annual revenue of +$2M.

The LGBT entrepreneur is growing and building business by certifying as an LGBTBE company. It gives LGBT business owner’s access to corporate representatives and supplier diversity professionals. The NGLCC is the certification body for Certified LGBT Business Enterprises, recognized by over one-third of Fortune 500 companies. Corporations are seeking to increase their spending with the LGBT communities around the country. To learn more about LGBTBE Certification, go to https://nglcc.org/lgbtbe-certification.

There are many small business development resources to help the LGBTQ+ entrepreneur. The Small Business Administration (SBA) programs are a vast arsenal of small business

resources and support. The business development programs include, SCORE

Small Business Development Centers

Women-owned businesses

Veteran-owned businesses

LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Outreach Rural businesses

These organizations and SBA resources provide technical assistance, business training classes, and webinars, helping clients gain access to capital, marketing, business startup, and more. Multiple categories may fit your particular situation, and the SBA is an ideal resource to connect and explore all that it has to offer your small business. For more information about the SBA, go to https://www.sba.gov and start the exploration. The landscape for starting, growing and thriving as an LGBTQ business owner is at your fingertips. Explore the opportunities and resources that can ignite your next big business dream. Don’t go it alone. Build a network that is excited to help you build and grow the business of your dreams.

The Bottom Line

Financial intelligence the journey of how money works, amass, secure, invest, and handle it, is the bottom line.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance: What you don’t know will cost you!

By: Warren Wettenstein, MBA | Wettenstein Insurance & Financial |warren@calvantage.net

Workers’ Compensation (WC) Insurance Workers Compensation Insurance is the intermediary between employer and employee. It is no-fault insurance, so if an employee gets injured on the job, they no longer need to sue their employer to collect benefits and rehabilitation. WC resolves that issue. After an injury is reported, injured employees deal directly with the WC carrier and their dedicated network. WC rates vary depending on how employees are classified. Claims records, claims, payroll size, and locations are a few examples. Each carrier sets its rates but usually has rates approved by its State’s Department of Insurance. WC is not mandatory. In some states, officers with sufficient equity can voluntarily exclude themselves from coverage with a legal waiver. WC is generally voluntary for sole practitioners but available and particularly suggested for high-risk roles, i.e., machine shop owner that operates equipment. While some states like Texas do not require WC, it is still highly recommended to protect both employers and employees since injured workers can sue employers. Minimum premiums and wag-es may be automatically attributed to officers and owners, even if they do not receive that much compensation. States may offer specific waivers, so officer and owner compensation is not included in the firm’s WC coverage or WC premiums. In some states, there is only one sanctioned WC carrier; all businesses must use them exclusively.

Are they Employees or Independent Contractors?

Employees are on a firm’s payroll, receive benefits potentially including WC, and receive W-2. Independent contractors work autonomously, get no benefits, are responsible for their own worker’s comp, and receive 1099.

There has been a lot of attention regarding employers improperly classifying employees as independent contractors. That tactic may temporarily “save” employer costs for WC and employee benefits. Both large and small firms have been prosecuted and penalized for such violations. The IRS and each State have their regulations with severe consequences for misclassifying employees as independent contractors, even if unintentional. Some determining factors are, do they have:

1) Other Clients

2) Separately registered business name/entity

3) Independent business cards with their own phone, email, website

4) Their own computers/equipment

5) Ability to work their hours at their location

6) Requirement to pay self-employment taxes

7) To cover their own injuries (possibly with their own WC).

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/independent-contractor-selfemployed-or-employee

Ways to Reduce Workers’ Comp Premiums

Keep high safety standards to help minimize injuries and WC claims. Where appropriate, work with WC insurance companies for their on-site recommendations to help reduce risk or premium, possibly at no additional cost. Implementing carrier suggestions can help lower premiums. Each carrier has their own underwriting criteria and “risk appetite.” Some favor construction workers, some office workers, some impaired risks (high loss ratios), and some only hospitality workers. Each employee needs to be classified appropriately. A clerk that routinely spends time in the production area may no longer be classified as a clerk since they have higher exposure to risk than an officebound clerk. In certain businesses, everyone is classified at the same rate; for example, everyone in a chiropractic office may be the same rate, whether receptionist or doctor. The employer risks being canceled and owing carriers for what they should have been paying. Some agents and payroll processors only have access to one WC carrier, which is all they offer, even though other carriers might be better suited and priced. In some states, all WC carriers report their client information to a central WC database that may work closely with that state’s Department of Insurance to provide WC rate guidelines. Rates are higher for firms with high losses, coverage gaps, or incorrect information lying on applications. It is always best to let agents or brokers know the firm’s actual track record, so their WC situation can be clearly presented to carriers having an appetite for that type of risk. Unlike General Liability policies, where revenue is estimated and premiums priced accordingly with a refund for overpaying, WC premiums are based on actual payroll. If an estimated annual payroll is “off,” the WC carrier’s final payroll audit will indicate that. Carriers will then refund or bill for the actual versus estimated premium.

With PAYO (pay as you owe) billing, the WC premium is paid at each pay period so that seasonal firms will pay more during peak versus slow payroll seasons. Alternatively, annual estimated premiums can be spread out in a payment plan to help the firm’s spread cash flow. Final Annual Audits are conducted at the policy expiration. The total WC premium paid is reconciled with what the firm should have paid. Differences are either refunded or invoiced.

Loss Runs and Experience Mods

WC carriers keep careful track of what they pay out in claims and what they have reserved for claims that are not yet closed. When an employee’s case is not “closed,” carriers set aside an estimate of what that claim might eventually cost them. Employers are under strict fiduciary requirements to promptly complete injury forms and submit them to their carriers. If firms have had no claims, they are considered a “preferred” risk. If claims, they may become an “impaired” risk. Experience ratio affects their WC insurance underwriting and premium. When a firm client makes improvements and lowers their claim ratio, their premium will eventually be reduced, and more recent years carry more actuarial weight than older years. Sometimes carriers will “non-renew” due to high losses, which is legally permissible with advanced notice. Firms must then find other carriers that have an appetite for their risks. Firms can compel their past WC carriers to provide Loss Run Reports(LRR) to streamline shopping. Each LRR shows the carrier’s policy number, coverage period, payouts, and reserves for losses. Prospective WC carriers usually insist on LRRs going back several years to make their underwriting decisions. New ventures are generally rated as Standard since they have no track record. There are premium penalties for early WC cancellations by firms. It is best to plan- ahead and change carriers only at the expiration date. That can be arranged months in advance for a smooth transition without lapse.

Sometimes carriers want to extricate themselves from high risk, so they may waive early cancellation penalties to encourage firms to leave early. An informed agent can then help find and negotiate with the appropriate new WC carriers. Larger premiums are often adjusted due to the firm’s claims record, using “Experience Modifiers” based on losses or lack thereof. There can be surcharges or discounts. Some carriers only insure Preferred Risks while others focus on Impaired Risks. Rates may be intentionally higher for firms that do not fit the WC carrier’s appetite to encourage them to leave. Carriers can legally decline to quote a risk that does not match their appetite.

High Premium Categories and What to Do About It?

Some risks, including roofers, security, and asbestos removal workers, automatically fall into high premium categories as they experience more frequent and expensive injuries. Working with WC professionals can help mitigate risks if in that category. Ideally, firms try to minimize or eliminate WC claims, so their experience modifications favor preferred risks. At no extra charge and upon request, some carriers include safety experts that will visit the company sites to recommend physical or procedural ways to minimize risks. Once those are implemented, the carrier may lower their WC premium accordingly.

Should You Buy Workers’ Compensation(WC) Insurance From Your Payroll Service?

It is usually convenient to use your payroll processor since they know each payroll period and can update WC carriers for premium payments each pay period. Payroll processors may be legally required to provide that information to other WC carriers at each pay period when a Pay-As-YouOwe (PAYO) payment plan is selected and the company authorizes it. As with all contractual agreements, it is essential to read the Terms and Conditions small print. Some payroll processors add a fee per pay period that can add up. Some specifically shop only for one carrier, even if it is higher than others.

In some cases, account execs promise but neglect to set up the WC aspect after getting the payroll contract, and firms have been known to believe they had WC in place coming out of the payroll processing fees, but they were mistaken. Since WC was not a separate entity/bill decision, they did not realize the oversight. In those cases, if there were any claims, it would ultimately be the firm’s responsibility.

Workers’ Compensation is a Valid Business Expense and Protection

WC protects employers and employees by having the WC carrier as the remedial carrier. Whether required by law or prudence, it is essential coverage to have since all employees are always at some risk. Companies need to either have WC carriers assume that risk or, huge organizations, establish their legal entities to handle employee injuries and rehabilitation. For the lowest rates, provide the safest conditions for employees and implement any recommendations for WC professionals to help mitigate risk.

2022 Superpower Grants for Small Businesses

By: Margaret A. Jackson IBusiness Radio Coach IRepublished Winter 2022

Grants are competitive processes; they are not taken lightly or submitted carelessly. Do your research and provide a solid response. Use your business plan as a tool to respond to the grant opportunity. The business plan is an excellent ally to growing, developing, financing, and sustaining your business. Before you apply for the grant, read the entire grant before responding. Read the requirements to determine if you qualify to apply. If not, can it be remedied to qualify? If you are not eligible, quickly move on to the next grant opportunity. Don’t miss the submission deadlines. Enough said, don’t miss it. Finding grants is similar to a treasure hunt. You have to search and hunt on the Internet to locate them. Learn from grant submission experiences; they will guide you to new grant opportunities and strengthen your responses. The grant journey is exciting and held with much anticipation of winning. If you do the work and invest, you will win some and still do the work; you will lose some. It is not a numbers game. It is a process of elimina-

tion. Who will win the grant? The one that competes and wins against every other submission. Sometimes that will be you.

Here are some 2022 Superpower Grants,

1. The Amber Grant WomensNet founded the Amber Grant in 1998. It was established to honor the memory of Amber Wigdahl, who died at 19 years old. She had dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. The Amber Grant is a monthly grant competition awarding at least $30,000 to women entrepreneurs each month. It has expanded its grants to “Marketing Grants” and “Business Category Grants. At the end of the year, it awards two $25,000 grants. https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/%20get-an-amber-grant/

2. National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grant

NASE has awarded nearly $1,000,000 to small business members since 2006. The business development grant is worth up

to $4,000 and can be used for marketing, advertising, hiring, expansion, and many other business needs. https://www.nase. org /become-a-member/member-benefits/ business-resources/growth-grants

3. Grants.gov

Grants.gov is a database of federally sponsored grants open to small business owners. Remember to read, read, read to determine eligibility. Federal grants are challenging to navigate the submission process. Use the self-help tools and resources to maximize your experience. https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/ home.html

4. FedEx Small Business Grant Contest

FedEx has gained a stellar reputation as a solid small business supporter. FedEx is celebrating ten years of awarding grants to small businesses. FedEx will award three winners grand prizes of $50,000 with FedEx Office print services credit worth $4,000 and more. The seven first-place winners will receive $20,000, with additional FedEx Office print services credit worth $1,500 and more. The contest opens on February 10, 2022. https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-busi-

ness/grant-contest.html#/rules

5. Visa Everywhere Initiative Competition

It is a competitive grant targeted toward startups and fintech small businesses that are innovators of solving payment and commerce challenges. The awards range from $10,000 - $100,000. Awards will also go to regions around the globe, North America, CEMEA, LAC, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. https://usa.visa.com/ visa-everywhere/everywhere-initiative/initiative.html#Prizes_a72e

Come back for more 2022 Superpower grants for small businesses. We are going to keep on updating this page, just for you.

2022 Superpower Grants: We added more...

6. Hello Alice Funding

Hello Alice is a funding resource to get the money you need. Its funding center connects you with various types of capital to launch and grow your small business dream. It takes time to be awarded funding, so don’t get discouraged during the process. Good luck on your funding journey. Create an account at, https://helloalice.com/

7. SBA SBIR and STTR GRANT PROGRAM

Grant amount: $150,000 - $1M

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The SBIR and STTR is funding to research and development your products and services for global impact. “The mission of the SBIR/STTR programs is to support scientific excellence and technological innovation through the investment of Federal research funds in critical American priorities to build a strong national economy.”

“The program’s goals are to:

• Stimulate technological innovation.

• Meet Federal research and development needs.

• Foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by women and socially or economically disadvantaged persons.

• Increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development funding.

In addition, the STTR program aims to:

Foster technology transfer through cooperative R&D between small businesses and research institutions” (SBA, 2002). Learn more about America’s Seed Fund, https://www.sbir.gov/

DO IT! N'T QUI

Small

AAccounting

Eva Smith & Associates

Small Business Accounting/Bookkeeping/1-on-1 Support Eva Smith| EA Hayward, CA......................................510 889-8885 http://www.estaxservices.com/

Academic Success

Firehouse Community Development Center Firehouse Academic Program (4-Fs) Anita Rubio | Operations Manager San Jose, CA........................................408 327-9622 http://www.the-firehouse.org

Acupuncture & Pain Relief

Eternal Health & Wellness Acupuncture for Stress Relief Dr. Quli Zhou| Chinese Medicine Milpitas, CA........................................408 241-6638 http://www.myeternalhealth.com/

Addictions

Positive Progression Inc. Treatment Programs Designed to Meet Every Need Katy Mc Dowell | Executive Director San Jose, CA .....................................888 333-3963 http://www.positiveprogression.org

Advertising

Money 2.0 Business On The Edge/AM 1220 KDOW Advertise Strong/Brand Longevity/Grow Business Contact Us for a FREE On-Air 60 second pitch Team Edge |Advertising Strategist Bay Area, CA ....................................408 357-0951 http://www.businessontheedge.biz

Art Gallery

Machu Picchu Gallery of the Americas Mobile Art Gallery, Events, and Networking Olga Enciso Smith | Founder | Social Entrepreneur Bay Area, CA .......................................408 529-2296 N/A

Audio Production

JM Audio Services

Live Sound/Digital Audio Engineering/Consultation Jarel Martin | Audio Engineer & Owner Oakland, CA .......................................510 686-3021 http://www.jmaudioservices.com

Kenoly Music 4x grammy nominated music artist, inspirational, encourage, and hope Mark Kenoly | Audio Producer & Owner Santa, CA .............................................408 373-6975 https://www.kenolymusic.com

SAE Expression College / Audio Program Offers programs in Animation, Audio, Digital Film, Game Development, and Entertainment Business Admissions |Emeryville Campus Emeryville, CA .....................................510 654-2934 http://www.usa.sae.edu/campuses/emeryville

Automotive Services

Author Plan-18 Workbook containing legal documents for turning 18 Cheryl Nelson | Author & Speaker Bay Area, CA .....................................408 614-1628 N/A

DO Enterprises

Executive Level Mentality

Devin Oten | Author & Speaker Bay Area, CA .....................................504 319-6079 http://www.devinoten.com

Kari Kelley

Storytelling, Performing with a purpose, Overcoming childhood abuse Kari Kelley | Author, Speaker, Artist Bay Area, CA.............................408 373-7263 http://www.karilkelley.com/

Marcie Anderson

Book: Are We There Yet?: Enlightenment for Busy People

Marcie Anderson | PhD Author & Speaker

Mount Pleasant, SC.............................415 418-4358 https://amzn.to/3aMhBF6

Marilyn Randolph

Family Child Care Guide - Start a Child Care Business Marilyn Randolph | Author & Speaker Bay Area, CA .....................................408.389-8672 http://www.marilynrandolph.com

Beauty Hair Care Regrowth

Vanda Salon

Providing the optimal in hair loss treatment, replacement and paramedical camouflage Vanda McCauley | Master Stylist/Consultant San Jose, CA.......................................408 224-1224 http://www.vandasalon.net

Beauty Salon

Vanda Salon

Offers a superb range of luxurious services, creating amazing looks for a diverse clientele Vanda McCauley | Master Stylist/Consultant San Jose, CA.......................................408 224-1224 http://www.vandasalon.net

BB2B Network

Baby Shower Gifts

Babee Kakes

Uniquely customize diaper cakes for mother-to- be Rochelle Evans | Designer & Owner Oakland, CA .....................................415 941 2390

Banking Services

Be Your Own Boss

Arbonne

Financial Freedom/Flex Hours/Positive Attitude Beth Bigger | Independent Consultant Bay Area, CA ...................................831 915-7865 https://www.arbonne.com/discover/index.shtml

Beauty Hair Extensions

Vanda Salon

Featuring premium hair & skin care, cosmetics, and hair extension products

Vanda McCauley | Master Stylist/Consultant San Jose, CA.......................................408 224-1224 http://www.vandasalon.net

Blockchain Technology Sign On the Go

Signature, Blockchain-Secured e-documents,digital signature, electronically binding legal agreements Ray Sylvain| Chief Executive Officer Boca Raton, FL...................................703 260-7090 https://www.signonthego.us

Business Development Services

City of San Jose - Small Business Ally Permits/Licensing/Code Enforement/Business Classes Juan Borelli| Your Ally Coach San Jose, CA ......................................408 975-2655 http://www.sanjoseca.gov/businesscoach

CCampus Safety

Tip Now, Inc. Colleges, Universities, School’s Safety Anonymous Tips Cyril Rayan | CEO Santa Clara, CA ..............................877 395-5095 http://www.tipnow.com

Catering

Crazy Daisy’s Sweets and Treats

An On-line Bakery Serving the East Bay Jocelyn Twomey | Baker Extrodinaire Bay Area.............................................510 736-4979 http://www.crazydaisysweets.com

Child Care Provider

Step Up and Do Something

Community Child Care Provider Network & Training Rita Guess | Executive Director San Jose, CA .....................................408 772-8679 http://www.stepupanddosomething.org

College Students

BigZpoon

On the go students discounted Restaurant Meals Download our Mobile App. A Greener planet, one meal at a time

Sanjeev Ukhalkar, CEO |Cem Yildirim, COO Fremont, CA ....................................415 251-3333 https://www.bigzpoon.com

Colleges & Universities Bay Area

SAE Expression College Offers programs in Animation, Audio, Digital Film, Game Development, and Entertainment Business Admissions |Emeryville Campus Emeryville, CA .....................................510 654-2934 http://www.usa.sae.edu/campuses/emeryville

Community Investment

Step Up and Do Something

Honors Class Club 100 Academic Classes Rita Guess | Executive Director San Jose, CA .....................................408 772-8679 http://www.stepupanddosomething.org

Community Membership

Step Up and Do Something

Supporting Economic Community Growth

Rita Guess | Executive Director San Jose, CA .....................................408 772-8679 http://www.stepupanddosomething.org

Consultant Services

Marcie Anderson - Corporate Wellness Consultants Self Awareness, Belief Systems, Inner Healing,

Alignment, and Reset for Corporate Life Marcie Anderson | PhD Employee Coach Mount Pleasant, SC.............................415 418-4358 http://www.corporate-wellnessconsultants.com/

Mardin Amiri

16 years exp., in Smart & Affordable Office asneeded Workspace, Business Imaging Strategist Mardin Amiri | Consultant San Jose, CA .....................................408 210-2073 http://www.mardinamiri.com

Corporate Employee Therapy

Kingdom Family Resources

Restoring a healthy employee workplace Elizabeth Stewart | LMFT Bay Area, CA ......................................408 800-7821 http://www.kingdomfamilyresources.com

Corporate Events

Epic Venues Glass House & The Corinthian Grand Ballroom

Breaking business & corporate traditions with epic business event experiences

Laura Buell| Executive Assistant Bay Area, CA...Sales Call Request...408 606-8148 http://www.venuessanjose.com and https://www.corinthiangrandballroom.com

Posh Events & Affairs

We are into the details that make events unique Meredith Walker| Owner Hayward, CA.......................................510 815-5306 http://www.posheventsandaffairs.com

Corporate Safety

Tip Now, Inc.

Campus Safety Anonymous Tips - Safety App Cyril Rayan | CEO Santa Clara, CA ..............................877 395-5095 http://www.tipnow.com

Corporate Video Production

Corporate Wellness

Marcie Anderson - Corporate Wellness Consultants Women Emotional Safety, Mindful Meditation, and Workplace Synergy - Free Assessment Call Today! Marcie Anderson | PhD Employee Coach Mount Pleasant, SC.............................415 418-4358

http://www.corporate-wellnessconsultants.com/

CPR & First Aid Training

Deanna Martinez

CPR & First Aid Training for workplace emergencies

Deanna Martinez| Certified CPR AED Trainer Bay Area, CA.......................................408 769-0816 https://www.cprtrainedca.com

Customer Loyalty Incentives

Creative Marketing Incentives

Customer Loyalty Incentives

Shane Higgins| Principal Owner San Diego CA........................800 619-6101 ext. 317 https://www.creativemarketingincentives.biz

Creative Wellness

Be Provided

Creative Wellness & Conservation Marcia Sivek | Owner Bay Area, CA .....................................408 759-1863 http://www.beprovided.com

EEducation, Training, Workshops & Tutoring

Club Z of West San Jose

Compassionate, Advocate for Education, school tutoring, college prep tutoring, Educational Mentor Shirin Amiri |Educational Director San Jose, CA....................................408 600-2846 https://clubztutoring.com/west-san-jose/

Empowering You Now

The key to unlock your potential Carolyn Robinson |Founder Silicon Valley/Bay Area....................408-674-7892 www.empoweringyounow.com

USTEC Education Center

Computer-Aided Design Training for Underrepresented Inner-City Blacks & Hispanics Stephen Samuel |Founder & Visionary Silicon Valley/Bay Area....................408-997-6323

Education Entertainment

DDigital Artist

Alvie Jackson, Digital Artist Independent Contractor Animator Bringing Your Business to Life! Alvie Jackson | Animator |Mentored by Pixar San Jose, CA ...................................408 834-3964 http://www.alviejackson.com

SAE Expression College / Digital Art & Film Program Offers programs in Animation, Audio, Digital Film, Game Development, and Entertainment Business Admissions |Emeryville Campus Emeryville, CA .....................................510 654-2934 http://www.usa.sae.edu/campuses/emeryville

OuttheBox Ent. Premiere Events, Bay Area, Live Music, All Occasions Clay Bandy |Premiere Promoter Silicon Valley, CA...............................408 963-8500 www.venuesanjose.com

Entertainment

Kari Kelley

Compelling theatre play on results and impact of child abuse Kari Kelley|Theatre Actress, Playwright, Author Silicon Valley, CA...............................408 373-7263 www.karilkelley.com

Sheila Barnett Band

Musical Health & Wellness Sheila Barnett-Zacca |Owner & Performer Oakland, CA.......................................510 734-5697 N/A

SAE Expression College / Entertainment Program

Offers programs in Animation, Audio, Digital Film, Game Development, and Entertainment Business Admissions |Emeryville Campus Emeryville, CA .................................510 654-2934 http://www.usa.sae.edu/campuses/emeryville

Event Planners

Epic Venues Glass House & The Corinthian Grand Ballroom

Event planner’s paradise, producing, designing, creative, out-of-box epic events

Clay Bandy| Premiere Promoter Bay Area, CA...Sales Call Request...408 963-8500 http://www.venuessanjose.com and https://www.corinthiangrandballroom.com

Event Planning

Posh Events & Affairs

A Full Service Event Planning Company Meredith Walker| Owner Hayward, CA...................................510 815-5306 http://www.posheventsandaffairs.com

E-Signature Platform (SaaS)

Sign On the Go Signature, Blockchain-Secured e-documents,digital signature, electronically binding legal agreements Ray Sylvain| Chief Executive Officer Boca Raton, FL...................................703-864-9285 https://www.signonthego.us

Event Venue

Epic Venues Glass House & The Corinthian Grand Ballroom

Incredibly unique private event venues

Laura Buell| Executive Assistant Bay Area, CA...Sales Call Request...408 606-8148 http://www.venuessanjose.com and https://www.corinthiangrandballroom.com

Family Camp & Activities

Kingdom Family Resources

Rebuilding families through family camp activities Elizabeth Stewart | MA, LMF Bay Area, CA ...................................408 800-7821 http://www.kingdomfamilyresources.com

Family Therapy

Kingdom Family Resources

Restore a heart, restore a family, transform lives for a life time. Elizabeth Stewart | MA, LMF Bay Area, CA ...................................408 800-7821 http://www.kingdomfamilyresources.com

Financial Services

TransAmerican Financial Advisors

Financial Advising Bradley Hamada | Financial Trainer Bay Area, CA ...................................408 712-2107 N/A

GGlobal Food Network

BigZpoon

A profitable and Eco-friendly way to reduce restaurant food waste. Local, National, International Restaurants Rescue Your Food. Sanjeev Ukhalkar, CEO |Cem Yildirim, COO Fremont, CA ....................................415 251-3333 https://www.bigzpoon.com

Graphic Design

Hoolio Hoops Graphic Design

SBC Magazine Designer - Freelance Designer for small businesses

Julio Pardo | Chief Designer & Creative United States....................................408 857-4388 N/A

Government Procurement

California Department of Corrections

Getting Certified as a Small Business (SB/DVBE) Statewide|Advocacy |Outreach

Sacramento Capital, CA ..................916 255-3029 http://www.cdcr.ca.gov

California Department of General Services

Getting Certified as a Small Business (SB/DVBE) Advocacy Unit|Outreach

Sacramento Capital, CA ..................800 559-5529x3# http://www.caleprocure.ca.gov

California Department of Forestry and Fire

Getting Certified as a Small Business (SB/DVBE) MSB/MB/DVBE

Sacramento Capital, CA ..................916 323-0470 http://www.calfire.ca.gov/about/about/dobusiness_ advocates

California Department of Transportation

Getting Certified as a Small Business (SB/DVBE) Procurement Division|Advocacy| Outreach

Sacramento Capital, CA .................916 227-6000 http://www.dot.ca.gov/dpac

California High-Speed Rail Small, Disadvantaged, and Disabled Veteran Business Contracts

Small Business Advocate| Outreach Sacramento Capital, CA .................916 330-5672 www.ConnectHSR.com or www.hsr.ca.gov

San Jose Water Company Supply Diversity Procurement Opportunities

Tim McLaughlin | Manager Supplier Diversity & Community Involvement San Jose, CA ......................................408 512-4760 http://www.sjwater.com

Hair Stylist

Embracing Your Essence 43 Shadyleaf Ct Santa Rosa, CA 95409 Patsy Sanders | Master Hairstylist, Image Coach & Speaker Santa Rosa, CA..................................707-889-9600 www.embracingyouressence.com Patsy@embracingyouressence.com

Healthcare Staffing

Ability Therapy Staffing Physical Therapy Staffing Agency “Medical Staffing Specialist”

Andrew Javellan | Manager San Jose/Bay Area, CA.........................408 659-6105 www.abilitytherapystaffing.com

Health & Wellness

Bay Area Men’s Health Specializes in pelvic health & fitness for men over 50 Numbiya Aziz | Men’s Health Specialist San Jose, CA.....................................510 663-8106 http://www.gentlemenhealth.com Earnest Love, Inc. Emotionally healthy women are healthy profissionals Chante Dent | Executive Director Suwanee, GA.......................................678 835-7572 http://www.earnestlove.org

Eternal Health & Wellness Balance Your Energy Balance Your Life Dr. Quli Zhou | Chinese Medicine Milpitas, CA.......................................408 241-6638 http://www.myeternalhealth.com

Jacqueline Turner Spa Health & Wellness/Romance & Health Jacqueline Turner | Alternative Health Specialist Emeryville, CA...................................408 241-6638 http://www.jacquelineturner.com

HHair Replacement

Vanda Salon

Providing the optimal in hair loss treatment, replacement and paramedical camouflage Vanda McCauley | Master Stylist/Consultant San Jose, CA.......................................408 224-1224 http://www.vandasalon.net

Hospital Healthcare

Roger W. Washington, MD

Published Author, Sleep Health Speaker, Primary Physician, International Medical Graduates Roger W. Washington| M.D. Civil Surgeon, Author, Family Medicine, Sleep Health Speaker Santa Clara /Bay Area, CA...............NA www.SleepMattersTheBook.com

Human Resource Compliance

Franklins Consulting

HR Compliance/Data Security/Whistleblower

Nancy Franklin | HR Compliance Consultant

South Jordan Utah...........................801 910-5605

Legal Services

LegalShield

Legal Protection Family/Small Biz/Employee/Identity Verna Jones | Independent Associate Milpitas, CA .....................................650 533-5725 http://www.vernaj.legalshieldassociate.com

IInsurance Services

Tressa Williams Agency

State Farm Providing Insurance & Financial Services Tressa Williams | Insurance Agent Bay Area, CA ..................................408 243-4400 http://www.twilliamsagency.com

Wettenstein Insurance (No-Fee Insurance)

Personal/Commercial & Small Biz/Life/Health/Special Warren G. Wettenstein | Independent Broker Milpitas, CA .....................................408 824-1450 www.calvantage.net

MManufacturing

Hastest Solutions, Inc.

Environmental Test Chamber Types are, Burn-In, HAST/ PCT, HTOL/LTOL, Humidity, Salt/Fog/Spray Corrosion, Sand & Dust, Rain Splash, and Drip, Temperature Cycling, Thermal Cycling, Thermal Shock, Customized Walk-In Chambers Aylia Rizvi | COO San Jose/Bay Area CA .................408 945-7861 http://www.hastest.com

Marketing

Money 2.0 Business On The Edge/AM 1220 KDOW Sponsorships, Commercials, Live Ads Mass Comm. Team Edge |Build Your Brand Image Bay Area, CA .....................................408 357-0951 http://www.businessontheedge.biz

Massage Therapy

Eternal Health & Wellness Swedish, Deep Tissue,Aromatherapy,Acupressure, Tui Na Dr. Quli Zhou| Chinese Medicine & Massage Milpitas, CA........................................408.241.6638 http://www.myeternalhealth.com

Jacqueline Turner Spa Health & Wellness/Romance & Health Jacqueline Turner | Massage Therapist Emeryville, CA...................................408 241-6638 http://www.jacquelineturner.com

Mens Health

Shane Higgins| Principal Owner San Diego CA........................800 619-6101 ext. 317 https://www.creativemarketingincentives.biz

Bay Area Men’s Health Men’s Health Athletic Stretch Massage Performance Anxiety Numbiya Aziz |Men’s Health Specialist San Jose, CA (Bay Area)...................408 909-0291

Mental Health Support

Earnest Love, Inc. Heal, Love, Live, Emotional Support from sexual trauma

Chante Dent | Executive Director Suwanee, GA.......................................678 835-7572 http://www.earnestlove.org

Mobile App

BigZpoon

Make our planet greener, one meal at a time. Download Free Mobile App for Discounted Restaurant Meals Sanjeev Ukhalkar, CEO |Cem Yildirim, COO Fremont, CA ....................................415 251-3333 https://www.bigzpoon.com

Firehouse Community Development Center

Donate to Increase Highschool Student’s Grade Anita Rubio | Operations Manager San Jose, CA........................................408 327-9622 http://www.the-firehouse.org

Step Up and Do Something

26 Steps A-Z Improving the Community Rita Guess | Executive Director San Jose, CA ......................................408 772-8679 http://www.stepupanddosomething.org

Village-Connect

Sustainable Positive Transformation, Self-aware and Self-Directed Bay Area, CA....................................510 564--4240 https://www.village-connect.org

Nutrition

Herbalife

The Key to Good Nutrition Verna Jones | Independent AssoHerbalife Member Milpitas, CA .....................................408 471-9072 http://www.herbal-nutrition.net/vjones

NNature Journaling

Be Provided Conservation Radio

Nature Events, Expression, Outdoors, Smell the Roses Marcia Sivek | Journaling Coach (Coming in the Fall) Bay Area, CA .....................................408 759-1863 http://www.beprovided.com

Newspaper

South Valley Review Newspaper

Better at knowing what matters to you Brigitte Jones | Publisher & Advertising Agent Bay Area, CA .....................................408 898-7534 https://www.issuu.com/southvalleyreview

Non Profit Organizations DONATE

Caring Neighbors, Enterprises Incorporated

Feeding Bay Area’s Elderly & Children $1 Campaign Laromen Green| Executive Director Bay Area, CA....................................408 469-4065 http://www.caringneighbors.org

Earnest Love, Inc.

Support women healing from sexual trauma Chante Dent | Executive Director Suwanee, GA.......................................678 835-7572 http://www.earnestlove.org/give

OOccupational Therapy Staffing

Ability Therapy Staffing

Recovering regain occupational skills from injuries, age, and disabilities Andrew Javellan | Manager San Jose/Bay Area, CA.........................408 659-6105 www.abilitytherapystaffing.com

Office Support & Supplies

Staples

The Key to Good Nutrition Print Staff | Print Services/Office Furniture & Supplies Milpitas, CA .....................................408 956-9204 http://www.store.staples.com/ca/milpitas

Opportunities for Academic Success

Online Courses

Be Provided Online Courses Slow Down, Relax, Meditation, Mindfulness, Nutrition Marcia Sivek | Online Instructor Bay Area, CA .....................................408 759-1863 http://www.ultimatehealthforsuccess.com

On the Edge WIB

Small Business Concierge Magazine

A platform that showcases women in business Margaret Jackson | Publisher of SBC Magazine & CLUB President Bay Area/Silicon Valley.........................408 357-0951 http://www.smallbusinessconcierge.biz

B & R Media Group

Publisher of South Valley Review, Ad Agency, Media buyer, Advertising Guru Brigitte Jones | Advertising Agent Bay Area, CA ........................................408 898-7534 https://www.issuu.com/southvalleyreview

Eternal Health & Wellness Acupuncture for Stress Relief Dr. Quli Zhou| Chinese Medicine Milpitas, CA........................................408 241-6638 http://www.myeternalhealth.com/

Hastest Solutions, Inc. Women/Girls Tech Tours, S.T.E.A.M. Advocate for Girls, Aylia Rizvi | Speaker Colleges, Schools, Universities San Jose, Bay Area, CA.......................408 945-7861 http://www.hastest.com

Kroot Private Investigations LLC License#PI 128940

Family Law, Witness Interviews, Court Records Research, Criminal Defense, Civil, Background Investigation, Service of Process Tracey Kroot | Private Investigator Bay Area, CA .....................................408 309-7064 www.pi-kroot.com

Marcie Anderson - Corporate Wellness Consultants

Book: Are We There Yet?: Enlightenment for Busy People - Get a FREE Assessment when you buy my book!

Marcie Anderson | PhD Author & Speaker Mount Pleasant, SC.............................415 418-4358 https://amzn.to/3aMhBF6

Marilyn Randolph

Family Child Care Guide - Start a Child Care Business Marilyn Randolph | Author & Speaker Bay Area, CA .....................................408.389-8672 http://www.marilynrandolph.com

Plan-18

Workbook containing legal documents for turning 18 Cheryl Nelson | Author & Speaker Bay Area, CA .....................................408 614-1628

Positive Progression Inc.

Treatment Programs Designed to Meet Every Need Katy Mc Dowell | Executive Director San Jose, CA .....................................888 333-3963 http://www.positiveprogression.org

Tamika Ellsworth, EQ1 DRE: #01782633

Homebuying training, buyers, sellers, faith, ten commandments of home loans, Kingdom Building Tamika Ellsworth | Faith Homebuying Director Bay Area, CA ....................................408 561-7922 www.tamikaellsworth.com

Tisha’s Table

Cookbook Author, Fresh Food, Baked Goods, Gourmet Cupcakes, Custom Menus, Cooking Lessons Tisha Wylie Jeffers | Chef Bay Area, CA .....................................408 755-0353 www.facebook.com/TishasTable

Tressa Williams Agency

State Farm Providing Insurance & Financial Services Tressa Williams | Insurance Agent Bay Area, CA .....................................408 243-4400 http://www.twilliamsagency.com

Vanda Salon

Providing the optimal in hair loss treatment, replacement and paramedical camouflage Vanda McCauley | Master Stylist/Consultant San Jose, CA.......................................408 224-1224 http://www.vandasalon.net

PPhysical Therapy Staffing

Ability Therapy Staffing

Promote ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability

Andrew Javellan | Manager

San Jose/Bay Area, CA.......................408 659-6105 www.abilitytherapystaffing.com

Podcast Programs

Be Provided Conservation Radio Nature, Conservation, Peace of Mind Marcia Sivek | Radio Podcast Host Bay Area, CA .....................................408 759-1863 http://www.beprovided.com/conservation-podcast

On the Edge Purpose Radio Podcasts

On the Edge Business Training & Industry Professionals Margaret Jackson | Radio Podcast Host Bay Area, CA ....................................408 357-0951 http://www.ontheedgepurpose.podbean.com

Politics & Business

The Social-Preneur

The Leadership Coach to Ambitious Women Chandra Brooks | Politics & Leadership Coach San Jose, CA .....................................N/A http://www.chandra-brooks.com

Publishers

Amari Rise Publishing and Coaching Services Book Coaching for Authors, Publishing Marilyn Randolph | CEO “Empowerment Author” San Jose, CA .....................................530 430-7743 marilynrandolph@marilynrandolph.com

Politics & Business

The Social-Preneur

The Leadership Coach to Ambitious Women

Chandra Brooks | Politics & Leadership Coach San Jose, CA .....................................N/A http://www.chandra-brooks.com

Private Investigation

Kroot Private Investigations LLC License#PI 128940

Family Law, Witness Interviews, Court Records Research, Criminal Defense, Civil, Background Investigation, Service of Process Tracey Kroot | Private Investigator Bay Area, CA .....................................408 309-7064 www.pi-kroot.com

Private Personal Chef

Tisha’s Table Cookbook Author, Fresh Food, California Eats, Culinary Bootcamp, Custom Menus, Cooking Lessons Tisha Wylie Jeffers | Chef Bay Area, CA ......................................408 755-0353 www.facebook.com/TishasTable

Purchase Incentives

Creative Marketing Incentives Purchase Incentives

Shane Higgins| Principal Owner San Diego CA........................800 619-6101 ext. 317 https://www.creativemarketingincentives.biz

QYour Ad Subscription Here!

RReal Estate

FCC Realty DRE 01300425 Real Estate Products & Services Frank Cancilla | Broker Bay Area, CA ..................................408 821-1291 http://www.fccrealty.com

Realty One Group Infinity Helping You Make the Right Move Mardin Amiri | Real Estate Agent Bay Area, CA ..................................408 210-2073 http://www.mardinamiri.com

Real Estate Training Solutions

Tamika Ellsworth, EQ1 DRE: #01782633 Homebuying training, buyers, sellers, faith, ten commandments of home loans, Kingdom Building Tamika Ellsworth | Faith Homebuying Director Bay Area, CA ..................................408 561-7922 www.tamikaellsworth.com

Residential Construction & Remodeling

Rockstrong Development Inc. Bathroom Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, Home Remodeling, New Home Construction, Stone & Epoxy Overlay, Quality Work, On-Time, Licensed Work. Amir Amiri | Owner & President Bay Area San Jose, CA ......................408 694-3472 www.RockStrong.com

Restaurant

BigZpoon

Increase your profitability by reducing food waste. Download BigZpoon Biz App to grow your profits in eco-friendly way Sanjeev Ukhalkar, CEO |Cem Yildirim, COO Fremont, CA ......................................415 251-3333 https://www.bigzpoon.com

Speakers

DO Enterprises

Author | Executive|Inspiration Devin Oten | Entrepreneur Philantropist Bay Area, CA .....................................510 319-6079 http://www.devinoten.com

Margaret Jackson/AM 1220 KDOW/AM 1100 KFAX Radio Personality|Motivation Exec.| Dynamic|Humor Bay Area, CA .....................................408 357-0951 http://www.businessontheedge.biz

Marcie Anderson - Corporate Wellness Consultants

Personal Patterning Neutralize Negative Habits Marcie Anderson | Ph., Executive Coah Mount Pleasant, SC.............................415 418-4358 http://www.corporate-wellnessconsultants.com/

Special Event Planning

SSales Incentives

Creative Marketing Incentives

Sales Incentives

Shane Higgins| Principal Owner San Diego CA........................800 619-6101 ext. 317 https://www.creativemarketingincentives.biz

Small Business Expos & Summits

Small Business Expo, Largest B2B Tradeshow in the Nation 75,000+ attendees

Featuring more than 25 Workshops, Panel Discussions, Networking Opportunities and Over 100 Exhibit Susah Baah | Media Partnerships Bay Area, CA .....................................N/A https://www.thesmallbusinessexpo.com/lp/

Soul Project Manager

Marcie Anderson - Corporate Wellness Consultants

Bringing awareness, healing, and meditation

Marcie Anderson | PhD Executive Director Mount Pleasant, SC.............................415 418-4358 http://www.corporate-wellnessconsultants.com/

Posh Events & Affairs Classy, capable, professional. We love to plan events Meredith Walker| Owner Hayward, CA........................................510 815-5306 http://www.posheventsandaffairs.com

Speech Therapy Staffing

Ability Therapy Staffing Speech Disorders augmentative & alternative communication systems, autism spectrum disorders, or progressive neurological disorders Andrew Javellan | Manager San Jose/Bay Area, CA.......................408 659-6105 www.abilitytherapystaffing.com

Spiritual Counseling Staffing Service

SlingShot Connections

Staff Talent. Build Solutions Thereza Chattmon | VP Talent Solutions Bay Area, CA ..................................408 247-8233 http://www.slingshotconnections.com

Hastest Solutions, Inc.

Studennt Tech Tours, S.T.E.M Student Projects

Aylia Rizvi | Speaker Colleges, Schools, Universities San Jose, Bay Area, CA.......................408 945-7861 http://www.hastest.com

Supply Diversity

eBay

Building A Stronger, Better, More Diverse eBay ebay Inc. Staff San Jose, CA .................................N/A http://www.ebay.com

San Jose Water Company

Supply Diversity & Procurement

Tim McLaughlin | Manager Supplier Diversity & Community Involvement San Jose, CA ..................................408 512-4760 http://www.sjwater.com

Testing Services

Hastest Solutions, Inc. Environmental Test Chamber Types are, Burn-In, HAST/PCT, HTOL/LTOL, Humidity, Salt/Fog/Spray Corrosion, Sand & Dust, Rain Splash, and Drip, Temperature Cycling, Thermal Cycling, Thermal Shock, Customized Walk-In Chambers

Aylia Rizvi | COO San Jose/Bay Area CA .................408 945-7861 http://www.hastest.com

Travel Services

Spectacular Odysseys

Curator of Fine Travel Narmada Ramakrishnan | Founder/CEO San Jose, CA ..................................408 944-9164 https://www.linkedin.com/company/spectacularodysseys

Twin Travels

Taking the Pain Out of Planning Your Travel Alicia Owens | Travel Specialist Bay Area, CA ..................................408 421-4704 www.twinstravelservice.com

TTax Strategies

Financial Education Services

Capital Gains Tax Strategist

Ruth Benjamin | Expert Tax Strategist Trainer Bay Area, CA ...................................888 977-1222 http://www.fesexperts.com

FCC Realty DRE 01300425

Gains Tax Strategist

Frank Cancilla | Tax Strategist Introducer Bay Area, CA ....................................408 821-1291 http://www.fccrealty.com

Tax Wealth

Comprehensive Tax Solutions

Bruce Jones | President | Tax Educator

Mission Viejo, CA ........................800 300-4723 www.taxwealth.com

Technology

USTEC Education Center

Computer-Aided Design Training for Underrepresented Inner-City Blacks & Hispanics

Stephen Samuel |Founder & Visionary Silicon Valley/Bay Area....................408-997-6323

Video Production

Weight Loss

Eternal Health & Wellness

Acupuncture & Lipo Light For Weight Loss Dr. Quli Zhou| Chinese Medicine Milpitas, CA..........................................408 241-6638 http://www.myeternalhealth.com

http://www.myeternalhealth.com

http://www.myeternalhealth.com

Wedding Events

Wedding Events

Epic Venues Glass House & The Corinthian Grand Ballroom

XXYour Ad Subscription Here!

Epic Venues Glass House & The Corinthian Grand Ballroom

An extraordinary wedding experience for the bride & groom, building a lifetime of memories Clay Bandy| Premiere Promoter Bay Area, CA...Sales Call Request...408 963-8500 http://www.venuessanjose.com and https://www.corinthiangrandballroom.com

Your Ad Subscription Here!

An extraordinary wedding experience for the bride & groom, building a lifetime of memories Clay Bandy| Premiere Promoter Bay Area, CA...Sales Call Request...408 963-8500 http://www.venuessanjose.com and https://www.corinthiangrandballroom.com

Y/E 2.0

Posh Events & Affairs

All you have to do is show up and smile

Posh Events & Affairs

Meredith Walker| Owner Hayward, CA.......................................510 815-5306 http://www.posheventsandaffairs.com

All you have to do is show up and smile Meredith Walker| Owner Hayward, CA.......................................510 815-5306 http://www.posheventsandaffairs.com

Women In Business

Women In Business

Earnest Love, Inc. Helping women heal from sexual trauma Chante Dent | Executive Director Suwanee, GA.......................................678 835-7572 http://www.earnestlove.org

Earnest Love, Inc. Helping women heal from sexual trauma Chante Dent | Executive Director Suwanee, GA.......................................678 835-7572 http://www.earnestlove.org

Women Networking Groups

Women Networking Groups

Sister 2 Sister Women with purpose working together to positively impact the world Susan Chigwada | Visionary Bay Area, CA.......................................530 340-6213 www.sis2sis.org

Sister 2 Sister Women with purpose working together to positively impact the world Susan Chigwada | Visionary Bay Area, CA.......................................530 340-6213 www.sis2sis.org

Women’s Networking Alliance

Relationship-based networking. Build relationships and your business will grow. Tracey Lee Davis | Vice President Bay Area, CA.......................................669-244-4620 https://www.womensnetworkingalliance.com

Women’s Networking Alliance Relationship-based networking. Build relationships and your business will grow. Tracey Lee Davis | Vice President Bay Area, CA.......................................669-244-4620 https://www.womensnetworkingalliance.com

Women In S.T.E.A.M.

Women In S.T.E.A.M.

Hastest Solutions, Inc. Women/Girls Tech Tours, S.T.E.A.M. Advocate for Girls, Aylia Rizvi | Speaker Colleges, Schools, Universities San Jose, Bay Area, CA.......................408 945-7861 http://www.hastest.com

Hastest Solutions, Inc. Women/Girls Tech Tours, S.T.E.A.M. Advocate for Girls, Aylia Rizvi | Speaker Colleges, Schools, Universities San Jose, Bay Area, CA.......................408 945-7861 http://www.hastest.com

Y/E 2.0

YYFirehouse Community Development Center

YouTube Video & FB Live Anita Rubio | Operations Manager San Jose, CA........................................408 327-9622 http://www.the-firehouse.org

Firehouse Community Development Center

YouTube Video & FB Live Anita Rubio | Operations Manager San Jose, CA........................................408 327-9622 http://www.the-firehouse.org

Y/E 2.0 Leadership & Innovation

Y/E 2.0 Leadership & Innovation

Y/E 2.0 Parenting

Y/E 2.0 Parenting

Firehouse Community Development Center

YouTube Video & FB Live Anita Rubio | Operations Manager San Jose, CA........................................408 327-9622 http://www.the-firehouse.org

Firehouse Community Development Center

YouTube Video & FB Live Anita Rubio | Operations Manager San Jose, CA........................................408 327-9622 http://www.the-firehouse.org

Y/E 2.0 Therapy

Y/E 2.0 Therapy

Kingdom Family Resources Restoring professional young adults Elizabeth Stewart | MA, LMFT Bay Area, CA ...................................408 800-7821 http://www.kingdomfamilyresources.com

Kingdom Family Resources Restoring professional young adults Elizabeth Stewart | MA, LMFT Bay Area, CA ...................................408 800-7821 http://www.kingdomfamilyresources.com

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Upcoming 2022 Events

LISTEN LIVE: https://kdow.biz HUBZone

July 2022

Money 2.0 Business on the Edge with Margaret Jackson

NorCal PTAC How to do business with the Government

Every Friday AM 1220 KDOW/iHeart Prime Time 6:00pm - 7:00pm PST

Thursday July 14 10am PST

Taco-Rita Fest

Sat.& Sun. July 23-24 11a - 7p

Taste of Soul Bay Area Music & Food Festival

August 2022

Money 2.0 Business on the Edge with Margaret Jackson

Sat. & Sun. July 30-31 12-8pm

LISTEN LIVE: https://kdow.biz

Virtual Webinar Registration norcalptac.org/IntroWebinars

Discovery Meadow Park 180 Woz Way San Jose

Every Friday AM 1220 KDOW/iHeart Prime Time

Plaza De Cesar Chavez Park Downtown San Jose Full Bar - Kid Zone - Lots of Vendors

LISTEN LIVE: https://kdow.biz 6:00pm - 7:00pm PST

The Inclusivity Project, Wells Fargo, and California’s black and African American Chambers are joining forces to support black business owners in building a bold new, inclusive economy—meaning new businesses, jobs, and creating powerful community impact throughout Northern California—together.

Open to all new and existing Chamber members, the SBDC’s Inclusivity Project will equip you with expert knowledge and insight on all things small business—from credit to capital, to marketing, management and beyond.

SBDC’s Inclusivity Project business advising and training come to your business completely FREE, with special thanks to generous investments from Wells Fargo, and supporting partnerships from the black and African American Chambers.

The Inclusivity Project is made possible by a strategic partnership between the Northern California Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) and the Black and African American Chambers of Commerce. Funded in part by a generous contribution from Wells Fargo, in part through a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration (SBA), and in part through a grant with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

JOIN US.

PARTICIPATING CHAMBERS

CALIFORNIA BLACK CHAMBER

SACRAMENTO BLACK CHAMBER

SOLANO BLACK CHAMBER

SILICON VALLEY BLACK CHAMBER

OAKLAND AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER

SAN FRANSISCO AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER

SAN JOAQUIN AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER

COBIZ RICHMOND

NORTH BAY BLACK CHAMBER

PARTICIPATING SBDC’S

SAN MATEO SBDC

MARIN SBDC

SACRAMENTO VALLEY SBDC

SOLANO-NAPA SBDC

ACCESS SBDC

EAST BAY SBDC

SAN FRANCISCO SBDC

SAN JOAQUIN SBDC

JOINING THE INCLUSIVITY PROJECT IS SIMPLE.

It only takes about 5 minutes to sign up for the Inclusivity Project and gain access to our vast network of experts who will help with your business goals.

The Inclusivity Project is made possible by a strategic partnership between the Northern California Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) and the Black and African American Chambers of Commerce. Funded in part by a generous contribution from Wells Fargo, in part through a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration (SBA), and in part through a grant with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.