Newsletters

September 2011 E-Newsletter

 
Fall is here and Working Solutions is pleased to share exciting updates with you.
Sincerely,
Emily Gasner, Executive Director
Working Solutions Meets Representative Nancy Pelosi
  On August 25th, Working Solutions, Women's Initiative, and 8 women entrepreneurs had the privilege of meeting with Representative Nancy Pelosi to celebrate the success of women-owned businesses in the Bay Area. Congresswoman Pelosi listened as topics like job creation, local manufacturing, health care, exporting abroad, work-life balance, and credit options were discussed. Working Solutions borrowers Kika's Treats, Cake Coquette, 18 Rabbits, and Velvet & Tweed were all featured panelists.

Working Solutions Receives $20,000 Grant from Citibank

On September 7th, Working Solutions received a generous $20,000 grant from Citibank to support our training, mentoring, and advising program. Citibank has long been a supporter of Working Solutions through grants and trainings.  "Citi is proud to support Working Solutions because of the impact they have helping entrepreneurs make their dreams come true," said Jenny Flores, Senior Vice President, Citi Community Development Manager. Thank you Citibank!

Cow Hollow's One-Stop Shopping Destination: RGB Shop+Gallery

Working Solutions borrower RGB Shop+Gallery  is breathing new life in to the Cow Hollow neighbhorhood shopping district. Owner Faithy Leong has created a clothing and art boutique filled with flattering silhouettes, bold colors, and textured fabrics that speak to the creative individual in each of us. Faithy's store has also been featured in Refinery 29,  Pop Sugar, and more. To get your own stylish prints, visit RGB Shop+Gallery at 3024 Fillmore Street in Cow Hollow.

Working Solutions Presents: Entrepreneur Insights

Working Solutions held its second Entrepreneur Insights workshop on September 8th to share best practices and techniques around marketing for small businesses. This exclusive workshop series is designed specifically for Working Solutions borrowers to help connect them with local resources, mentors, industry experts, and each other. Panelists included Working Solutions borrower Barrett Purdum of Taylor Stitch, Ken Stram of 2Bridge Communications, and Maureen Futtner of PR For The People. Stay tuned for our next Entreprenuer Insights workshop in January. 

Save The Date!

Working Solutions and Renaissance Center will be co-hosting their Annual Holiday Gift Fair on December 1st from 5pm to 8pm at 101 Second Street at Mission. This is the perfect opportunity to find locally made gifts for your family and friends. Stay tuned for more information! If you are interested in volunteering, contact Working Solutions staff person Kelly Lovlien at 415-655-5433 or email at kelly@tmcworkingsolutions.org.   

Please consider making a donation to Working Solutions
to support local entrepreneurship by clicking here. 


 
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July 2011 E-Newsletter

Summer is here and Working Solutions is pleased to share exciting updates with you.
Sincerely,
Emily Gasner, Executive Director
Wells Fargo Provides Working Solutions with $100,000 Grant
On June 7, 2011, Mario Diaz and Katy Johnson of Wells Fargo presented Working Solutions staff and Board President Barbara Morrison with a $100,000 grant to assist its microloan borrowers to successfully grow their businesses. This funding is through Wells Fargo's Technical Assistance Program.  Wells Fargo has a long history of supporting our program. Working Solutions was able to launch its microlending program in 2005 as a result of a $500,000 investment we received from Wells Fargo. We are so thankful for the generous donation and support from Wells Fargo.  

Working Solutions is now on Facebook!
Where can you find great stories, interesting facts, and one-of-a-kind discounts from our microloan borrowers? Working Solutions' brand new Facebook page! By clicking here, you can get the latest and greatest about Working Solutions, whether you have a Facebook account or not. Don't forget to 'like' us to show your support!

The Common Grand Opening
San Francisco's favorite hangout has new digs! The Common is celebrating the opening of their new store at 383 Valencia Street. They will feature Working Solutions borrower Taylor Stitch's line of custom shirts and have a pop-up store featuring Working Solutions borrower Joshu+Vela's handmade bags and totes.

Urban Bazaar Wins "Best Boutique"
Working Solutions borrower Urban Bazaar won "Best Boutique" in San Francisco Weekly's Best of 2011 contest. This prestitigious honor was celebrated at their 1371 9th Street store on June 11th. Urban Bazaar sells unique wares made by local producers and fair-trade goods from around the world. Urban Bazaar is also hosting their 1st Anniversary Party on July 23, 2011 in their store's garden. The party starts at 7pm; hope to see you there!

Mission Cheese Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Mayor Lee

Working Solutions celebrated the success of the San Francisco Revolving Loan Fund on May 16th with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, Supervisor Scott Wiener and Mission Cheese owner Sarah Dvorak. Located at 736 Valencia Street, Mission Cheese is a cheese shop serving local and national artisan cheeses. For the full story, please click here.

 

April 2011 E-Newsletter

Happy Spring! Working Solutions is pleased to share with you stories about our microloan borrowers. 
Sincerely,
Emily Gasner, Executive Director
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony April 26th
Please join us for the ribbon cutting ceremony of Working Solutions borrower Mission Cheese who opened their Valencia Street artisanal cheese shop earlier this month. Mayor Lee, Supervisor Wiener, and other community leaders will be in attendance. Come by 736 Valencia Street on Tuesday, April 26 at 10:15am to catch the latest cheese buzz.  

Access to Capital Workshop April 26th Featuring 18 Rabbits
Working Solutions, Pacific Community Ventures and Launch Community Ventures will be hosting the first of a four-part Entrepreneur Education Series called Access to Capital: Debt Financing for Small Businesses. The panel will include Allison Vercruysse, owner of 18 Rabbits, who will speak about how she accessed financing for her specialty food business. The seminar is April 26th from 8:30am to 10am at Hanson Bridgett LLP, 425 Market Street 26th Floor. To register, click here.  

Working Solutions Annual Breakfast
On March 24, 2011, Working Solutions held its Annual Breakfast at the City Club. Guests heard success stories from Working Solutions borrowers 51st State, Urban Bazaar and Velvet & Tweed, as well as a keynote speech by Brian Pretti of Mechanics Bank. Thank you to our event sponsors: U.S. Bank, Presidio Bank, California Bank & Trust, City National Bank, Jennifer F. Raike, and The San Francisco Business Times. 

Vagabond Craft Fair and Eco-Impact 
Working Solutions borrower Urban Bazaar will be hosting the Vagabond Craft Fair April 30, 2011 from 11am to 5pm at 1371 9th Avenue in San Francisco. Come by and peruse the goods of local artists who, with the help of Urban Bazaar, have sold over $60,000 worth of Fair Trade & locally made goods in the past 9 months.

Mother's Day Discounts
What are you getting your Mom this Mother's Day? Working Solutions borrower Kika's Treats is offering a special Mother's Day discount of 20% off plus a personalized gift card when you buy any 2 treats from their website, www.kikastreats.com. Use the discount code "treatmom"

 

February 2011 E-Newsletter

Welcome to our first enewsletter of 2011. This year has gotten off to a great start and we'd like to take this opportunity to share a few client success stories with you. Thank you for your continued interest and be sure to check out our new logo.
Sincerely,
Emily Gasner, Executive Director
Client Spotlight: Heliotrope
On February 24, 2011, Heliotrope received a $25,000 loan from Working Solutions to purchase inventory and promote their line of skincare and aromatherapy products.

Visit Heliotrope's retail store on 1515 Church Street in San Francisco and mention Working Solutions' enewsletter to receive 20% off during the month of March 2011. 

Photo: Jonathan Plotzker & Don Snider, Heliotrope.
 
Working Solutions Borrowers Featured In 7 X 7 Magazine
We are delighted that three of our borrowers, Outerlands, Brenda's Soul Food, and Farmer Brown's Little Skillet were featured in 7X7 Magazine's 100 Things to Eat Before You Die. Featured dishes included Outerland's Eggs In Jail, Little Skillet's Fried Chicken and Waffles, and Brenda's Fried Shrimp Po' Boy.

Click here to read the article.

Photo provided by Brenda's Soul Food
 

Holiday Gift Fair
In December, Working Solutions held its Annual Holiday Gift Fair in partnership with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center. More than 20 businesses participated in the event and sold a combined $8,400 of products. 

To visit our client directory, please click here.

Photo: Brandi Chalker, Urban Bazaar
Working Solutions Borrower Wins Make-Mine-A-Million Contest
Lorena Sinimovich of Petit Collage won the Make-Mine-A-Million contest held in San Francisco in November. Lorena will receive $10,000 accompanied by business coaching, mentoring and training from like-minded businesswomen in the Bay Area.

For the full article, please click here. 

Photo provided by Petit Collage
Working Solutions Borrower Featured in 7X7 Magazine
Derek Fagerstrom and Lauren Smith of The Curiosity Shoppe were featured in 7X7 Magazine's Bay Area Power Couples blog series. Their success as a couple and small business owners is highlighted, as well as their newest endeavour, Pop-Up Magazine.

To read the full article, please click here.

Photo: Derek Fagerstrom and Lauren Smith, The Curiosity Shoppe

 

 

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