biofuel oasis cooperative: lessons in starting a biodiesel station by jennifer radtke, co-founder by...
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BioFuel OasisCooperative:
Lessons in Starting a Biodiesel Station
BioFuel OasisCooperative:
Lessons in Starting a Biodiesel Station
ByJennifer Radtke,
Co-Founder
ByJennifer Radtke,
Co-Founder
Original BioFuel Oasis 4th & Dwight, Berkeley, California
Dec 2003 - April 2009
Original BioFuel Oasis 4th & Dwight, Berkeley, California
Dec 2003 - April 2009
Retail biodiesel (B99.9) at the pump to individual customers in the San Francisco Bay Area
Retail biodiesel (B99.9) at the pump to individual customers in the San Francisco Bay Area
BioFuel Oasis: Moved May 2009BioFuel Oasis:
Moved May 2009
1930s old gas station site on high traffic corner
Accessibility:4 nozzles, 7am - midnight availability
8K Gallon Aboveground Tank
Urban Farm Store
1930s old gas station site on high traffic corner
Accessibility:4 nozzles, 7am - midnight availability
8K Gallon Aboveground Tank
Urban Farm Store
Most Sustainable Station in the Nation!Most Sustainable Station in the Nation!
Recycled Biodiesel made within 200 mile radius
Powered by Solar Native & Edible
Landscaping Waste Veg Oil Collection Beyond Individual Car
Use
Recycled Biodiesel made within 200 mile radius
Powered by Solar Native & Edible
Landscaping Waste Veg Oil Collection Beyond Individual Car
Use
Women, Worker-Owned Cooperative
All drive cars on biodiesel (B99)
Newest members have been here 5 yrs
Women, Worker-Owned Cooperative
All drive cars on biodiesel (B99)
Newest members have been here 5 yrs
BioFuel Oasis: Who We AreBioFuel Oasis: Who We Are
Fuel MarketFuel Market
When is most fuel sold? Petro prices go up every
spring How Petro prices affect
Biodiesel Spring
Fuel Shortages
When is most fuel sold? Petro prices go up every
spring How Petro prices affect
Biodiesel Spring
Fuel Shortages
Customers: Who They AreCustomers: Who They Are
Typical customer: 30s, drives a VW TDI
Businesses: Solar PV installers, Green Builders, Landscapers
Affected by price of petroleum diesel
Typical customer: 30s, drives a VW TDI
Businesses: Solar PV installers, Green Builders, Landscapers
Affected by price of petroleum diesel
Biodiesel Education: A Success
Biodiesel Education: A Success
10 minute talk to first-time customers
Call us before your mechanic Appearance of
biodiesel cannotbe described over the phone.
Communicate: regarding priceand blends
10 minute talk to first-time customers
Call us before your mechanic Appearance of
biodiesel cannotbe described over the phone.
Communicate: regarding priceand blends
Biodiesel: The RevolutionBiodiesel: The Revolution
Personal Connection
Gives People Power - Changes people’s lives
Getting Along
Personal Connection
Gives People Power - Changes people’s lives
Getting Along
Location, Location, Location!
Location, Location, Location!
On major corner in Berkeley
1 mile from Interstate 80on Freeway exit
On major corner in Berkeley
1 mile from Interstate 80on Freeway exit
PermittingPermitting
Charm and educate. Don’t argue. Ask permitting
people what they need. Be a nerd. Be Patient (Triple whatever
timeframes they give you). Get elected officials and
economic development on your side.
Charm and educate. Don’t argue. Ask permitting
people what they need. Be a nerd. Be Patient (Triple whatever
timeframes they give you). Get elected officials and
economic development on your side.
Funding the Original StationFunding the Original Station
$5000 SaraHope
$5000 Jennifer
$5000 Business Profits
$5000 $50 Founding Member Donations
$20,000 TOTAL
Length of time: 9 months
Funding new station
Funding new station
$100K City Loan
$60K Private Loan
$37K Business Sponsors
$35K Business Reinvestment
$30K $100 Donations
$32K Prepaid Fuel
$7K Events
$301K TOTAL RAISED
Financial PlanningFinancial Planning
Business plan Monthly Projections &
Analysis Don’t run at a deficit. Spend money you’ve
already earned
Business plan Monthly Projections &
Analysis Don’t run at a deficit. Spend money you’ve
already earned
Make AlliesMake Allies
Create an industry, not just a business
Create long-term relationships with natural allies.
Cooperation not competition
Create an industry, not just a business
Create long-term relationships with natural allies.
Cooperation not competition
Chicken, Rabbit and Goat Feed
Beekeeping Supplies
Urban Homesteading Classes in Winter
Chicken, Rabbit and Goat Feed
Beekeeping Supplies
Urban Homesteading Classes in Winter
Diversify income
Diversify income
Urban Farm StoreUrban Farm Store
Working with BiodieselWorking with Biodiesel
Change the Fuel Filter Mantra
No spill policy Big Spill
Preparedness Fuel quality testing -
how it looks
Change the Fuel Filter Mantra
No spill policy Big Spill
Preparedness Fuel quality testing -
how it looks