resource july-september 2016 | building bridges issue

reSourceJuly-September 2016 | Issue No. 3

Renaissance is Brewing in Oakland!2 Renaissance graduates open beer businesses in Oakland

Princess Beauty SalonThe Bridge to Beauty is the Bridge to Community

YCore & Renaissance Connecting Social Change Makers Through Entrepreneurship

1 CEO Note Join the Renaissance Community

Build a business and build a vibrant community with Renaissance.

2 Renaissance Stories Renaissance is brewing in Oakland!

Inspiring stories of two Renaissance graduates who started their beer businesses in Oakland.

Princess Beauty Salon After opening her business, Princess Beauty Salon, Margarita Moreno has done far more than making customers feel beautiful inside and out. She is building a community.

5 Volunteer Spotlight YCore & Renaissance

Connecting social change makers through entrepreneurship

6 Classes, Workshops and EventsRenaissance offers classes, workshops, and events to grow your business, skills and network.

PHOTO BY K AN A H AM M O N , YC O RE E X EC U T I V E D I REC TO R

Our MissionRenaissance is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit social impact organization. The mission of Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center is to empower and in-crease the entrepreneurial capacities of socially and economically diverse women and men, and thereby strengthen our communities through the creation of sustainable new businesses, new jobs, and the promotion of financial self-sufficiency.

**Denotes Renaissance graduate

9 Featured Programs and ActivitiesWith our new website launched, SoMa Co-Working Spaces ready for market, and new curricula underway, were ready to party! Luckily we have just the thing: Join us on September 10, 2016 for the Renaissance Summer Makers Popup.

10 Our Funding CommunityThis year we are delighted to honor Pamela H. David, executive director of the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, and three extraordinary graduates, at our annual event Small Business Big Impact 32:15 on October 6, 2016.

12 Inside Spotlight Farewell to New Sector Alliance Intern Keith Scott

In his ten-month internship with Renaissance, Keith Scott provided tremendous support and developed excellent research on access to capital in San Franciscos Bayview neighborhood.

Contents

Above: YCore and Urban FIRE Students gathering after class held at the Oakland Housing Authority

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PHOTO BY K I M B E RLY C H A SE | L I T T LE SPARKS M E DI A**

Sharon Mil ler | CEO

About RenaissanceLooking forward to our next 30 years of impacting Bay Area communities, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center is poised to help thousands of individuals achieve personal, financial, and social transformation through the power of small business. Renaissance has helped open more businesses than any other non-profit in the Bay Area, and according to the Aspen Institute, posts the best record for business longevity. From inception to business planning, access to capital and resources, and ongoing assistance that growing businesses require, Renaissance fuels community vitality by empowering individuals to start businesses that bring jobs, character, and sustainable economic health to the local economy.

Ceo note

Join the Renaissance Community!

W elcome to reSource, Renais-sances magazine for and about entrepreneurs and those who love and support them. At Renaissance we are honored, every day, to see the transformational power of entrepreneurship. We know that with Renaissances end to end training from ideation to business planning, launch, sustainability and growth, our clients are bringing new products and services to the marketplace while they are creating sustainable living wage jobs for themselves and other residents, building better futures and strengthening the social fabric of our communities.

Whether you would like to have a beer (or two or three), get a new hairstyle, need a mannequin, or enjoy the Bay Areas best Barbeque, funnel cakes or empanadas, it is our small business owners who are mak-ing our communities great places to live. It is their hard work, ingenuity, courage and grit that leads them to take their cherished family recipes, their talents and passions, along with the technical skills, confidence, resources and entrepreneurial community that Renaissance provides, that allow them to take that bold leap and transform their dreams into Open for Business signs.

Running your own business isnt easy, nor is it for the light hearted. Our business owners have made the choice to do something different, conduct business on their own terms and put their financial futures into their own hands. As you read through reSource, please take a moment to learn about our entrepreneurs, enroll in a class or workshop, or refer someone to our services.

And to celebrate our small business owners please join Renaissance on Thursday, October 6th as we host our annual benefit, celebrating the 32nd anniversary of Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center and the 15th Anniversary of Renaissance Bayview. We are delighted that we will be honoring Pam David, Executive Director of the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, as well as our entrepreneurs of the year: Margarita Moreno of Princess Beauty Salon, Melissa Myers of The Good Hop Bottle Shop and James Mabrey of Your All Day Every Day Janitorial Services.

For more info please see pages 10-11 or visit our website at RenCenter.org/Annual-Event.

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Renaissance is brewing in Oakland! By Xhorxha Nikolli

Two Renaissance clients from Oakland, Viet Vu and Melissa Myers, attended our Business Planning class at our SoMa location. Both opened bars, each with a different appeal and niche audience. Both returned to Renaissance to give back, helping new students by advising and sharing their knowledge. Learning from others experience is an important piece of an entrepreneurs education.

RenaissanCe stoRies

Melissa Myers & The Good Hop Bottle Shop

Melissa Myers worked as a professional brewmaster for 16 years before she was ready to call the shots and open her own brewery. She tried to start her business for about five years, but didnt get far on her own. She decided to enroll in our Business Planning class. On the first day of class students were asked to estimate how much they would need to start their business and Melissa estimated $1.5 million dollars. Paul Terry, the class instructor, pulled her aside and said After class, well talk.

The Business Planning class helped Melissa create stepping stones to achieve her dreams. One of the most important steps was doing deeper financial analysis. It helped her decide it was a better idea to begin by opening a bottle shop instead of a brewery. And this is how The Good Hop Shop was born. Located in Oakland, The Good Hop Shop offers 450 bottles to drink on site or buy to go and has 4.5 stars on all the review sites. Though her business is booming, Melissa laments not enrolling in Renaissance's Business Planning class sooner. If

she had, she would have done things differently and her busi-ness would have launched way sooner.

Melissa is now back at Renaissance receiving financial advice to support her growth from our Financing Resource Center and sharing her experience with current students. Melissa was a guest speaker at our Start Smart class in May 2016 and provided valuable insights to our would-be-entrepreneurs. She advised students on how to acknowledge their weak-nesses, know what to farm out and ask other people to help, learn how to trust people, how to find customers and how to become your own brand, she actually wears one of her Good Hop Shop t-shirts nearly every day so people know her and her product.

The Good Hop Bottle Shop 2421 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94612 thegoodhop.com

PHOTO C OURTESY OF T H E GOO D H O P

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RenaissanCe stoRies

Viet Vu and Hoi Polloi Brewpub and Beat LoungeFour years ago Viet was working full-time as a paralegal. Feeling bored and unenthusiastic about his profession he determined that the only way he could grow in his career was to apply to law school. Attending law school to become a lawyer was not something he wanted to do. He didnt know what to do, but he did know that he wanted to be more cre-ative and independent.

Viet became interested in brewing through his father, who was a brewer. The two talked about opening a brewery together one day but that dream would never be able to become true as a result of his father contracting liver cancer and eventually passing due to the disease a few months later. For a time Viet thought that his dream of starting a brewery ended with his fathers passing. However, a year later he decided to cash in his 401K (which in hindsight he doesnt recommend doing!), and enroll at the same brewing school his father had studied at years prior. Viet eventually graduated brewing school in the summer of 2011.

He then enrolled in Renaissances Business Planning class and it took two more years of working as a Contract Analyst and saving every penny before he decided to launch Hoi Polloi Brewpub and Beat Lounge.

PHOTO BY J O H N S TO RE Y | FOO D S TO RE Y56 .C O M

Viet came to speak at Renaissances Business Planning class graduation in May 2016, offering congratulations and guid-ance to graduates. With all that he has learned he had five tips to share with graduates:

1. Be patient. After four years planning and just two years since launching, Hoi Polloi is still in its infancy. Viet finds he is still constantly learning and making changes.

2. Be flexible. A business plan seems solid, but its not. Be prepared for inevitable changes

3. Get advice. But dont necessarily take it! Every one has something to say. Its up to you to use critical thinking and make the best decision.

4. Pay for your time if you can afford it. Hire people to do administration and bookkeeping.

5. Take time for yourself. Business can be all-consuming, but dont let it be. Your brain needs time to refresh. Dont burn-out!

Hoi Polloi Brewpub and Beat Lounge 1763 Alcatraz Ave, Berkeley, CA 94703

Facebook.com/HoiPolloiBrewing

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Princess Beauty Salon The Bridge to Beauty is the Bridge to Community

By Crystal Rasmussen

Can you imagine doing what you love while making oth-ers feel good about themselves? This is exactly what Margarita Moreno, owner of Princess Beauty Salon in Daly City, prides herself on. For Margarita, the journey hasnt always been easy. In 1991 she emigrated from Mexico to the United States where she began to study cosmetology to fulfill her dream of running her own beauty salon. Taking after her parents her parents who grew vegetables in Mexico and sold them in bulk to provide for her and her seven brothers, she wanted to support her family with her drive and passion for business and beauty.

Margarita enjoys making customers happy and helping them feel better about themselves. "Its not just about makeup, but their attitude changes.She says that the change is no-ticeable when her clients walk out of the salon. She provides everyday services in the salon as well as beauty services for weddings and Quinceaneras, a traditional Mexican party for a young girl turning fifteen.

When she began her business, many people predicted that she would not succeed. She says the path wasnt always easy because I didnt have the business training or the support that I needed. As she struggled to make ends meet, she heard about Renaissance on Univisions morning show. She enrolled in Renaissances intensive Spanish language Start Smart and Business Prep classes where she developed her business plan, mastered her finances, and began to pay herself a salary. As for her training, Margarita says it is this type of

RenaissanCe stoRies

practical know-how, something we call conocimiento in my native language, that I would not have without Renaissance.

Many questioned Margarita Morenos choice of location when Princess Beauty Salon opened in 2001 because her block of Mission Street in Daly City was full of vacant storefronts. Since then, more businesses have arrived and, at her suggestion, are receiving support from Renaissance. Together, they have built a neighborhood where all can shop, eat and become even more beautiful at Princess Beauty Salon. Her business has grown beyond her expectations!

With Renaissances help, Margarita hired three new employ-ees. Her business is running smoothly, and her customers are happy. With the addition of hiring her niece as an employee, she couldnt ask for anything more. The Mayor of Daly City recognized Margarita for changing the neighborhood, com-mending her leadership in supporting locally owned busi-nesses to grow and flourish around her shop. Princess Beauty Salon has helped build the bridge of entrepreneurship in the community. When we asked Margarita what is the biggest reward of owning her business, she cheerfully stated, being able to support my mom and dad in Mexico and my mother-in-law in the U.S.

Renaissance is proud to have clients such as Margarita Moreno who demonstrate what it takes to be an entrepreneur and how building that bridge can cultivate change in neighbor-hoods that may not have experienced that impact if not for change drivers like her.

Princess Beauty Salon6290 Mission St, Daly City, CA 94014PrincessBeautySalon.net

PHOTO BY LU I S V I SCARDO PHOTO BY M ARG ARI TA M O RE N O

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VolunteeR spotlight

YCore & Renaissance Connecting Social Change Maker Through Entrepreneurship

By Genessa Kealoha

Its early Saturday morning in West Oakland and six young tech professionals rearrange tables and chairs, test their presentation technology, and hurry around to prepare a classroom. At 9 am theyll be face to face with a diverse student body, along with curious colleagues from Renaissance, to pres-ent an intensive training on digital payments and marketing.

These young professionals worked towards this three-hour presentation for six months as a result of asking the question: How can we bridge the gap? The gap, project lead Ellen Yan said, was the feeling she got when she walked around her neighborhood, South of Market in San Francisco. She was frustrated seeing people struggle to get by in contrast to the rising affluence. She would have felt even more frustrated had she not been able to address the issues head-on through YCore, a volunteer group that led her collaborate with Renais-sance. YCore is a nonprofit organization that inspires young professionals to get involved in the social sectornow, not later.

Their mission - to inspire, support and connect the next genera-tion of social change makers with high-impact philanthropic opportunities - led YCore to create a volunteer project with Renaissance. Renaissance has an established track record of helping Bay Area women and men become economically self-sufficient for over thirty years, and works with 81% low to moderate income clients. Providing people with the tools of entrepreneurship is a proven avenue to self-sustainability and long-term impact. The YCore and Renaissance volunteer

project provided a means to turn frustration into an oppor-tunity to work toward social and economic justice.

After interviewing Renaissance clients, the Renaissance YCore learned many lacked computer skills and reliable access to computers and wireless internet, and discovered the need for skills in marketing and digital payments. Collaborating with Renaissance staff, they developed a training using smart-phones as their primary interface. Using the mobile payment processing system Square, and digital marketing platforms Yelp, Facebook, and Linkedin, they taught technical market-ing and management skills, presenting the live feed from their smartphones on an overhead projector, and keeping the presentation interactive and lively.

Though the YCore group was prepared for the lack of access to technology, members of the team told us it was surprising and moving to experience the digital divide first-hand - a stark contrast to their offices at Yelp and Airbnb.

After completing the project YCore volunteer Sophia Deng recounted, We have been deeply moved and changed by working with Renaissance.

We are deeply thankful for the work that YCore has done with us at Renaissance. With their help and that of so many of our volunteers, we are building bridges to entrepreneur-ship together, empowering people to make better lives for themselves, their families and ultimately our communities.

Members belonging to the Renaissance YCore volunteer team include Ellen Yan at Airbnb, EE Hou at shopkick, Sophia Deng at Instacart, Sophia Lee at Triage Consulting, Noah Gilmore at Yelp, and Kana Hammon, Executive Director of YCore. Their work culminated in an exciting technology training program.

YCore.info

PHOTO S BY K AN A H AM M O N

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Getting Started: OrientationOrientationAre you ready to start or grow your own business? Are you thinking about it? Determine your business readiness and get the tips and resources, including an overview of Renaissances classes and services, to help you succeed.Cost: Free

SoMa: 275 5th St., San Francisco

Thurs 7/28 6:00-7:30 p.m. Kareen Boncales

Tue 8/9 11:00-12:30 p.m. Kareen Boncales

Wed 8/24 6:00-7:30 p.m. Kareen Boncales



Mid-Peninsula: 1848 Bay Road, East Palo Alto

Th 8/10 6:30-8:30 p.m. TBD

Th 8/17 6:30-8:30 p.m. TBD

Th 8/24 6:30-8:30 p.m. TBD

Th 8/31 6:30-8:30 p.m. TBD

Mid-Peninsula, Doelger Senior Center: 101 Lake Merced Blvd, Daly City

Th 8/11 6:30-8:30 p.m. TBD

Th 8/18 6:30-8:30 p.m. TBD

Th 8/25 6:30-8:30 p.m. TBD

Th 9/1 6:30-8:30 p.m. TBD

Richmond Chamber of Commerce: 3925 MacDonald Ave., Richmond

Wed 7/6 6:30-9 p.m. Bret Sweet



Learning Basics: Start Smart Start SmartDefine your goals and start planning your business. You will use a Business Model Canvas to put your ideas on paper and develop them to meet the needs of your market.Cost: $120 for 4 sessions (scholarships available)


Mon 8/8 6:00-9:00 p.m. TBD

Classes, WoRkshops & eVents


Wed 9/7 6:30-9:30 p.m. TBD


Th 9/8 6:30-9:30 p.m. TBD

Richmond: 3925 MacDonald Ave., Richmond

Mon 9/5 6:30-9:30 p.m. TBD

Business PlanningBusiness Planning ClassCreate a practical, effective business plan for your business. The classes address every aspect of starting and growing a business, including marketing, management, finance, and customer development. You will receive individual consulta-tions, coaching on how to get funded, financial templates, and a business plan review.Cost: $500 - $1000 14 weeks/26 sessions (scholarships available)


Tu 9/13 6-9 p.m. Paul Terry

Business PrepLearn business basics and determine the viability of your busi-ness idea. The course covers fundamentals of marketing, op-erations, and finances.Cost $50-$300 9 sessions (scholarships available)

Richmond Chamber of Commerce: 3925 MacDonald Ave., Richmond

Th 7/21 6:30-9:30 p.m Robbie Kunkel

Skill BuildingLegal WorkshopFree monthly legal workshops taught by the San Francisco Community Business Law Center. Workshop themes include Intellectual Property, Before You Sign That Lease and How to Write an Independent Contractor Agreement. Cost: Free


Wed 7/20 6-8 p.m TBD

Wed 8/17 6-8 p.m. TBD

Wed 9/21 6-8 p.m TBD

For the most up-to-date list of classes visit RenCenter.org/calendar

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Classes, WoRkshops & eVents

For Women

Renaissance Womens NetworkJoin us on the second Wednesday of every month for an eve-ning of mingling, storytelling, and connecting with inspiring woman business owners! Each event features a special guest speaker followed by focused support groups.Cost: $15 per event or $60 for series

Capital One Cafe: 101 Post St., San Francisco

Wed 7/13 6:30-8:30 p.m. Guest Speakers

Wed 8/10 6:30-8:30 p.m. Guest Speakers

Wed 9/14 6:30-8:30 p.m Guest Speakers

Orientacin de RenaissanceEste taller es para propietarios nuevos o potenciales de pequeas empresas que desean aprender y utilizar los siete factores crticos del xito que son clave para el xito de una pequea empresa. Costo: gratis


Martes 8/9 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Martes 8/16 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Martes 8/23 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Martes 8/30 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Mid-Peninsula, Sequoia Adult School: 3247 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park

Jueves 8/11 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Jueves 8/18 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Jueves 8/25 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Jueves 9/1 6:30-8:30 p.m.


Lunes 8/8 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Lunes 8/15 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Lunes 8/22 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Lunes 8/29 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Pasos SimplesUn programa de empoderamiento y planificacin de ne-gocios. Los temas incluyen, estudios de mercado y plani-ficacin, fijacin de precios y promocin de productos, anlisis del punto de equilibrio, el flujo de efectivo y la organizacin del tiempo invertido en su negocio. 11 semanas.Costo: $100 - $350 (Becas disponibles)

SoMa: 3269 Mission St, San Francisco

Mierc 9/7 6-9 p.m. Susana Gama

Richmond: 1500 MacDonald Ave. Richmond

Martes 9/6 6-9 p.m. Susana Gama

Comience y Crezca con ConfianzaEn esta clase usted definir su sueo, escribir una de-claracin de misin y empezar a planificar su negocio. Utilizar un Plan visual para plasmar y desarrollar sus ideas de manera que satisfagan las necesidades de su mercado. Costo: $120 (Becas disponibles)


Martes 9/6 6:30- 9:30 p.m. TBD

Mid-Peninsula, Sequoia Adult School: 3247 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park

Jueves 9/8 6:30- 9:30 p.m. TBD


Lunes 9/12 6:30- 9:30 p.m. TBD

Weebly: La forma ms sencilla de crear un sitio web!En este taller de tres horas para principiantes o exper-tos, usted aprender como planificar, disear, crear, publicar y robustecer la presencia de su sitio web en la red usando el programa Weebly. Costo: $25

Richmond: 1500 MacDonald Ave., Richmond

Mierc 8/17 6:00- 9:00 p.m. Fermin Alvarez

Weebly: The Easiest Way to Make A Website!A hands-on three hour workshop introducing Weebly: The Easiest Way to Create Your Own Website, Blog, or Online Store!Cost: $15Richmond: 1500 MacDonald Ave., Richmond

Wed 7/13 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fermin Alvarez

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Renaissance Wins Lean for Main Street Challenge

By Kareen Boncales

Is there really a demand for your product or service? What problem are you solving and how are your target customers already solving this problem without you? Lean Startup helps new entrepreneurs answer these questions by encouraging them to get outside and talk to actual potential customers. Lots of them!

The Lean Startup philosophy emphasizes the importance of doing customer discovery and validation to determine whether a new product or service has enough customers to make the business viable. For a successful business launch, you must figure out who will be your customers then create a solid action plan to target them. The Lean Startup curriculum will help you to do exactly that.

We are excited to announce that Renaissance Entrepreneur-ship Center won the US SBAs Lean for Main Street compe-tition in February, and was selected to develop and launch our own version of the National Science Foundations Lean Startup curriculum!

Renaissance was one of only five economic development organizations across the U.S. to be given the award, which gave Renaissance the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. and participate in an intensive online training on the Lean Startup curriculum. April Gilbert of Renaissance SoMa and Tim Russell of Renaissance Mid-Peninsula attended the kickoff of the training (See photo in front of the West Wing of the White House with other winners of the SBA award.)

We are piloting the curriculum at our SoMa location starting Monday August 8th. Visit our calendar to sign up!

Welcome to Our New Website

We hope youre excited to use our fresh new website we are! Its easy to navigate and clean with an up-to-date design. We would even say its beautiful. Take a peek at our new and amazing calendar RenCenter.org/Calendar. It was a huge undertaking and we couldnt have done it without the many people involved who made it happen.

Special thanks to our SAP volunteer team lead by Greg Muira and Vickie Brown for making it so feature-rich and user-friendly. Thanks to Erin Kodama, our web developer with her grace under pressure. She launched our site and several others just in the nick of time before giving birth. Congratulations to Erin and her new son! Thanks to Julio Martinez, our graphic designer who has been working with us for years and is al-ways superb in carrying our brand through every assignment. Thanks to Ronan Sberlo of Red Oak Web Design for creating our directory. And finally, special thanks to the Renaissance staff for hard work creating the website, and learning to use our new WordPress content management system. Its no easy feat to learn a new tool. We appreciate you being up for the challenge!

Though weve launched, a website is never done. If you have any feedback, send suggestions to Genessa at [email protected]

For more information:SAP volunteers: Greg Muira and Vickie BrownJulio Martinez, Graphic Design: Juliomartinez.carbonmade.comRonan Sberlo, Red Oak Web Design: RedOakWeb.comErin Kodama, Web Design: ErinKodama.comDirectory: RenCenter.org/Business-DirectoryCalendar: RenCenter.org/Calendar

FeatuRed pRogRams and aCtiVities

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FeatuRed pRogRams and aCtiVities

Discover West Marin, enjoy your stay and SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES.

Download the free app now and find out about great views, unique local merchants and stay updated with the latest Marin County activities.

Go to visitmarin.org/highlights-and-news/visitmarinapp for de-tails or search Visit Marin in iOS or Android stores to download.

visitmarin.org

PHOTO C O U R T E SY O F M ARI N C O N V E N T I O N & V I S I TO RS B U RE AU

The RISE of West MarinSpecial thanks to Wells Fargo for their RISE grant enabling Renaissance to support businesses in West Marin. We reached out to over 100 businesses in the area providing marketing and financial advising, and are promoting the area as a whole by marketing the fantastic Visit Marin app in partnership with the Marin Visitors Bureau.

Hold the Beautiful Marin County in Your Hands!

Renaissance Bay Area Makers PopupOur great thanks to Bank of America for its very generous sponsorship for Renaissances Summer Makers Popup that will be presented, in partnership with Popupsters, Working Solutions, Kiva Zip and The Yard at Mission Rock

Dont wait for a holiday as an excuse to dance to live music, shop from your favorite local vendors, and have a good time - its summer! Come celebrate with us just for fun at Renaissance Bay Area Makers Popup on Saturday, September 10 at The Yard at Mission Rock in San Francisco, next to the AT&T Park.

Shop from over 30 local Bay Area makers

Have fun playing outdoor games in the sun

Dance to live music

Saturday, September 10, 2016 11-6 p.m. The Yard at Mission Rock 3rd St. & Terry A Francois Boulevard, San Francisco

For up-to-date information Visit RenCenter.org/Event/Summer-Makers-Popup-2016/

Co-Working Spaces Available 275 5th Street (at Folsom) San Francisco SoMa

Large Cubicles$400 monthly, $250 weekly, or $50 dailySmall Cubicles$350 monthly, $225 weekly, or $45 daily

$525 - $600 security deposit for long term rental

Workspace Features: Dedicated and flexible spaces available Access from 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday Wireless internet access Lounge area with natural light Quarterly networking event for workspace tenants

In the Neighborhood Three blocks from Market St. and all public transportation Walking distance from the Yerba Buena Gardens Three blocks from the SFMOMA Dozens of cafes, restaurants and bars

Available at Additional cost Access to color printing, copying, scanning and fax

Storage lockers

Private conference room

Large classroom rental

for more information contact: Rob Taylor415.348-6224

[email protected]

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PHOTO BY T RI SH T U N N E Y PH OTO G R APH Y**

ouR Funding Community

Special Thanks: Pam David, Executive Director of the Walter & Elise Haas Fund

Renaissance is delighted to honor Pamela H. David, Executive Director of the Walter & Elise Haas Fund, at our annual event Small Business Big Impact 32:15 on October 6, 2016. The event will celebrate Renaissances thirty-second anniversary and our fifteenth anniversary serving the Bayview Hunters Point community. We would not be celebrating this momentous milestone without trailblazers for social and economic justice like Pam. Her visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to create economic opportunity enabled Renaissance to bring our small business programs and services directly to emerging and established entrepreneurs in the Bayview Hunters Point community in 2001. That support has empowered entrepreneurs and Renaissance recent award winning businesses like Brigette LeBlanc, owner of LeBlanc and Associates; Marcel Banks, owner of Frisco Fried; and Deun-dra and James Hundon, owners of Universal Martial Arts Academy to become successful businessmen and women and leaders in the community. Please join us in thanking Pam and celebrating 32:15.

Small Business BIG IMPACTThursday, October 6, 2016San Francisco Design Center Galleria 6 9:30 pmRenaissances annual fundraising benefit and awards cel-ebration, Small Business- BIG IMPACT will be held on Thursday, October 6th at the San Francisco Design Center Galleria from 6 9:30 p.m.. Renaissance will celebrate two critical milestones: the Thirty-Second Anniversary of Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center and the Fifteenth Anniversary of Renaissance Bayview. We will recognize three extraordinary Renaissance entrepreneurs with our Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, and the Renaissance Pop Up Caf and Marketplace will showcase Renaissance graduates unique food, beverages, products and ser-vices.

For tickets and sponsor opportunities, please visit: RenCenter.org/Annual-Event/

If you have questions, please contact: Development Associate Wendy Guzman [email protected] or 415-348-6209.

Join Us!

Renaissances Annual Event

Small Business BIG IMPACT

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On May 26th, at the home of Board Member Alison Davis, Renaissance launched the Renaissance Womens Leadership Council, a new initiative to support lower-income Bay Area women as they strive to achieve economic independence for themselves and their families through small business owner-ship.

Women gathered from throughout the Bay Area to learn about how Renaissance is expanding programs and services for women, ensuring that all English and Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs have access to Renaissances critical women-focused training, resources, networks and ongoing support necessary for success.

Long-time Renaissance client, Yvonne Hines, owner of Yvonnes Southern Sweets, shared her story with guests. Yvonne always had a passion for making mouthwatering Southern American style homemade sweets. For years, she treated her family and friends, but when Yvonne learned she was pregnant with her daughter and couldnt afford child care on her salary, she started selling her signature pralines at local events. In 2005, Yvonne took the plunge, quit her low-paying job, and came to Renaissance to grow her business. Now, with critical train-ing, resources, networks and ongoing support from Renais-sance, Yvonne is operating a thriving bakery on Bayviews Third Street Corridor.

ouR Funding Community

Renaissance Womens Leadership Council

Well be hosting more house parties and women-focused events. If you are interested in learning more about how you can become a part of the Renaissance Womens Leadership Council, please contact Development Director Amy Harris at 415-348-6207 or [email protected].

Renaissance Launches the Renaissance Womens Leadership CouncilRenaissance would like to thank the following founding mem-bers of the Council for their generosity, vision and leadership in helping women like Yvonne achieve economic mobility, including: Charmaine Detweiler, Chair; Alison Davis; Margot Fraser; Helen Russell; Marjorie Sennett; Nancy Sheppard; and Marion Weinreb.

PHOTO S BY G E N E S SA KE ALO H A**

YvonnesSouthernSweets.com

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Farewell to New Sector Alliance Intern Keith ScottBy Lucero deLeon

As we come close to summer time, we have to say our good-byes to our fabulous New Sector Alliance Intern Keith Scott.

Keith joined Renaissance through the New Sector Alliance 10-month leadership development program designed for people who want to work in the social sector. The program provides trainings about the non-profit sector and participants create a capacity building project. Keiths project resulted in the Access to Capital Resource Guide.

Keith told us that he was drawn to Renaissance because of his interest in our mission. Keith comes from an entrepreneurial family. He has spent time supporting his mother in running her small business and has also worked with entrepreneurs in the Philippines and in Bangladesh.

Keith came to Renaissance in October 2015 and worked at Renaissances Bayview and Richmond centers. His work in Bayview led him to research why people in the neighborhood were having trouble accessing capital for their small busi-nesses. He found that the requirements to obtain a business loan were high and inhibitive for many clients in the Bayview neighborhood. Most aspiring entrepreneurs lacked sufficient collateral, had low credit scores or no credit history. His re-search entailed reaching out to banks and nonprofit lend-ing organizations, and researching scholarly articles about financial services.

As a result, Keith created the Access to Capital Resource Guide for Renaissance clients to understand and get connected to capital based on their particular needs. In the Resource Guide, he includes programs that help bridge the gap through access to capital such as: Neighbor Fund, Kiva, Working Solutions, Lending Circles, Grameen America, Opportunity Fund, Main Street Launch, and many more.

The Renaissance Richmond office received Keiths support twice a week, where he worked on our Data and Evaluation helping to track the intake of new clients, updating information on existing clients, and assessing the efficacy of Renaissances programming through refining our evaluation methods. He also assisted with community outreach and marketing. Keith created a wonderful onboarding package and presentation

inside spotlight

for new interns and volunteers working at Renaissance. Re-naissance Richmond Manager, Bret Sweet tells us Keith is a true problem solver. He uses his intuition and data to identify gaps in systems and produce solutions. When asked what was the greatest reward of interning at Renaissance Keith kindly responded working in communities like Bayview and Richmond, seeing the passion and drive that clients have to start business. It has been rewarding to be part of the process in helping people improve livelihoods.

As for advice for future interns working in non-profits, he states you never know what to expect. Its important to be able to adapt and maintain an entrepreneurial mindset. Be willing to iterate, to try, to fail and dont get bogged down if you make a mistake. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Keith has done such incredible work at Renaissance. Thank you for your contributions and your willingness and your hard work! We wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

FOUR Renaissance businesses were listed in the San Francisco Business Times List of 50 TOP LGBT businesses!

#6 Brendas LLCBrendas French Soul Food: FrenchSoulFood.comBrendas Meat & Three: BrendasMeatAndThree.comLibby Jane Cafe: LibbyJane.com

#34 Red Hill Station: RedHillStation.com

#35 Insymmetry: Insymmetry.com

#35 See Jane Run: SeeJaneRun.com

reSource13

Sandor StrausBoard Chair*Managing MemberTigmera, LLC

Gerry Baraano Treasurer, Vice Chair*PrincipalRevLaunch Company

Sylvie BrillaudExecutive Vice President,Chief Compliance OfficerBank of the West

Bryan Ignozzi*Vice ChairPartnerPriceWaterhouseCoopers

Craig JacobySecretary*PartnerCooley LLP

Philip FrerichAudit ChairRegion Finance ManagerVice President

Robert L. ChanFormer Director of Marketing and National SalesSyncor International

SOMA

Kareen BoncalesProgram Coordinator

April GilbertProgram Director

Ming HuProgram Associate

Lawrence JacksonDoor Monitor

BAYVIEW

Yamilet GonzalezProgram Coordinator

Ericka GreenProgram Coordinator

Kismeth HarrisProgram Assistant

Keith ScottNew Sector Alliance Fellow

Marcus TarttCenter Manager

MID-PENISULA

Jaime CaudilloProgram Assistant

Crystal RasmussenProgram Coordinator

Timothy RussellProgram Director

Luis VizcardoProgram Coordinator

Our Staff Our Board

* Denotes Executive Committee member** Denotes Renaissance graduate

RICHMOND

Lucero deLeonProgram Coordinator

Bret SweetProgram Manager

ORG-WIDE

Fermin AlvarezTAP Program Manager

Aracely BarriosFinance Coordinator

Wendy GuzmanDevelopment Associate

Amy L. HarrisDevelopment Director

Genessa KealohaExecutive Associate

Lisa KirvinManaging Director

Jon Jimenez MacusoImpact Data Analyst

Lucinda MartinHR Manager

Sharon MillerCEO

Philip SmithFinance Director

Robert TaylorFacilities & Operations Manager

Lily TrienensGrants Manager

Special Thanks to Our VolunteersWe are so fortunate to receive help and guidance from our volunteers. Each one is critically important to Renaissance and our clients. Special thanks to those who gave us their extended support in recent months.

Luisa Alberto, Speaker, Fred Arm, Client Consultant, Bianca Cerna, Social Media, Crissie Collins, Marketing Consultant, Nina Cooper, Speaker, Conrad Cheeks, Client Outreach, Sophia Deng, YCore & TAP Program, Charmaine Detweiler, Renaissance Womens Leadership Council Chair, Heidi Gibson, Client Consultant, Noah Gilmore, YCore & TAP Program, Mae Go, Harvard Business School Community Partner, Judi Henderson, Speaker,Rachael Grossman, Fundraising Advisor, Jamie Henson, Client Consultant, EE Hou, YCore & TAP Program, Sophia Lee, YCore & TAP Program, Gail Lillian, Client Consultant, Wendy Lieu, Client Consultant, Nona Lim, Speaker, Trish Lynch, Client Consultant, Raymond Magpantay, Harvard Business School Community Partner, Robin Marks, Client Consultant, Lauren Miller, Client Consultant, Nay Mintin, Impact Data, Xhorxha Nikolli, Marketing & Communications, Molly OKane, Client Consultant, Johanna OKelly, Marketing Consultant, Beth Pride, Client Consultant, Isobel Schofield, Client Consultant, Eloisa Serrano, Client Consultant, Ja Shia, Client Consultant, Don Spradlin, Harvard Business School Community Partner, Kimberly Stevens, Client Consultant, Felicia Vallera, Client Consultant, Alicia Van Fleteren, Client Consultant, Don Weil, Harvard Business School Community Partner, Kota Yamazaki, Digital Marketing Strategist, Ellen Yan, YCore & TAP Program, Sharon Zimmerman, Client Consultant

Alison DavisManaging PartnerFifth Era

Feleciai Favroth**President & CEOSkincare by Feleciai

Lynn FernandezSenior Vice PresidentRetail Bank AdministrationComerica Bank

Neal Gottlieb**Founding TwinThree Twins Ice Cream

Ashley GrechArea ManagerSan Francisco &North PeninsulaJP Morgan Chase Business Banking

Roland PanTechnology Executive

Laura ThompsonPrincipalThompson Concepts Group

Feliciano Zavala**Founder & OwnerPeninsula Party Rentals

Renaissance Soma

275 5th Street San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 541-8580

Renaissance Mid-Peninsula

1848 Bay Road East Palo Alto, CA 94303

(650) 321-2193

Renaissance Richmond

1500 MacDonald Avenue Richmond, CA 94801

(510) 221-2000

Renaissance Bayview

India Basin Plaza 1325-B Evans Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94124 (415) 647-3728

Renaissance has helped over 10,000 Bay Area Businesses.

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resource july-september 2016 | building bridges issue

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