REAL People’s Fund Small Business Support Circle: Monday April 4th @ 10:30AM - 12:30PM

Deadline to sign up is Friday, April 1st

Join the REAL People’s Fund Small Business Support Circle on Monday, April 4th from 10:30AM - 12:30PM

Over the last 4 years, we have been part of a movement to build a restorative and inclusive economy. The REAL People’s Fund is a revolutionary community capital program offering equitable access to finance for small businesses in the historically disinvested East Bay communities of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Starting this spring, we are excited to offer our first small business support circle to BIPOC entrepreneurs and business owners in Oakland.

This is a 2-hour facilitated session hosted by members of the REAL People’s Fund, Jessie & Tash. We are creating space for BIPOC entrepreneurs and small businesses owners to connect, learn, and share small business reflections. We will carve out time to share about the work of REAL People’s Fund and opportunities for learning and engagement.

This support circle will be held indoors and masks required. We also ask participants to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours. Nourishing snacks and lunch will be provided. Email Jessie at jessie@restoreoakland.org to sign up, or reach out for questions. Space is limited. Location and event details shared upon confirmation. Deadline to sign up is Friday, April 1st.

EN Español:

El REAL People’s Fund les invita a unirse al Grupo de Apoyo Para Negocios Pequeños el lunes 4 de abril de 10:30AM - 12:30PM

Durante los últimos 4 años, Restore Oakland ha sido parte de un movimiento para crear una economía restaurativa e inclusiva. El REAL People’s Fund es un programa revolucionario de capital comunitario que ofrece acceso equitativo a finanzas para negocios pequeños en las comunidades de los condados de Alameda y Contra Costa, los cuales han sido históricamente desinvertidos.  Empezando esta primavera, con mucha emoción les ofrecemos nuestro primer grupo de apoyo para empresarios y proprietarios indigenas, negros y gente de color en Oakland.

El grupo será una sesión de 2 horas presentada por miembros del REAL People’s Fund, Jessie, y Tash. Ofreceremos un espacio donde los empresarios y dueños de negocios pequeños puedan conectarse, aprender y compartir reflexiones.. También hablaremos sobre el trabajo del REAL People’s Fund y ofreceremos oportunidades para aprender y participar.

El grupo de apoyo será adentro y se requiere el uso de cubrebocas. También exigimos muestra de vacunación o una prueba negativa de COVID en las últimas 72 horas. Bocadillos y almuerzo serán servidos.

Favor de mandar un correo electrónico a Jessie (jessie@restoreoakland.org) para registrarse o si tiene preguntas. Cupo limitado. Dirección y detalles serán compartidos después de su confirmación. La fecha límite para registrarse es el viernes, 1 de abril. 

CalSavers Trains The Trainers April 7th 11:30 AM (Retirement Savings Program)

Join CAMEO & CalSavers (Retirement Savings Program) on April 7, 2022 at 11:30AM for their CalSavers Train the Trainer webinar.

Businesses with 5 or more employees are going to be required to have a retirement plan by June 30, 2022. Learn how to help your businesses enroll in the CalSavers program. It's easy!

Speaker, Jonathan Herrera is the Director of Outreach and Education for CalSavers, the State’s pioneering retirement savings program which will provide a path to retirement security for over seven million Californians who lack access to a retirement savings plan at work. Jonathan has over 20 years of experience working in personal, small business, and government finance.

Register Here

Love On Local Spotlights Sign Up Form for April: Eco-Conscious Awareness

Hi Members,

Each month OIA and Keep It Oakland have been working together to feature indie business members based on a monthly theme - April 2022 is Eco-Conscious Awareness. Does your small business center or pride itself on eco-friendly, cruelty-free, locally sourced goods and/or practices? If so, we want to spotlight you this month!

Please fill out and submit this form before Thursday April 7th 2022.

Thank you all!

Sincerely,

The OIA Team

Statewide 'Responsible Beverage Service' Training Assembly Bill 1221 Now Happening

From ABC License Company:

If you are not yet aware, we wanted to introduce you to the "RBS" or Responsible Beverage Service. This statewide certification will soon be required of most on-sale retail hospitality employees. Courses and tests are now open for those of you who want to beat the rush. 

This is any employee involved in on-site alcohol service and any manager who manages these employees. Servers, bartenders, barbacks, and security pros who checks IDs– and their managers– must be certified. 

Here's an FAQ on the ABC's site. RBS FAQ

Important dates:

July 1, 2022 60-day deadline officially begins

August 31, 2022 all current employees must be certified

60 days after employment all new employees must be certified

There are about 35 companies approved to provide the 4-hour training, some in person, some live online, and some pre-recorded online. It costs between $12 and $25 per person for the training, and the test, which is given by ABC online, is $3.

This is new, and so we unfortunately cannot vouch for any test providers personally, but I went through the list and there were a few that stood out that I wanted to highlight.

1. COMEDY SELLER SERVER - a $12.99 self-paced course that looks.... fun? A company that can make test prep "educational and funny" is right up our alley. We can appreciate this as notaries. Laughing keeps us from crying.

2. CENTRAL COAST RBS - The only provider I see who is retired ABC enforcement. This could be a great opportunity for your staff to meet someone who really understands the ethos of ABC enforcement, and will likely deliver a tailored and effective training to stay on the good side of the ABC officers long-term.

3. GET RBS - Get RBS certified by an Emmy-award winning journalist! The difference between remembering course material and forgetting it immediately is a compelling instructor, and Cristina Mendonsa looks like she can deliver on this.

Many providers do offer discounts for group courses, so if you opt to offer the training to your staff at one time, be sure to ask for that. ABC is also recommending you speak to your HR Attorney about whether you pay staff for the time to take the course or require they do it outside of work hours. See the LICENSEE FAQ on that issue.

As I said, there are others that may suit your business better. Here's a link to all the providers. 

I'm sure you'll have a lot of questions as you figure this out. We are here as a resource to help you understand the program. We went to several of the preparation meetings and have good connections with the team behind it at ABC. (They are also the team who helped prep ABC to accept online payments.) The intent of this legislation is to reduce alcohol-related fatalities in California, and similar programs have been effective in other states.

As painful as it is going to be at first, this can be a good training opportunity to help empower your staff to be safe servers and keep the patron shenanigans to a minimum.

If you have any questions, reach out to Jemma Jorel Lester: jemma@abclicensecompany.com

Flex Streets Initiative Continues Unchanged into 2023

On March 15, the Oakland City Council passed a series of Ordinances to make the Flex Street Initiative a permanent option for businesses to use outdoor public rights-of-way.

Since launching in June 2020, the streamlined Flex Street permit processes have helped Oakland businesses weather the pandemic by expanding their operations outdoors through 140 sidewalk cafes and parklets, 13 street closures, 14 permitted private spaces and more than 60 mobile food truck permits.

The existing permit programs will remain mostly unchanged and free through July 2023. Businesses interested in expanding their operations outdoors should apply at www.oaklandca.gov/flexstreets

Read the Full Press Release >

Oakland Cocktail Week Is Back! (May 2nd to the 8th, 2022)

Attention Venues,

You probably received the Oakland Cocktail Week email last week. Please be sure to check your listing and that you are happy with the description.

If you don’t see your venue, please add to the sheet.

The map featuring all venues goes live 3/28 as well as the marketing campaign announcing the return of Cocktail Week to the public.

If you think your business might have a bartender interested in competing in the Town Throwdown Cocktal Competition and learn more about ways your bar can be more involved this year please email raquel@oaklandcocktailweek.com

Target Forward Founders Accelerators Program (Deadline: 03/21/22)

Target Forward Founders - Target Accelerators

About the program:
Target Forward Founders is the accelerator program for early-stage CPG companies looking to better understand retail. It’s designed to help historically under-resourced founders be the next wave of wealth-building companies.

Program dates: May 24, 2022 – July 14, 2022

• 8-week virtual startup accelerator program

• Sessions are scheduled 5 – 8pm CST Tuesday and Wednesday evenings with optional office hours on Thursdays

• Requires about 10 – 15 hours per week

• 30 companies will be accepted

• Up to 2 members of each company can join

• During all 8 weeks, at least 1 founder needs to attend all required sessions

• Free to participating companies

• Each company is given a $5,000 stipend

Eligibility:

Target Accelerators are looking for future-shapers of all kinds, but there are a few important things that we want to see from applicants. Final selections will also be made based on team, assortment, innovation pipeline, traction and potential for growth.

• Open to all product categories available at Target except car seats, shoes, strollers, books, movies, music, video games, bath, bedding, furniture, heating, cooling, air quality, home appliances, kitchen and dining.

• Must have an LLC, C-Corp, B-Corp, S-Corp or other registered entity

• Must be 18 years or older

• Must currently have a physical product that is available to sell

• Must have the desire to sell products in mass retail one day

• Must sell directly to consumer online, in specialty store or have limited brick and mortar presence (<20 stores)

• Ideally have less than 6 employees

• Ideally have lifetime revenue of $5,000 – $500,000

• Must not be a current vendor at Target

• Ideally you have limited/no manufacturing and supply chain capabilities

Start your application here!

Deadline: 03/21/22

Learn more and apply here!

If you have questions about your eligibility, please visit their FAQs or email accelerators@target.com

OIA Quarterly Member Meeting from 3/7/22 Is Now Available

Watch the Oakland Indie Alliance Quarterly Member Meeting from 3/7/2022 here.

Passcode: 8VE2.qo1

Virtual Member Meeting on March 7th @ 10-11 AM

We hope you’ll be able to attend the first Member Meeting of the year via zoom March 7th from 10 to 11 AM :-)

Register for member meetings here!

There will be 2 guest speakers speaking about the Oakland Small Business Tax as well as DOT Loading Zones.

Have topics you want to discuss during our next member meeting? Submit your item in the form

Legal Services for Entrepreneurs March Workshops and Clinics (March 8th and 17th)

Bankruptcy Seminar

Tuesday, March 8th @ 3-4 PM

Join LSE from 3-4 PM for a virtual workshop. This webinar will provide small business owners with a basic understanding of the bankruptcy process. It will be offered in English with simultaneous interpretation in Spanish and Cantonese. Registration in advance is required.

Register Here

Legal Clinic

Thursday, March 17th @ 4-6 PM

Join LSE from 4-6 PM for a small business legal clinic. Pro-bono attorneys will be available to provide legal consultation to small businesses. Registration in advance is required. Spots are limited. Interpretation is available if needed.

Register Here

2022 OAKLAND RESTAURANT WEEK: MARCH 18TH TO THE 27TH

Attention Restaurants! The deadline to register for 2022 Oakland Restaurant Week is Friday March 4th!

Register Here

UPDATE: "Oakland will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter restaurants, gyms" Proof of vaccination will be required beginning Feb. 1, and also applies to bars, concert venues, senior centers, and more. See article here (Published by The Oaklandside, December 21, 2021)

Help Support Kume Spa

*Please be advised that the following involves gun violence*

On February 1st, our fellow OIA Member, Kume Spa was tragically the location of a workplace act of violence. You can read their official statement in the image below.

Please contribute in any way you can to help them get through this tragic and immensely difficult time. They are in need of community love and support.

Help Joe(Hai Mu) with His Road to Recovery

Donate to Kume Spa and Affected Employees

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Be a Sponsor for Oakland Strokes, Youth Rowing Program

Oakland Strokes is Oakland’s Youth rowing program that provides student athletes of all backgrounds and abilities the opportunity to row, develop and commit to a team that competes at a national level.

This program fosters strength of character, a strong work ethic, self confidence, and a respect for others. Oakland Strokes is committed to making rowing more accessible and equitable for the Oakland community and has launched a new STEM to Stern program which eliminates the barriers to entry by providing transportation, snacks, mentorship, gear, and scholarships to middle schoolers from underserved neighborhoods in the city. They are currently working with over a dozen seventh and eighth graders from Kipp Bridge Academy, Coliseum College Prep Academy, and East Oakland Youth Development Center.

This wouldn’t be possible without the students themselves, volunteer coaches and STEM facilitators from the community and UC Berkeley.

They want to celebrate the success of their inaugural year with a meal, custom T-Shirt, or some other token of appreciation, so they are reaching out to the Oakland Small Business community to see if anyone would like to donate, connect with these amazing athletes, and engage with the efforts of the program! Please fill out the Sponsorship Form if you are interested in helping!

Oakland Strokes - STEM to Stern Sponsorship Form Link

Please contact Alexander Richards with any questions.

Email: arichards@oaklandstrokes.org // Cell: 617-699-1881

Legal Services for Entrepreneurs: Commercial Lease and ADA Compliance 2/23 at 3 PM

Click image to register

Invest In Our Oakland Small Business Tax Relief Act

The Invest In Our Oakland Small Business Tax Relief Act would raise over $40 million to protect Oakland’s essential city services and cut taxes on small businesses, by making sure the biggest corporations are paying their fair share in taxes without increasing the taxes paid by homeowners and renters.

Please visit the site for more details: investinouroakland.com

Voice Your Support! Parklet Extension Going to City Council on 2/22/2022

The extension for parklets and the option to make them permanent is going to the Community and Economic Development committee on Tuesday, February 22nd.

Please put this on your calendar to voice your support at 1:30 PM during the comment period.

The agenda may not be posted yet, but it will be on this page. Please keep checking periodically.

Omicron Checklist For Employers by CAMEO

For The Full Post, Please Visit:

Enhanced Protections to Help Meet This Moment

“Whether your company already has a vaccination policy in place or not, here are steps you can take right now to protect the health of your workers and your business:

1. Make it easier for employees to get vaccinated and boosted, either on-site at the workplace or in the community, by offering paid time off for vaccinations and recovery. Make it easier for working parents to vaccinate eligible children (5 and up for vaccination; 12 and up for boosters).
   

2. Consider weekly testing for all employees, regardless of vaccination status, at in-person job sites.
   

3. Help your workers access free at-home tests. Beginning today, January 18, every home in the U.S. can order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests through covidtests.gov. Those tests will be completely free—no shipping costs, no need to enter a credit card number.
   

4. Help your workers navigate reimbursable home tests. As of January 15, private health insurers are required to cover the costs of up to eight COVID-19 tests per month. Make sure employees know what your health plans require of them, which may include keeping the test box, as well as receipts, or buying from in-network stores. (For workers who may not have private health insurance, employers should consider covering the cost of weekly testing.)
   

5. Support employees’ ability to quarantine for five days if they have been exposed by allowing them to stay away from others. Encourage them to wear a well-fitting mask, even after five days of isolation.
   

6. Support employees’ ability to isolate if they are sick or test positive, even if they do not have symptoms. And again, encourage them to wear a well-fitting mask, after those five days of isolation.
   

7. Implement social distancing in all communal work areas for unvaccinated and otherwise at-risk workers.
   

8. Require a mask indoors and provide workers with well-fitting masks. N95 and KN95-rated masks are the most effective.
   

9. Communicate your COVID-19 policies and procedures using accessible formats and in languages they understand.
   

10. Maintain and improve ventilation systems. Proper ventilation can be another part of your strategy to reduce the concentration of viral particles in the air.
    

11. Perform routine cleaning and disinfection. If someone who has been in the workplace within 24 hours has tested positive for COVID-19 or has COVID-19 symptoms, follow the CDC cleaning and disinfection recommendations.
    

12. Record and report COVID-19 infections and deaths to local public health authorities.
    

13. Implement protections from retaliation and set up an anonymous process for workers to voice concerns about COVID-19-related hazards.”

NextGen Business Initiative Program

USF’s Gellert Family Business Center, in collaboration with nonprofit organization InnerWill, has launched the NextGen Business Initiative (NGBI). The NGBI is designed for emerging family business members, ages 25–45, looking to successfully transition into leadership roles within their firms.  

The NGBI is a 9-month program. It opens and closes with face-to-face retreats and the cohort meets monthly for expert-led educational sessions. Each participant will be matched with a certified leadership coach. Between sessions, the coach will work with the next gen leader to identify goals, practice new skills, gather feedback, and make aligned choices to bring about personal growth and success. Participants will also observe live case studies of successful family businesses, hear from other local business and community leaders and connect with a peer group designed to sustain engagement post-NGBI.

NGBI Program tuition is arranged on a sliding scale, based upon your company’s annual gross receipts. Needs-based financial assistance is available to ensure the inclusion of participants from smaller family-owned firms. After you submit your application, we will arrange a phone interview to discuss tuition and payment arrangements.

More Info and Apply Here

E14th Eatery + Kitchen: Community Kitchen / Small Business Incubator

Calling all food business owners!

Are you a resident of unincorporated Alameda County looking to grow your small business?

The E14th Eatery + Kitchen (formerly Ashland Market and Cafe) is excited to open applications for prospective kiosk vendors to be part of our food business incubator!

WHO ARE WE? - Mandela Partners supports building local wealth by sourcing from sustainable farmers, creating affordable food access points, incubating community businesses, and increasing capital for BIPOC entrepreneurs in West Oakland and greater unincorporated Alameda county. In 2019, Mandela Partners opened the E14th Eatery + Kitchen (formerly known as the Ashland Market & Cafe) as a food business incubator and community kitchen located in unincorporated Ashland. Before applying, we encourage you to read more about the history, details, and mission of E14th Eatery + Kitchen by reading the following link below. Learn more about all of Mandela Partners' resources and programs by visiting our website, mandelapartners.org Summary of E14th Eatery + Kitchen
We are currently seeking to fill one of our kiosk spaces with a local food-entrepreneur!

An ideal candidate meets the following criteria :
• Operates or has a desire to operate a prepared food business
• Lives in unincorporated Ashland/Cherryland communities
• Identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color
• Is eager to learn & collaborate with an open mind
• Is low-income by Alameda County HUD* standards
• Has made sales** or has actively market-tested their concept

* Alameda County HUD - 2021 Low income limits summary URL
**Total sales should not exceed $50,000 for 2021

Selected entrepreneurs have the opportunity to ...

• Market test their menu for the local community in a low-cost rent space

• Collaborate with other food business owners in events and special promotions

• Receive ongoing small business coaching from the Business Development team at Mandela Partners

Applications are now LIVE and will be available for submission until Monday, February 14.

Application Scoring Sheet

~ APPLY HERE ~

EBCE’s Induction Cooking Rebate

East Bay Community Energy Business Programs: Upgrade to a Digital Kitchen

Make the move toward powerful induction cooking in your commercial kitchen with a rebate from EBCE. Receive up to $17,500 of project costs to cover induction and electrical materials & equipment.

This is a limited-time program available to EBCE customers until funds are exhausted. Rebates are available for both installed induction cooktops and ranges and portable single- or multi-element cooktops. For full program details, please see the linked program fact sheet below.

Rebate Fact Sheet (PDF)

Apply Now