Craft Inc.

Recommeded book for anyone interested in how you can move from Hobby/Dream to Business Reality. See how other great crafters did it so you can join the movement!

Creative Brain vs. The "Business" Brain

Most experts say we operate in two hemispheres, the left brain or right brain. The left specializes in academic - language and mathematical process, logical thoughts and analysis...
The right is concerned with "creative" activities:rhythm, music, color, ...crafts!

The weaker side is suppose to stimulate and encourage cooperation with the stronger side...balance, right!

Right now with all the rain, politics, mortgage melt down, possible recession etc, etc... plus having to manage/grow/start a business are my fellow crafting Diva's on creative overload?

Maybe it's just the rain

Resource List

The Bay Area has several organizations that can help make 2008 the year your Business Starts, Expands or Demands what it or you need. The following list several key resource within the Bay Area that are here to help you look back on 2008 with no regrets...only accomplishments

AnewAmerica Community Corporation offers a three-year training program for immigrant entrepreneurs. Their services include a matching savings incentive under the IDA program Loan Program Located at 1918 University Ave., Suite 3ABerkeley, CA 94704 Telephone: (510) 540-7785Toll Free: (510) 540-7785Website: http://www.anewamerica.org/

Bay Area World Trade Center strengthens the process of global commerce for local companies by tapping into a network of business, economic, and political resources both locally and internationally in more than 100 countries. The BAWTC provides professional services and expertise to small and medium-sized businesses with their import and export needs. 544 Water StreetOakland, CA 94607 Telephone: (510) 251-5900Website: http://www.bawtc.com/education.asp?PartnerID=

Businesses for Sale site provides a variety of businesses for sale throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Search by county, type, and size of business. Over 30 new businesses for sale are added daily. This site lists businesses for sale by owner, business brokers and agents. Articles, resources, and workshops are included on this site. Website: http://www.bizben.com/

Buying & Selling A Business Information - Blog is a syndicated small business blog provides the latest tips, updates, and events pertaining to selling & buying a small to mid-sized businesses for sale. Website: http://www.usabizmart.com/blog

Are you interested in starting a small business in the East Bay? This site is dedicated to providing information about, and links to, helpful services and local agencies located in much of the East Bay. Website: http://www.eastbayliving.org/

Entrepreneur Center - East Bay The East Bay Entrepreneur Center is a multimedia library with free computers and books to help people write business plans, conduct research on business ideas, and connect with business counselors. 519 17th Street, 2nd FloorOakland, CA 94612 Telephone: (510) 273-6010

Other locations include: Entrepreneur Center - San Francisco
The SBA Entrepreneur Center provides assistance with business research and planning and provides more than 2,000 small business planning tools combined with free counseling and business seminars at no or nominal cost. The Center offers a variety of programs and seminars introducing small business clients to the latest in computer technology, management concepts, financial planning and related topics. Other resources include computers, software applications and a comprehensive business reference library to assist in the preparation of a workable business plan. 455 Market St., Suite 600San Francisco, CA 94105 Telephone: (415) 744-4242 Website: http://app1.sba.gov/calendar/states/calendar.cfm?op=group&grp=13

Entrepreneur Center - San Jose
The SBA • Cisco Systems • San Jose Entrepreneur Center is a collaborative effort between the public sector, private industry and non-profit organizations to provide small business owners with the resources information and tools they need to be successful. Together, the sponsors and contributors have developed a one-stop location where start-up and existing businesses can come to fulfill all their needs-from financing to training to expert consulting to technology information and tools to the latest resources available on the market. 84 W. Santa Clara St.San Jose, CA 95113 Telephone: (408) 494-0210 Website: http://www.ecenteronline.org/

The Federal Technology Center (The FTC) is a not-for-profit public benefit corporation that promotes economic development in California by teaching small businesses how to successfully compete for government contracts. Since the Federal government spends more than $500 billion on goods and services every year, The FTC increases the potential of these dollars being brought to California. 4700 Roseville Road, Suite 105North Highlands, CA 95660 Telephone: (916) 334-9388Website: http://www.theftc.org/

Inner City Advisors
Inner City Advisors (formerly Oakland Advisors) works with selected inner city businesses that require direct networking connections, specific technical advice, infrastructure guidance, and other board-level access and support. The organization utilizes a pool of over 30 volunteer professionals who provide pro bono consulting, business advice, referrals, technical assistance and mentoring to client companies who face the challenges of strategic planning, product distribution, marketing, communications, management information systems, customer identification, financial analysis, legal matters, human resources and other business areas.300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 260Oakland, CA 94612 Contact: Jose CoronaTelephone: (510) 271-0142Fax: (510) 271-0168 Website: http://www.innercityadvisors.org/

Internet Business Advice Sites
Website: http://www.bizben.com/listings/san-francisco-bay-area.php

Micromentor
Micromentor helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses through mentoring relationships with experienced business professionals. The Micromentor volunteers their time to meaningfully impact the lives of those new to the world of small business.275 Fifth StreetSan Francisco , CA 94103 Contact Information:Website: www.MicroMentor.orgEmail: info@micromentor.orgPhone: 415-692-4840

Mission Economic Development Association (MEDA)
The Mission Economic Development Association (MEDA) is a community-based, local economic development corporation located in the Mission District of San Francisco. MEDA provides small business technical assistance, loan packaging and advocacy targeted at minority and women-owned businesses in San Francisco. 3505 20th StreetSan Francisco, CA 94110 Telephone: (415) 282-3334Website: http://www.medasf.org/

My Own Business
My Own Business, Inc. (MOBI) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to providing free training and resources to aspiring entrepreneurs. If you take a moment to look at their website, you will see that we offer a great deal of valuable content. The cornerstone of MOBI is a FREE 12-Session online business course that teaches everything from "Deciding on a Business" to "Business Planning" to "e-Commerce. 13181 Crossroads Parkway NorthSuite 190City of Industry, CA 91746 Telephone: (562)463-1800Fax: (562)463-1802Website: http://www.myownbusiness.org/

Oakland Public Library: Science/Business Unit
The Oakland Public Library has resources for startup and existing businesses in Oakland. The library also has lists of businesses that salespeople can download for prospective customers.125 14th Street, 2nd FloorOakland, CA 94612 Telephone: (510) 238-3177 Website: http:///www.oaklandlibrary.org/Seasonal/Sections/sbss.html

Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center's ever-expanding offerings are tailored to the small business owner and include classroom training, business incubation, financing assistance and computer training.275 5th StreetSan Francisco, CA 94103 Telephone: (415) 541-8580Website: http://www.rencenter.org/home.htm

SCORE - East Bay SCORE (Senior Corps of Retired Executives) provides free one-on-one counseling to start-up and established business owners. SCORE's experienced business experts provide general business advice on every aspect of business including: how to write a business plan, cash flow management, etc. Clients are matched with counselors with specific applicable experience whenever possible. SCORE also provides workshops on starting and managing a small business. Call to schedule an appointment. 519 17th Street, Oakland, CA 94612 Telephone: (510) 273-6611

SCORE - San Francisco
455 Market Street, Suite 600San Francisco, CA 94105 Telephone: (415) 744-6827Website: http://www.sfscore.com/

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - Contra Costa County
The Contra Costa SBDC offers classes, free consulting services and business planning resources for small businesses throughout Contra Costa County. Telephone: (925) 646-5377Fax: (925) 646-5299Website: http://www.contracostasbdc.com/

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - Cal State East Bay
The Cal State East Bay SBDC offers classes, free consulting services and business planning resources for small businesses throughout Alameda County. Taught by experienced faculty, including Cal State East Bay professors and industry experts, SBDC classes are tailored to fit entrepreneurs in any stage of the business development process. East Bay SBDC consultants specialize in reviewing business plans, financial projections, market research, marketing plans and business strategy. Their consulting services are offered free of charge to small businesses throughout Alameda County. 475 14th St., # 150Oakland, CA 94612 Telephone: (510) 208-0410Website: http://www.eastbaysbdc.org/

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - San Francisco Workshops and Seminars include: • How To Start and Manage a Small Business • Writing Effective Business Plans • Export/Import • E-Commerce 455 Market Street, 6th FloorSan Francisco, CA 94105 Telephone: (415) 744-8427

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - Solano County
Offers training and counseling in the areas of researching, analyzing, planning, starting, operating or buying an existing small business. In addition, we provide help in the areas of marketing, basic bookkeeping, financing, hiring employees, government procurement and many other topics.424-C Executive Court NorthFairfield, CA 94534 Telephone: (707) 864-3382Website: http://www.solanosbdc.org/

Start Up East Palo Alto
Start Up is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote economic development in and around East Palo Alto, California by providing training, capital, and other assistance to help establish and support locally-owned and operated small businesses. 2111 University Avenue, Suite AEast Palo Alto,, CA 94303 Telephone: (650) 321-2193 Website: http://www.startupepa.org/

Technology Advisory Program (TAP)
TAP provides FREE technology consulting services to small businesses across the San Francisco Bay Area. With offices in San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland, TAP is a government-funded, unbiased management consulting practice specializing in improving business operations84 W. Santa Clara St., Suite 100San Jose, CA 95113 Contact: Andrea Peiro, Director Telephone: (408) 494-0212 Website: http://www.sbdctap.com/

USABizMart
This website lists businesses for sale throughout California and the Nation.Website: http://www.usabizmart.com/

West Company
West Company is a nonprofit economic development organization serving microenterprise owners in Northern California's Mendocino County. Through the business training and consulting program, West Company assists clients in the development of a business plan for both start-up and expansion purposes. West makes individual microloans to business owners that have gone through their training program and assists with the formation of flexible business networks. There is also an office on the Coast: 306 E. Redwood Ave., Suite 2 Fort Bragg, CA 95437 Phone: 707-964-7571367 N. State Street, Suite 201Ukiah, CA 94102 Contact: Ukiah OfficeTelephone: 707-468-3553Website: http://www.westcompany.org/

Women's Initiative for Self-Employment (WISE)
Women's Initiative for Self Employment is a private, non-profit agency providing comprehensive business training in English and Spanish, on-going technical assistance and financing to San Francisco Bay Area low-income women.519 17th St, Suite 110Oakland, CA 94612 Telephone: (415) 641-3460Website: http://www.womensinitiative.org/

Oakland Resources

Doing Business in Oakland

http://www.business2oakland.com/main/businessassistance.htm

http://www.oakland1stop.org/

Oakland Business Development CorporationThe Oakland Business Development Corporation (OBDC) manages all business loans under $249,500 for the City of Oakland. OBDC provides business assistance to entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional bank financing. To learn more about their loan products, business assistance services, and business resources, visit www.obdc.com or call 510.763.4297.