New Address: Two Embarcadero Center, 8th floor, San Francisco, CA 94111     

Tim Obert & Clint Potter, Seven Stills Brewery

Seven Stills Brewery began as a bootstrapped business in a garage, making whiskeys from craft beers. Tim Obert and Clint Potter, who became friends at UC Santa Cruz, started brewing and distilling for fun at Clint’s parents’ house in Novato. 

How Can Consumers Support Their Local Economy?

Those of us in the micro business sector know how important it is for communities and individuals to support their local shops, restaurants, and other businesses. After all, it’s our bread and butter. But – how do we make the case to someone who isn’t as plugged in to the issues surrounding small businesses and

Independent Entrepreneurs: Policy Myths, Realities, and Success

July has been a month all about independent entrepreneurs – with a bill that is getting lots of media attention and two CAMEO activities promoting success for independents. Policy AB 5 (Gonzalez) is a bill working its way through the California legislature that will re-define how employees and independent contractors are defined. AB 5 reinforces

What do Women Entrepreneurs Need to Grow?

Invest in Women Entrepreneurs Initiative (I-WE) publishes first study on what women business owners actually need to grow. By Claudia Viek, Founder/Catalyst, Invest in Women Entrepreneurs Initiative and former CEO of CAMEO Women-owned businesses with revenues between $250,000 and $5 million struggle to find the loans they need to grow their businesses – that’s according to

Karim Kaderali, Santa Barbara Axxess

Santa Barbara Axxess was founded by Karim Kaderali and a friend in Santa Barbara, California in 1999. By creating an upscale local Membership Program that was unique and trackable, they figured out how to bring local businesses the right local customers. Shortly after launch, they received a startup loan from WEV to print the physical books for their members.

2019 Prosperity Now Scorecard Shows Business Value Gap Is Real

Prosperity Now has released the local-level data for their 2019 Scorecard, a comprehensive tool that shows the financial well-being of households in the U.S., measured across five issue areas: Financial Assets & Income; Businesses & Jobs; Homeownership & Housing; Health Care and Education. The state-level data was released in January, with California ranking at #18

Small Business Amendments in NDAA Bill Passed by House

On Friday, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on a 220-197 vote with no Republican support. Several small business amendments are part of the package, including: Report on Contracts Awarded to 8(a) Small Businesses – Requires a report as to the number of contracts awarded to program participants under the 8(a)