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Election Implications and Small Biz Saturday

  • 2014 Election Implications
  • Workforce Opportunity in California
  • Shop Small Business Saturday
  • The Goodies – This week’s highlight includes two new resources for your programs: a client tracking tool from Aspen’s FIELD Institute and CFED’s Story Bank.

2014 Election Implications

Everyone probably knows by now that the House and the Senate are both under Republican control. But did you know that there are 100 women in the Congress for the first time, including 18 African-American women? With small business being a non-partisan issue and one of such importance to women, we’re looking forward to the changes and challenges of the new Congress.

In fact, when Claudia was in DC last week, CAMEO’s name came up as a stakeholder in a meeting with the incoming chair of the House Small Business Committee, Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH). Our man in DC, Martin Feeney of Madison Services Group, says that these major shifts in power bring new opportunities.

First, we have an opportunity to talk about microbusinesses to a whole host of new Members and their staffs. Second, Republicans are pledging a more orderly and predictable budget and appropriations process given that they will control both Houses of Congress. That would be exceptionally good news for our policy work because of the importance of PRIME, the Microloan Program, the Community Advantage Program, the CDFI fund, Women’s Business Centers, Boots to Business Program, and the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program [in creating economic opportunities.]

You can read more of Martin’s analysis of the midterm elections on our website.

Workforce Opportunity in California

CAMEO has worked hard to integrate self-employment and entrepreneurial training into the workforce system. California Community Colleges Board of Governors established a task force to develop policies that will prepare more students for existing high value jobs and promote job creation with workforce training that sparks small business development. They are holding a series of stakeholder meetings over the next couple of months that you can attend. RSVP and learn more by clicking on the link. Entrepreneurship needs to be at the table!

  • Bay Region 12/1, 12/8, 2/6
  • Central Valley/Mother Lode 12/10
  • Inland Empire 1/16
  • Los Angeles/Orange County 12/4, 2/3
  • North Far North 1/9
  • San Diego/Imperial 11/21
  • South Central 1/29

Shop Small Business Saturday

In California businesses and neighborhoods have joined together to make Saturday, November 29th, 2014 a banner day for small businesses.

Don’t forget, November 29 is Small Business Saturday. You can directly support small businesses by shopping and dining at your favorite local store or cafe’. American Express Cardholders should watch out for information on how to register their cards to get $10 back three times when shopping at three different small businesses on November 29th (a total of $30 in statement credits.)

Also please help spread the word!

Sample Facebook Posts

  • Nov 29 is Small Business Saturday! Mark your calendar to #ShopSmall on the big day and support your favorite small businesses. You can also head to ShopSmall.com for more ways to get involved.
  • Attention biz owners! The American Independent Business Alliance offers a free guide to help you make the #ShopSmall message prominent in your community. Prep your clients’ businesses with tips.
  • Your favorite local goodies are waiting for you right around the corner. On #SmallBizSat, Nov 29, #ShopSmall and fill your day, and your shopping bags, with neighborly love.

Sample Twitter Messages

  • Get your neighborhood to #ShopSmall with you on Nov 29 by sharing what makes your business unique.
  • Small Business Saturday is Nov 29! It’s the big day to #ShopSmall and support your local businesses. ShopSmall.com
  • What small business are you planning to #ShopSmall at this #SmallBizSat?

The Goodies

New opportunities for training, conference information, funding, scholarships, and other information that have crossed our desks since the last Must Know. I have posted a running tab of current Industry Goodies on the CAMEO website that lists items that were in past emails. Check it out to make sure you’re not missing anything, like grants whose deadlines are still alive!

Outcome Tracking Tool: Do you need credible data on your organization’s micro and small business outcomes to support fundraising and program management? FIELD’s new EntrepreneurTracker tool offers an affordable way to collect credible, standardized outcomes information and share the power of your work. Check out their one-page summary to get a visual idea of what EntrepreneurTracker is all about.

CFED’s Story Bank: CFED’s new Story Bank is a searchable collection of stories from our partners that highlight their work with savers, and is a resource for people in field looking to demonstrate the impact of their work. Check out the story submissions page for an opportunity to have your clients’ story featured. Of particular interest to our sector is the entrepreneurship topic – small business owners working to build stronger balance sheets.

Healthcare Webinars: The Small Business Administration and Small Business Majority are helping businesses navigate health care through the webinar series What the Healthcare Law Means For Your California Small Business . It’s every two weeks in English. The next ones are on December 3, 2014 at 10:00am and December 17, 2014 at 10:00am.

New Report: As part of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) commitment to strengthening rural economies, Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new state-by-state “Made in Rural America” report illustrating the impact of USDA investments in rural communities. Download the California factsheet that highlights specific USDA investments in rural businesses, manufacturing, energy, water and other infrastructure development. They also outline how USDA is helping rural communities attract businesses and families by investing in housing and broadband.