In this Must Know…
- Meet our new CDFI Program Manager and Training Specialist, Texas Market – Caleb Ostrander
- For Your Clients: Summer MEHKO Webinar Series
- Read Reimagine Main Street’s new report on small businesses and AI, and join our AI Essentials: Train-the-Trainer series. The next session is June 18!
- CAMEO Network in the News: Our CEO, Carolina Martinez, was interviewed by Seth Sandronsky for CounterPunch on what’s a stake for small businesses with the Trump Administration’s new tariffs.
- Fill out our survey by June 13, 2025 to help shape the future of CAMEO Network.
- This week’s Goodie Highlight is CalOSBA and Public Counsel’s webinar “Immigration Compliance for Small Businesses: I-9 Audits, Enforcement Trends, and Worker Protections” on June 18, 2025 at 1:00pm PT.
Staff Update: Meet our new CDFI Program Manager and Training Specialist, Texas Market
We are excited to welcome Caleb Ostrander as our new CDFI Program Manager and Training Specialist, Texas Market!
With nearly a decade of experience supporting small business owners through technical assistance, including six years abroad, Caleb has seen first-hand the impact of connecting entrepreneurs with the resources they need to thrive.
Caleb will be leading our CDFI outreach in Texas. You can reach him at costrander@CAMEOnetwork.org.
For Your Clients: Summer MEHKO Webinar Series
In the past two years, our MEHKO program has served 414 home cooks with training and start up funds.
Help more aspiring home-based food entrepreneurs start their businesses with a free, bilingual MEHKO Summer Webinar Series. Topics include permitting, marketing, and success stories from real home cooks. Sessions run monthly from June to September and are perfect for those looking to start or grow a MEHKO. Please share with your clients!
Small Business and AI: What New Survey Data Tells Us
CAMEO Network partnered with Reimagine Main Street to survey nearly 1,000 small business owners and found that AI is already transforming operations. 76% are using or exploring AI, with 1 in 4 using it daily. While most see its potential to boost productivity and growth, many remain cautious. Small businesses need trusted guidance and simpler tools to take full advantage of AI. Read the full report.
The Goodies
For Your Clients
- CalOSBA and Public Counsel are hosting the webinar “Immigration Compliance for Small Businesses: I-9 Audits, Enforcement Trends, and Worker Protections” on June 18, 2025 at 1:00pm PT.
- The Cartier Women’s Initiative awards fund impact entrepreneurs. Applications close June 24, 2025.
Professional Opportunities
- Join FOOD FUNDED 2025 on June 18, 2025 in Berkeley, CA for an event aimed at catalyzing funding for food ventures.
- Join Credit Builders Alliance to shape the future of credit at the 12th Annual Credit Builders Alliance Summit on June 22-24, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Research & Data
- Read the Latino Donor Collaborative’s 2025 U.S. Latino GDP Report, which helps stakeholders across industries understand and quantify the true scale of U.S. Latino economic contributions in America.
- Pacific Community Ventures released their 2024 Annual Impact Report.
Other Goodies
- New Resource: Check out SBAN’s new tools to help preserve small businesses in communities experiencing or vulnerable to climate gentrification.
- Jobs: ESO Ventures, California FarmLink, and CIELO announced new jobs recently. See who else is hiring!