Raise a Pint, Brew a Dream

Accion partner The Boston Beer Company has just announced its latest promotion—Raise a Pint, Brew a Dream.

The promotion, being offered from April 15 to May 31, 2013, will support small businesses by raising funds for the Brewing the American Dream program. For every Samuel Adams Boston Lager draft purchased, from a participating location, The Boston Beer Company will contribute $.05 to our Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream Fund. And the great news is there are over 10,000 participating bars and restaurants across the United States!

Since the Brewing the American Dream program began in 2008, more than 230 loans totaling over $2 million have been made to small businesses across the country. One of those loans was to Alberto Boleres of Chicago.

Boleres came up with the idea to start his own café while serving in Iraq. He witnessed the camaraderie at a coffee shop near his residence and found his passion. He returned to the U.S. as a Purple Heart Veteran with the goal of knowing the coffee industry inside and out. Alberto was determined to start his own business.

Keepin’ It Social Media

by: Joseph Lee

If you’re like most small business owners, you've already jumped onto the social media bandwagon. You may even be posting the occasional tweet or sharing some interesting pictures with your fans. The problem is there is still no one following you or interacting with your posts, and you’re starting to wonder if the 10 minutes a day you spend posting content is worth your time. You’re a busy business owner after all!

The jury is still out on how effective social media marketing is in driving sales. However, experts agree that social media is a great way to have a conversation with your customers and build brand recognition. According to recent Nielson studies, Americans spend more time on social media than any other type of online activity. This is a huge pool of potential customers and clients that you can engage with through this medium.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

San Diego Small Businesses are Engines for Job Creation, Reports Accion’s microTracker Small Business Lending Outcomes Study

Conducted in Partnership With the Aspen Institute, Study Highlights Microbusiness Outcomes on Local Communities

By providing loans that average just $11,500, microlender Accion San Diego is significantly contributing to small business sustainability, small-business owner income and job creation, according to Accion’s microTracker lending outcomes study released today. Conducted in partnership with the Aspen Institute, the study highlighted microloan recipients as key engines for job creation and economic stability despite slowdowns in the economy.

Four member organizations of the Accion U.S. Network, the largest microfinance network in the United States, including Accion San Diego, conducted the survey in partnership with Opportunity Fund, to create the largest national sample of microloan borrowers in any lending outcomes study to date. More than 475 businesses participated nationwide, painting a vivid picture of the local outcomes of various microfinance offices around the country.

There was a 31 percent response rate among Accion San Diego clients interviewed. Key San Diego-specific findings include:

Chick Sticks: Empowering Young Women Surfers

Lola has always had a passion for surfing, a sport mostly dominated by men. However, she found that the typical surfboard were too bulky and difficult to manage, and didn’t meet the needs of female surfers. So she began to order custom-shaped boards that worked better for her body.

Lola quickly learned that she was not alone and that many other female surfers wanted a surfboard more proportional to their build. Girls at the beach would ask her where she got her board—sometimes literally buying the board out from under her arm. Lola saw the need in the market and started Chick Sticks, a company dedicated to producing custom surfboards and surf and skate gear for girls. Since starting operations, she’s expanded to a second factory location where her team of employees cut, shape, paint and glass the boards in-house.

Lola recently came to Accion for a $10,000 Kiva loan to purchase inventory, allowing her to produce boards ahead of the influx of orders she receives for custom boards. She will also be able to embark on her new line of athletic wear for girls, which will provide them with surfing wear and gear designed specifically with their needs in mind.

What sets Chick Sticks apart is Lola’s energy, creativity and commitment to empowering young women. Before being painted, each board receives a written message of encouragement from Lola herself. She also sponsors a surfing team of over 20 girls, providing boards and gear to those who cannot afford to compete. With every board she makes, Lola hopes to empower girls to surf and skate alongside the best of the boys.

To purchase a custom board or more information about Chick Sticks visit: www.chicksticksbylola.com. Also, watch a video interview with Lola on her Kiva profile: www.kiva.org/lend/539419.

A Pledge to Save: Set a Goal, Make a Plan and Save Automatically

Research indicates that over 75% of people who set a savings goal are more likely to achieve it. Setting a saving goal can be the start to success.

Getting more people to set a savings goal and make a plan for success is the intent of the San Diego Saves campaign. San Diego Saves is part of the national America Saves campaign, a social marketing campaign started by the Consumer Federation of America, and championed by Dr. Patti Wooten Swanson from the University of California Cooperative Extension.

To support the upcoming Saves Week February 25 – March 2, 2013, the following mayors have agreed to sign a proclamation endorsing savings: City of El Cajon Mayor Lewis, City of Solana Beach Mayor Mike Nichols, County of San Diego Council Representative Ron Roberts and City of San Diego Mayor Bob Filner. Many financial institutions, like Accion San Diego, are also collaborating with San Diego Saves to support savings and debt reduction.

Imagine a nation of savers! It is safe, fun and easy to “Set a plan, Make a Plan and Save Automatically” with the free resources available online. Make your pledge to start saving at the San Diego Saves website. By pledging, you will gain access to a wealth of free information and resources to help you meet your savings goals. Visit www.sandiegosaves.org and click “Join San Diego Saves.”