Main Street Launch

Yuja Kitchen is now open - bringing fresh energy and delicious Asian-inspired flavors to San Francisco’s downtown East Cut neighborhood! Yuja is 1 of 10 businesses to open downtown, benefiting from the Downtown SF Vibrancy Loan Fund. OEWD, in partnership with Main Street Launch, has expanded this loan to continue assisting small businesses with filling vacant storefronts in downtown.

Meet Our Team! Accounting & Administrative Specialist Shay Synigal keeps our day-to-day financial operations running smoothly and efficiently. With her range of experience spanning marketing to accounting in a variety of industries, she brings a unique perspective to her role. A few fun facts about Shay: 🧾Manages accounting data and invoicing for various programs 🎓Proud HBCU Alumna ✈️Loves to travel the world with her mom and friends We are so grateful to have her skills and positive energy on the Main Street Launch team!

Come find us at the @tlcbd Small Business Resource Fair next week! We'll be in great company with many other organizations providing critical support to local entrepreneurs. Connect with the resources you need to start our grow your business! 🗓️ Tuesday, September 16th 🕛 12-4pm 📍Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy St, San Francisco Registration link in our bio

Meet Our Team: Chief Development Officer Jen L. Verne has been with Main Street Launch for over a decade. With her rich background in economic development, social enterprise, and strategic partnerships, she's instrumental in driving our mission forward. A few fun facts about Jen: 💵Raises millions of dollars to support entrepreneurs 💚Founder & Chair of the CDFI Climate Crisis Working Group 🌏Travels the world with her husband - most recently New Zealand and Maldives We're grateful for her leadership in fundraising, impact reporting, and organizational development.

Your business deserves the right support. The SCALE Network connects you with expert coaches who can help you: 🔍 Understand the lending process 💸 Build financial skills 📝 Write a winning business plan 💰 Secure funding 🙌 And more! Get personalized advising based on your goals and stage of business. Click the link in our bio to join the #SCALE Network and get capital ready!

Celebrate Black Business Month with our clients! Today we're highlighting 5 wonderful San Francisco based Black-owned businesses we've had the honor to work with: 1 - @terangafoods Celebrating 10 years in business TODAY 🎉 Teranga offers delicious, nutrient-packed products inspired by African superfoods, from baobab-infused juices to snacks and wholesome meals. 2 - @u3fit U3Fit is a Bayview fitness center that combines personal training, fitness nutrition, and wellness coaching to help you engage your body, mind, and purpose. 3 - @minnie_bells Minnie Bell's Soul Movement is a homecoming: Chef Fernay McPherson brings her famous rosemary fried chicken and Southern cuisine classics to the historic Fillmore district. 4 - @theculturesf The Culture SF is committed to making a positive impact on health and wellness through three essential pillars: fitness, nutrition coaching, and community connection. 5 - Grace Homes Inc. (Story link in bio) Founded by a mother and son duo, Grace Homes Inc is a residential care facility dedicated to providing compassionate care for individuals with mental disabilities, with a primary focus on those with autism. Read their inspiring story at the link in our bio! #BlackBusinessMonth #supportblackownedbusinesses #buyblack #smallbusiness #shoplocal #shopsmall

✨ Did you know? Small businesses that get a loan or financing: ✔️ Are 54% more likely to qualify for future loans ✔️ Are 54% more likely to survive ✔️ Increase sales by 41% on average Take the first step toward your business’s growth — click the link in our bio to join the #SCALE Network and get personalized support from a trusted business advisor. #SmallBusiness #SmallBiz #AccessToCapital #BusinessFunding #EntrepreneurTips

Meet Our Team! As SVP - Accounting Manager, Guillermo Barajas is a vital part of our organization. He tracks our financial performance and handles administrative tasks that are critical to keeping our operations running smoothly. A few fun facts about Guillermo: 🎓Joined Main Street as an intern in 2015 🍌🐌Is a proud UC Santa Cruz Banana Slug 🛣️Drove across the US from Alaska to Maine We're grateful for Guillermo's thoughtful and measured approach to supporting our mission and our clients!

Need funding? Make sure you’re capital ready — and supported. The #SCALE Network helps small businesses prep loan documents AND offers: ⚖️ Legal support 📊 Accounting services 📈 Financial advising 📚 Business workshops We’re here to make sure your small business has everything it needs to access capital and grow. Ready to get started? Let’s build your future together. Click the link in our bio to learn more.

August is #BlackBusinessMonth! We're shining a spotlight on a few of the incredible Black-owned businesses in Oakland that we've had the privilege of working with. Support these local entrepreneurs making big contributions and impacts in our community! 1 - @thesanctuary.energy The Sanctuary is a Black queer woman-owned apothecary and botánica boutique on Grand Avenue. The storefront offers handcrafted herbal remedies, ritual tools, and garments made with ethically sourced organic and sustainable ingredients and materials. The Sanctuary hosts community‑centered events and wellness workshops. 2 - @ramsessartgarden Ramsess Art Garden is a lush indoor-outdoor plant shop and cultural event space in Oakland’s Uptown district. Blending greenery, art, and community, it offers curated plants, handmade pottery, and hosts events like workshops, sound baths, and markets in a vibrant, welcoming setting. 3 - @calabasheats Calabash is a vibrant Afro‑Caribbean & Jamaican restaurant and bar located in Uptown Oakland. Founded by Chef Nigel Jones, it showcases creative dishes by local chefs and producers, blending Jamaican home cooking with global culinary innovation. Guests can enjoy a full bar and delicious, affordable meals in a lively, community‑focused space. 4 - @burdell_oak Lauded as  the top restaurant in the Bay by @sfchronicle_food , Burdell needs no introduction. Named in honor of chef‑owner Geoff Davis’s grandmother, the space radiates nostalgic “grandma energy” with retro décor, vintage plates, and a warm, communal ambiance. 5 - @oaklandbarberacademy Oakland Barber Academy emphasizes barber education and business development skills . It provides flexible pathways for aspiring professionals looking to build careers in the field of barbering. The academy’s mission is to create jobs, mitigate displacement, and foster economic opportunity for East Oakland. 6 - @happihandswest HaPPiHands is a Black woman-owned indoor play space and event venue in West Oakland for families. This vibrant space offers engaging open-play sessions and flexible birthday party packages. HaPPiHands emphasizes safe, joyful experiences for children ages 6 months to 8 years old.

💰 Want your business to qualify for a loan? You need to be capital ready, and that starts with your finances: 📈 Credit score 🏠 Collateral 🖋 Personal guarantee 🏦 Bank statements 📄 Debt schedule 🧾 Tax returns 📊 Financial statements 📌 Projections Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry. Click the link in our bio to join the #SCALE Network and work with a business advisor who will guide you through every step. #SmallBusiness #AccessToCapital #BusinessFunding #EntrepreneurTips

Ready to grow your business with funding? Make sure you’re capital ready! Here’s what you’ll need: 📖 Business history 👥 Ownership details 📂 Legal docs in order 📊 Business plan 💼 Job creation plan & records 💡 Get help pulling it all together with support from a trusted business advisor. Click the link in our bio to join the #SCALE Network and start your capital readiness journey today! #SmallBusiness #AccessToCapital #BusinessFunding #EntrepreneurTips