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Inaugural Matchmaking & Networking Event Set to Go   

This is the last newsletter before the Economic Development Department along with partners hosts the Inaugural Business Matchmaking & Networking event in downtown Fresno on August 31. Planning has been coming along very well, and we are currently in the final stage of arranging details. We have almost 30 buyers attending the event that range from all levels of government to varying large private for-profit companies. More importantly, we have over 40 small businesses registered and signed up to attend the event, with more signing up everyday. These small businesses have all been given one-on-one meetings with the buyers where they will get the opportunity to make connections and promote their small business. There is still time left for small businesses to register to attend the event. Please visit www.fresnostartup.com and click the “matchmaking event” link at the top to see the list of buyers attending. Names with stars beside them have lists available of products and services they are looking to buy. If you feel you would match well with these organizations please register as soon as possible.

We would like to thank the following sponsors who donated resources to make this possible:

City of Fresno Economic Development Department – Founding sponsor
www.fresnoez.com

PG&E – Gold Sponsor
www.pge.com

Specialized Printing & Promotions Inc. – Bronze Sponsor
www.specializedprinting.com

Wells Fargo – Bronze Sponsor
www.wellsfargo.com

For more information please contact Brandon Erickson at (559) 621-8367 or email at Brandon.Erickson@fresno.gov

Central Valley Business Incubator Hires     
New Member Services Director and COO

FRESNO, CA – The Central Valley Business Incubator has hired Travis Sheridan as its member services director and Anna Borgeas as its chief operating officer. The two new additions round out a staff that operates out of both CVBI’s mixed-use Launching Pad facility and the Claude Laval Water and Energy Technology (WET) Incubator.

Travis Sheridan, Member Services Director

Sheridan will coach and consult CVBI members as well as lead Entrepreneurial Training Process (ETP) classes. Sheridan replaces Jarah Euston, who is beginning work this fall on her MBA at the Wharton Business School.
From Madera, Sheridan recently served as the public relations director at ASTONE, where he managed staff in Fresno, San Diego and Sacramento. Previously, he was the campus director at San Joaquin Valley College’s Fresno campus. He has also worked as an adjunct instructor in the business department for State Center Community College District and has a background in the banking and human resource areas.

Currently on the Board of Directors of Creative Fresno, Sheridan earned his bachelor's in psychology from Fresno Pacific, his master's in organizational behavior from Alliant University and has completed coursework for his doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne.
“Travis brings a background of banking, marketing and organizational management to our member services director position,” said CEO Craig Scharton. “Jarah Euston left big shoes to fill when she headed for the Wharton Business School’s MBA program, but Travis has the feet to fill them. Travis’ professional experience and community service background make him a perfect match with the ideals of CVBI.”

SoupMan Franchise   

Seinfeld fans listen up! This months franchise company that has expressed interest in Fresno is “The Original SoupMan.” The SoupMan franchise is retail based brand that features a hot, healthy, and gourmet fast casual concept. Products sold are items such as salads, sandwiches, panini, wraps, smoothies, and also gourmet soup lines.

The brand advertises that the financial entry is anywhere between $89,000 to $275,000. They utilize spaces of 1,000-1,500 sq. ft and also feature a kiosk type store that is suitable to airports, campuses, and office complexes. They prefer co-tenants of upscale food, boutiques, health clubs, book stores, and movie theaters. They also feature an extensive catering program with their band.

For more information on The Original Soupman franchises contact Brook Auberry, Director Real Estate at (212) 768-7687 or email at brooke@originalsoupman.com.

General Services Conference in Phoenix for Small Businesses   

For Small Businesses looking for opportunities to do business with and sell to the national government the U.S. General Services Administration is perhaps the best agency to do that with. They buy almost everything for the national government and its various departments with the exception of tactical military equipment.

If you are interested in pursuing opportunities there is an upcoming conference in Phoenix for small businesses please visit www.gsa.gov/r9sbconference to learn more.  Or to register for the event, visit http://www.openingdoorsaz.com/

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PLANNING, SMART GROWTH   

Business Development   

Why Develop a Business Plan?

Would you drive across the country without a map, turning left when you should go right, not knowing? A business plan helps you design and lay out your business and gives you a map to follow in growing your business. Business planning is more than just the production of a document, it is the process through which you research, learn about, analyze, and understand your business, the market place, trends in your industry and defined and quantifiable goals. A business plan helps identify misconceptions.

The following series over the next several months in the Business Retentions & Expansion will assist you in developing a business plan for strategic planning, creating a competitive advantage and for presentation to potential investors/bankers.

Benefits of Writing a Business Plan: Increases knowledge of strengths and weaknesses (internal) and market opportunities and threats (external), helps identify new customers segments, places a focus on a marketing position (competitive advantage), provides bankers a professional and acceptable format for presenting evidence supporting business start-up, creates a time-line for business evolution, supplies a method for developing logical financial projections and provides an action plan to measure implementation.

Small Business Development Center counselors will assist you in developing your plan, including critiquing, helping locate specific information, and making financial projections.

Bryan Moe is the Tulare/Kings County Manager and Consultant for the SBA’s Small Business Development Center and can be reached at blmoe@ccsbdc.org.

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ENTREPRENEAURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT   

Single-Session Business Fundamental Seminars   
Offered by the Central Valley Business Incubator

The newest addition to CVBI’s business development services, these single-session seminars introduce common business fundamentals in one stop. The courses are centered on engaging, visual presentations and are well-suited for start-up companies, sole proprietors and small businesses.

Computer Security Fundamentals will highlight information about computer threats and help participants identify the hardware and software needed to mitigate the risks. It will run for four hours.

Tuesday, Aug. 21
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
1630 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 163
$49 for CVBI members
$75 for non-members

The course will be led by Robert Luciano, who has more than 20 years of experience in the I.T. industry and six years of concurrent accounting experience. He has owned a computer consulting firm, worked in computer forensics helping the U.S. Secret Service and the California High-Task Crimes Force, and holds 13 industry certifications. He is currently the owner of Robert's Accounting Services in Clovis.

For more information and to sign up,
call (559) 292-9033 or e-mail anna@cvbi.org.

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INCENTIVES   

Upcoming City of Fresno Incentive Zone Workshops     

The City of Fresno Economic Development Department supports business with incentives aimed to attract and assist in their successful growth and expansion.

As a business owner or future business owner, there are a variety of incentives available from the Federal and State government that overlap with the local Municipal Restoration Zone, all created to assist with your business success.

Staff from the City Economic Development Department are hosting the following series of workshops for business owners and other interested parties to share the benefits these ‘zones’ have to offer:

“Enterprise Zone Overview & Vouchering”
August 15, 2007 - 8:00 a.m.
Lance-Kashian & Co., 8365 N. Fresno Street

“Enterprise, Empowerment, and Municipal Restoration Zones”
September 12, 2007 - 8:30 a.m.
Manchester Center, 1901 E. Shields Avenue

“Enterprise, Empowerment, and Municipal Restoration Zones”
October 2007
Date, Time & Location TBD (Southeast Fresno)

“Enterprise, Empowerment, and Municipal Restoration Zones”
November 2007
Date, Time & Location TBD (West Fresno)

“Enterprise Zone Overview & Vouchering”
December 2007
Date, Time & Location TBD (Northwest Fresno)

For updates, maps, and information, please visit the following website at www.fresnoez.com.

Space is limited. Please RSVP by phone at (559) 621-8361 or e-mail economic.development@fresno.gov.

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NEIGHBORHOOD, COMMUNITY AND DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT   

First "Fresno Filmmakers Forum" Forges Forward   

The inaugural "Fresno Filmmakers Forum" is set for Saturday, October 27th. While a location has not yet been chosen the daylong event promises to have something for everyone who has an interest in film and video production in the valley.

There will be three 90 minute panel forums addressing the creative, technical and business components of the film and video industry. Current confirmed panelists include writer/director/actor Hart Bochner who directed feature films PCU, HIGH SCHOOL HIGH and the soon to be released ONE PART SUGAR, starring Danny DeVito and Dylan Walsh. As an actor Hart had starring roles in DIE HARD, WAR AND REMEMBRANCE AND ANYWHERE BUT HERE. Cinematographer John Kelly, Director of Photography for A BRUSH WITH DEATH, LOVE and THE LEGEND OF JAKE KINCAID. Robert J. Thissen, director of the sci-fi short PARADOX ROAD which recently won "Exposure Short Film Contest" on the Sci-Fi Channel. Actress, writer, acting and dialect coach Cherie Franklin who has acted in major motion pictures and television series for the past two decades. And, producer/writer/activist/actor Kerry Yo Nakagawa, who produced the WWII internment camp feature AMERICAN PASTIME and has acted in MATLOCK, HILL STREET BLUES and 1ST & TEN.

In addition to the panel forums there will be breakout sessions and film and video presentations throughout the day. The forum will also include industry related businesses that will display their products and services for the expected 200 film professionals.

A Fresno Filmmakers Forum (FFF) website will be on line shortly, followed by an FFF Newsletter.

For more information any interested film or video professionals can contact Fresno Film & Entertainment Commissioner Ray Arthur at Ray.Arthur@fresno.gov or call 559.621.8358.

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My Downtown, My Choice   

The Continuing the Vision Plan for Downtown, My Downtown, My Choice, provides a plan to revitalize Fresno’s downtown that includes information about the nearly one billion dollars worth of projects that have already been completed including restoration of the nationally recognized Santa Fe Depot, the gathering spaces and restaurants at Civic Center Square, a new Federal building, the expansion of Community Medical Center, Chukchansi Park and affordable mixed use housing to name a few. The presentation also includes the plan to develop a vibrant downtown by creating districts with a unique style of their own including a Cultural Arts district, the Courthouse Park district, Civic Center district and a River district. The connectivity of these districts will include street cars from downtown to the Tower district, green space, parkways and a river; and, the completion of the Five Projects in Five Years: Public Safety Complex, Downtown Park, River District, Fulton Mall and Streetcar.

For more information, please view My Downtown, My Choice at www.fresno.ca.gov or email Economic.Development@fresno.gov.

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TOURISM   

The Best Markets For Expat Entrepreneurs   
By Mary Crane
www.forbes.com

So opening that local coffee shop or taking over the family business just won't cut it? You're craving adventure and eye-popping growth?

Sure, there is plenty of action in India and China, where big boys like Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ), Citigroup (nyse: C - news - people ) and Intel (nasdaq: INTC - news - people ) have made deep inroads. But for entrepreneurs with vision, patience, an appetite for risk and command of a second language (or two), there are plenty of opportunities in even more exotic locales.

Read more at http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/2007/03/28/microsoft-intel-citigroup-ent-hr-cx_mc_0328outlookexpat.html

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TRADE, GLOBALIZATION & INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPEMENT   

International Trade Workshop    

The Northern California District Export Council, the Center for International Trade Development, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the San Joaquin Valley International Trade Association, in collaboration with the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Fresno, cordially invite you to attend a comprehensive seminar covering the following topics:
 
• International credit and political risk insurance
• Financing solutions for middle market companies
• Foreign Exchange solutions
• Control and access funds worldwide

Date: September 11, 2007
Time: 8:30am-2:00pm
Location: UC Building, Inyo/Kern Conference Room
550 E. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710
Cost: $49.00

To register please go to https://www.buyusa.gov/fresno/fxforum.html

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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT   

FCWIB Announcesd Move to Downtown Fulton Mall Location   

Effective July 30, 2007, the Fresno County Workforce Investment Board (FCWIB) relocated their Fresno office from 3302 N. Blackstone Avenue, Suite 221 to 2000 Fresno Street, Suite 200; 559.490.7100, fax 559.490.7199.

Larry Fortune, chair of the FCWIB, stated "Moving our operations to the new downtown location is a win-win solution. It will significantly reduce our facility costs which will allow us to allocate a larger percentage of funds to serve the needs of job seekers and youth."

For more information visit www.workforce-connection.com or call 559.490.7100.

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