Businesses focus on local, mutual support  -- 

When you help others you help yourself is a truth that is likely more true during hard economic times. Whether you are a business owner or consumer, there are a number of ways you can contribute to greater economic and job prospects in your community while getting better connected to local people and businesses.

City budget deficits and fewer city services reflect the fact

that the health of a community largely depends on the health of its business community. ‘Shop Local’ campaigns encourage consumers to spend their money within their own city, though the real importance of independent, local businesses to the entire community is usually not given the thought it deserves. Data from the Small Business Administration and other sources point to small businesses' historical role in net job creation and how they typically lead economic recovery.

Businesses like Joe Greengo Coffee Company in San Leandro are positioned to lead economic growth and job recovery. Owner Ramon Padilla employs five people at his coffee plant where he processes coffee beans from Mexico and Central America.

Businesses like Ramon’s are likely to survive the recession and grow because of the vision their owners have for their business. “Just because we’re a small business doesn’t mean that we think small,” says Ramon, who has no fear to compete against much larger coffee companies. “We can compete with the big businesses and give the same or better customer service,” he says.

Even with a fearless attitude, Ramon still knows how important mutual support is for business and community survival. “Starbucks and other national companies will always be around, but these small businesses may not be there tomorrow without our help,” he says.

Ramon’s desire to help other local businesses is his reason for getting involved in the Latino Business Council (LBC), which is a newly-formed sub- group of the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce. Its mission is to promote local, Latino owned businesses and help them to better connect with the community and each other. LBC will be similar to what the Hayward  Chamber of Commerce created several years ago with the Latino Business Roundtable, which is an important resource for Latino business owners.

Corina Lopez, co-owner of Pinnacle Vista Technology, has taken an organizing role in forming the Latino Business Council with key members of the business community. She recognizes the need for a Latino focused business organization in San Leandro. Together with chamber CEO David Johnson, she has brought together key members of the business community to refine the group’s scope and mission.

“We felt it was important to organize a group of really good stakeholders in San Leandro,” she says. “Collectively, we have hundreds of years of leadership and experience.” Corina understands how challenging it is to run or start a business in this economy, especially less established or less connected businesses. “It was time to start this (Latino Business Council) - it was overdue,” she adds.

Like Ramon, Corina believes that Latino business owners need to network and support each other in their business. Rene Mendieta of Legacy Real Estate has also taken a leadership role in making the Latino Business Council a reality.

“Many times business owners think that the chambers of commerce are for big businesses,” he says. Speaking to the benefits that chambers do offer small business, Rene says, “There are workshops in business planning, having access to loans and knowing the criteria.” He adds that advocacy is very important. “Many times business owners do not know where to go when they have a problem.”

The efforts of Corina, Rene, Ramon and others of LBC are intended to benefit businesses like that of Iracema Velazquez, who last year opened Floral Designs flower shop on East 14th Ave. in San Leandro.  

“It is not easy, but there is help out there,” says Iracema of the challenge of running a business and the many resources. She is planning to get involved with the Latino Business Council.

She says people asked her why she opened her store when the economy is not good. “I think that there will be clients for everybody, people have always needs regardless of the economy or the competitors,” she says. “My vision in five years is to be established, to have a lot of clients. We can open another flower-shop,” she asserts.

On finding resources to survive and thrive, Iracema says, “If we ask and do the research we will find the help that we need.”