We are pleased to announce the imminent launch of our Business Incubator, designed for entrepreneurs who are focused on expanding their enterprises. Studies have shown that 87% of businesses that locate in a well-run business incubator are still operating after five years. Only 20% of small businesses survive that long in general. Start Up is launching the incubator to help you achieve greater prosperity through your business. The incubator is part of our Business Growth Services and includes the following resources: 1) flexible office space rentals (at Start Up); 2) personalized consulting and mentoring; and 3) access to office equipment and high speed Internet; and 4) regular contact with a community of entrepreneurs. If your business is generating revenue and has the potential to be even more profitable, membership in the Business Incubator could be the right step for you. Take advantage of these invaluable services offered at affordable prices! For more information or to be placed on the waiting list, please contact Julia Jones at 650-321-2193 ext. 13 or jjones@startupepa.org.

If you are ready to develop a roadmap for launching your successful business or if you have an existing business that needs a new strategy for growth, then read on! In January 2006, Start Up will introduce Launch Preparation, a program that offers the following support to entrepreneurs who are ready to take the big step from planning to implementation: 1) assistance with completion of your business plan; 2) specialized workshops focused on the aspects of launching your business; and 3) Entrepreneur Action Groups, which link you with a network of your peers who are also preparing to launch their businesses. For more information or to be added to the waiting list, please contact Julia Jones at 650-321-2193 ext. 13 or jjones@startupepa.org.

Lenders for Community Development (LCD) is a nonprofit organization in San Jose, now providing Credit Builder loans to low income individuals trying to build a stronger credit history. These enhancement loans are available to applicants who own a small business, are thinking about starting one, or who are self-employed. We offer a speedy approval process requiring no collateral or past credit history. In addition, if you pay back your loan on time, you can automatically qualify for larger loans through LCD. Credit Builder loans typically range from $1000 to $2000 and have a term of 1-2 years with an 8% fixed interest rate. For more information, please contact Evelyn Huang at evelyn@l4cd.com or at 408-297-0204 ext. 21.

More information on Lenders for Community Develompent

On Thursday, September 22, Start Up hosted the Third Annual Covad Broadband Entrepreneur Program (CBEP) Awards Ceremony. Seven Start Up entrepreneurs received awards of $500 each and one year of free high speed Internet service hosted by Covad Communications Group, Inc. CBEP is an initiative sponsored by Covad Communications Group, Inc. in partnership with the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) to provide low and moderate income micro entrepreneurs, particularly women, people of color and persons with disabilities, a greater opportunity for business success. Start Up is pleased to have been a CBEP partner since 2003. This year's CBEP recipients are: Barbara L. Elmgren, BAR Document Services; Darryl Ewing, Save - U – Plumbing; DaNesha Antrece Fuller, Taletah Day Care; Ana Malia S. Mahoni, Tiki’s Polynesian Food Market; Roberto Martinez, Dollar Club Warehouse; Carlos Pulido Ortega, Ortega’s Fine Furniture Services, and Feliciano Zavala, Peninsula Party. At the ceremony, participants were treated to a delicious meal provided by Start Up entrepreneur Kevah Payne of Kalypso’s Catering.

More Information on Covad Communications Group, Inc.

Did you know that some construction companies in Hawaii are turning to Mainland workers to help handle the boom in business? We hope that this article, published on September 26, 2005 in the HonoluluAdvertiser.com, will be of interest to our entrepreneurs who work in the construction industry. Click on the link below to view the article.

Construction Looks to Mainland to Fill Crews

Shop this holiday season with Jazmyn's Aromatic Creations! Now is the time to place your order for a BEAUTIFUL BASKET or GIFT PACKAGE featuring the favorite fragrances of those special people in your life. Jazmyn’s Aromatic Creations makes handmade, all-natural herbal products, which contain no animal fats. Watching your budget this year? No problem! I will help you find the right gift at the right price. Call Mamie at (650) 838-9673 to place an order and be sure to visit my new website (link below). Designed with you in mind, we put the CARE back into Skin Care. -Mamie Patton, Owner

Visit Jazmyn's Aromatic Creations!

Did you know that our ability to continually improve our services and to raise funds is directly linked to your feedback? The Annual Alumni Suvey is the most important tool we use to learn about your satisfaction with our programs and to convince our funders that Start Up deserves their support! If you did not receive the survey in the mail during the summer, you can call and request one. Easier yet, click on the link below NOW and look for the ANNUAL SURVEY link on our homepage. Thank you!!

Please Take a Moment to Complete our Annual Survey

Maggie Diaz joined Start Up on November 8 as our new bilingual Administrative Assistant. She brings an impressive array of administrative and client skills including over six years of experience working in the nonprofit sector. Originally from Mexico, Maggie was a long-time resident of East Palo Alto and knows this community well. "I am lucky to be part of this team," she says, "I am excited to learn more." Maggie manages office reception and is the first person our clients meet when they walk in the door. We are thrilled to welcome Maggie to Start Up!

We are working to build participation in the Start Up community and want you to be an active part of it! Do you offer a product or service that could be of benefit to other entrepreneurs? Would you like to mentor current participants in our training programs? If so, we want to hear from you! In addition, if you would you like to advertise your business in this newsletter or if you have other ideas for collaborating with the Start Up community, please contact Regina Thompson at 650-321-2193 ext. 10 or rthompson@startupepa.org. Para español comuníquese con Luiz Vizcardo al 650-321-2193 ext. 14 o luis@startupepa.org.

email: news@startupepa.org

phone: 650-321-2193

web: http://www.startupepa.org