Minding My Black-Owned Business

Minding My Black-Owned Business is sponsored by San Francisco Housing Development Corporation. Designed to help small business owners refine their concepts, create well-thought-out business plans, and financial projections.

Minding My Black-Owned Business – SFHDC | San Francisco Housing Development Corporation Minding My Black-Owned Business New Cohort Application Periods Will Be Announced Online and via Email As They Become Available. Minding My Black-Owned Business is a 12-week business development program to support start-up businesses with concept development, business planning, financial planning, and marketing.

Businesses that meet program participation requirements are eligible to receive grant funds totaling up to $10,000. Registration for the current cohort is now closed. Please keep me up-to-date on SFHDC News.

Funding for this program is made possible through the financial support of the Dream Keeper Initiative , the Human Rights Commission , and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development . ABOUT THE MINDING MY BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS PROGRAM Minding My Black-Owned Business is a 12-week business development program to support start-up businesses with concept development, business planning, financial planning, and marketing.

Businesses that meet program participation requirements are eligible to receive grant funds totaling up to $10,000. The Five Minding my Black-Owned Business Cohorts that SFHDC has facilitated thus far have served specific focus areas, as follows: Intermediate Finance and Taxes Please carefully read the eligibility and program participation requirements detailed below before completing your program application.

The most valuable [part of this cohort] for me has been the assigned bookkeeper. Taxes have by far been the hardest part of my business, since I have never had an official bookkeeper helping me stay organized and on track. If you've got goals, dreams, and plans of entrepreneurship, this is the program that will help you live it.

As a person who considers themselves pretty organized, I've gotten even more organized and am transitioning some of my past ways into ways I've learned or created while in class. Additionally, I'm getting clear on what my actual Operations & Procedures System is. The MMBOB was just what I needed to kickstart and regain my confidence in my business.

Because of MMOBB I was able to see my brand in a store front, located in the Fillmore, in the heart of San francisco MMOBOB connected me with some very brilliant tax experts and bookkeepers. I was able to learn about every important form to sign as a tax payer and entrepreneur. I was able to successfully file my taxes.

Thanks to MMBOB! Honestly, this program has just connected the dots for me in so many ways. Some things I knew coming into the program, but not enough, and this program help me one step further in [building] this business structure.

[I loved] the different speakers, hearing their point of view, from so many different types of businesses. My favorite part is seeing people like me, of color, dominating in this field, really pushes me to be great! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Before starting MMBOB I only had a business degree, as in, an MBA degree that I was not using. I always knew I wanted to start a business and I was intimidated originally by the idea of starting something on my own but with the help of MMBOB I was able to finally take the leap and fully register and begin a career coaching business.

I know that I have a strong foundation and advantage compared to small business owners that are not apart of MMBOB and I am very grateful and appreciative for this amazing kick-start. The most valuable thing for me has been the confidence that my SFHDC coach has instilled in me to start a business!

Minding My Black-Owned Business is designed to help small business owners refine their concepts, and create well-thought-out business plans and financial projections. Our goal is to help small businesses clearly articulate their competitive advantage in the marketplace, to effectively speak to their target market, and to set achievable revenue goals for business growth.

Businesses will complete the program with a carefully considered business plan that will guide their business operations, and that can be used to apply for future small business grants from the City of San Francisco. Businesses that meet program requirements will receive grant funds totaling up to $10,000 over the course of the 12-week program.

Grant funds are intended to help entrepreneurs invest in their business growth and put their business plans in action. If you are a small business owner who would like support in formulating a strong business plan, we encourage you to apply!

To participate in the program, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements: Applicants must have either a Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN); If accepted into the program, all participants will be required to submit an IRS W-9 form to receive grant funds Applicant’s business must be registered in San Francisco OR applicant must register their business in San Francisco during the duration of the program Applicant must be a for-profit business Applicant must be able to commit a minimum of four (4) hours per week to participating in the program (i.e. attending classes and completing homework assignments) To be eligible to receive grant payments, participants must meet all of the following program participation requirements: Attend eleven (11) out of twelve (12) live, weekly workshops; Businesses who miss a workshop must notify SFHDC staff in advance, watch a video recording of the workshop, and complete the accompanying homework assignment prior to the next class.

Please note that businesses are only permitted to miss one class maximum. Attendance is critical to business success in the program. Complete all weekly homework assignments on Google Classroom; Support will be offered to help participants learn how to use the platform and a portion of class time will be dedicated to starting homework assignments.

All assignments will contribute to the development of your business plan. Meet twice per month (every other week) with your SFHDC Technical Assistance provider for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes each. Participating businesses will need access to a laptop or desktop computer, and high speed internet to fully participate in Zoom sessions and complete homework assignments.

A computer will also help you conduct your regular business and facilitate your business growth. If you need support accessing low-cost technology, please explore these options under $250: Chromebook , Dell Laptop . After attending the first class, you will receive a grant payment of $500 that you can use to purchase technology if needed.

If you need any assistance exploring low-cost technology options, please contact Jess Mataka at jessica. mataka@sfhdc. org .

Applications for MMBOB Cohorts are Currently Closed. The application period for new cohorts will be announced via email on an ongoing basis. If you have any questions about the program application, please contact Pia Harris at pia.

harris@sfhdc. org . Example Cohort & Stipend Schedule: Example Activity Example Timeline Applications Open Applications Close Review Period Anticipated Announcement of Cohort 1 Selection Cohort 1 Orientation (Attendance Required) Weekday from 5:30 P.

M. – 6:30 P. M.

Workshop 1 Weekday from 5:30 P. M. – 7:30 P.

M.

Grant Payment 1 Checks issued after attending the first class Workshop 2 Workshop 3 Workshop 4 Grant Payment 2 Workshop 5 Workshop 6 Workshop 7 Workshop 8 Grant Payment 3 Workshop 9 Workshop 10 Workshop 11 Workshop 12 Final Grant Payment Businesses who participate in the program will: Develop a carefully considered business plan Improve understanding of key business concepts, including but not limited to the following: Defining your unique value proposition Analyzing your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges Identifying your target market Developing a marketing strategy Building your personal and business credit Establishing sound accounting and record keeping practices Creating profit and loss statements Build a supportive professional network of Black-owned businesses Receive up to $10,000 in grant funds to invest in your business development Applications for Minding My Black-Owned Business will be prioritized based on the following criteria: Business owner is a current or displaced resident of the Fillmore/Western Addition neighborhood Business operations or services are currently, or will be, conducted in the Fillmore/Western Addition Business has not previously participated in or received funding from other Dream Keeper Initiative programs Business has a clear and viable business description Business is an existing client of the Fillmore Merchants and Neighborhood Collaborative or San Francisco Housing Development Corporation MMBOB IMPACT & TESTIMONIALS Statistics from SFHDC’s Completed MMBOB Cohorts: 135 program graduates in 5 cohorts 600 hours of Technical Assistance provided to businesses 97 businesses received start-up stipends & completed their business plans 13 businesses are currently receiving 12 months of quickbooks and bookkeeping services 25 businesses are currently receiving inventory and marketing stipends MMOBOB connected me with some very brilliant tax experts and bookkeepers.

I was able to learn about every important form to sign as a tax payer and entrepreneur. I was able to successfully file my taxes. Thanks to MMBOB!

As a person who considers themselves pretty organized, I've gotten even more organized and am transitioning some of my past ways into ways I've learned or created while in class. Additionally, I'm getting clear on what my actual Operations & Procedures System is. If you've got goals, dreams, and plans of entrepreneurship, this is the program that will help you live it.

The most valuable [part of this cohort] for me has been the assigned bookkeeper. Taxes have by far been the hardest part of my business, since I have never had an official bookkeeper helping me stay organized and on track. Thank you to our partners.

Interested in becoming an SFHDC partner? Contact us now .