COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Pictured : SiewYee Lee-Alix , Director , Sacramento Valley SBDC ; Josephine Odom , Owner , Stepping Stone Auto Sales ( inset , top ); Jacqueline Foster , Owner , Taste Buds Barbeque ( inset , bottom )
Founded in 1982 , California Capital Financial Development Corporation has been an invaluable resource to small businesses for 40 years . The organization ’ s services encompass more than two dozen impactful programs that include business training , workshops , webinars , counseling and technical assistance , as well as a full range of access to capital programs allowing for microloans up to $ 150,000 and guaranteed loans up to $ 20 million .
In January , California Capital launched its Sacramento Valley Small Business Development Center ( SBDC ), providing a full scope of business development services to new and existing businesses in the Sacramento region , including Sacramento , Yolo , Yuba and Sutter counties . The SBDC complements the success and positive impacts California Capital ’ s Women ’ s Business Center , Procurement Technical Assistance Center and Access to Capital programs already have on the region ’ s small and microenterprise businesses .
“ We are honored to be designated as an SBDC host by the U . S . Small Business Administration ,” says Deborah Lowe Muramoto , president and CEO . “ We are also
California Capital 40 Years of Serving the Small Business Community
pleased to introduce SiewYee Lee-Alix as director of the Sacramento Valley SBDC . Mrs . Lee-Alix brings the leadership qualities and experience to expand and develop programs that enhance our continuum of services , as well as that of the NorCal Small Business Development Center network of SBDCs .”
Through a Wells Fargo Open for Business grant , California Capital has helped finance businesses making an impact in local communities . Stepping Stone Auto Sales owner Josephine Odom secured capital in 2021 to increase her inventory of used cars and move to a location with more visibility and traffic . With more working capital , she is keeping her community mobile .
Another example is Jacqueline Foster , a chef who founded Taste Buds BBQ with her husband and applied for financing to hire staff ahead of their grand opening . With California Capital ’ s assistance , the Fosters are building momentum for their business and will open soon .
Looking ahead , Lowe Muramoto says , “ We will continue to expand programs and services to reach small and microenterprise businesses with the support , resources and access to capital to foster the resiliency needed to cope with the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic .”
“ Making intentional investments in diverse small businesses continues to be our focus . California Capital plays a critical role in helping stabilize and grow our regional economy .”
-Kären Woodruff , Vice President of Social Impact , Wells Fargo
profile generously sponsored by
CACAPITAL . ORG
62 comstocksmag . com | December 2021