Edition: 
Green Business

2008
 July/August

In this Edition:

Green Initiatives at
AnewAmerica

Certified Green Business Program

Events
-Graduation
-9th Anniversary Gala & Microbusiness Expo

Media
-Univision

Profiles
-Entrepreneur: An Pham
-Sponsor Spotlight
-Entrepreneur: Gloria Ramon
 

News
-Social Responsibility Festival
-Bridge 2 Success
 

Volunteer & Wish Lists

-Investor's Guild

Donor Appreciation

Green Initiatives at AnewAmerica

AnewAmerica defines a “Green Business” as a socially, culturally, and ecologically responsible enterprise that enhances the quality of life in the community in which it operates.   AnewAmerica’s Business Planning college certificate course emphasizes the importance of designing  a green business from the beginning stages of drafting the business plan.  Our new American microentrepreneurs recognize their power to create positive change in the community.

AnewAmerica encourages our clients to take the steps within their means to green their businesses, and provides them with the networking and consulting they need to work toward environmental sustainability. 

AnewAmerican clients are pursuing green business aspirations in the following fields:  solar panel retail and installation, international solar energy trade, environmentally-friendly cleaning services, organic catering services, cafes selling organic and fair trade goods, and producing reusable organic cotton bags.  Your support of AnewAmerica enables us to assist our entrepreneurs to launch these visions into realities.   

Graduation Ceremony
August 28th (stay tuned for more info!)

9th Anniversary Gala & Microbusiness Expo set for November 13th!
 Join us at a new location this year, the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland.  VIP Reception 5p.m., Gala & Expo 6:00p.m.-9:30p.m. 
This year's theme: Growing Green Business
Go to our website for more information:
http://www.anewamerica.org/gala_2008.htm

AnewAmerica in the Media

Television...

Univision Channel  14
June 21st, 6:00p.m. Director of Community Outreach and Social Responsibility, Edwin Rodriguez, and President & CEO, Sylvia Rosales-Fike, and several AnewAmerica entrepreneurs  were  interviewed at the Social Responsibility Festival.  
 

AnewAmerica’s Certified Green Business Program

This fall, AnewAmerica will launch our green business certification program, enabling our clients to work toward achieving broader, Bay Area Green Business Certification status.  The certification program will encourage our clients to conserve water and electricity, reduce waste, prevent pollution, and utilize local goods and services.  The program continues AnewAmerica’s tradition of emphasizing the importance of creating a socially responsible business and business owners. 

Look for the “Certified Green” logo in our participating entrepreneurs storefronts, on their business cards, and at their gala tables.  Join us in celebrating their efforts to go green!

Bridges Update!

The Bridge 2 Success Program is a volunteer program that offers professionals the opportunity to affect real change in our community by helping AnewAmerica’s eager microentrepreneurs, who have earned our Business Planning Certificate, put their plans into action.

Program Update: May: Business plans turned to action plans at two consulting sessions this month! Entrepreneurs worked 1-on-1 with Bridges to create measurable actions steps out of their business plans, develop their marketing strategies, and build effective financial plans to achieve their goals.

What Bridges said about 1-on-1 consulting sessions:

"I've really enjoyed meeting with the different entrepreneurs and being able to help them build their business. The entrepreneurs are very enthusiastic and put a lot of work into making their visions a reality. I love being able to use my knowledge and skills to help guide their efforts. It's also a great way for me to continue learning and gaining invaluable experience."  
-Kristine Holst, Williams Sonoma, Inc

June: Entrepreneurs learned how to develop their marketing positions and messaging at the Business Action Circle, “How to be a Smart Advertiser.”  Bridges Darren Ballegeer and Elena Miramar of Vision Hispana Newspaper/Vision Marketing offered entrepreneurs first-hand guidance on identifying their competitive edge and appealing to the media. 

This summer: We need 1-on-1 tutoring in the areas of marketing, cash-flow management, technology, business plan review, and action plan building. Bilingual volunteers are highly sought, those with Spanish and Vietnamese language skills in particular.

Volunteer Wish List:

In-Class Assistant
San Jose Office
Job description

Outreach Associate
San Jose Office
Job description

Bilingual
(Spanish and English)
Data Entry Assistant
Contact the Berkeley Office
(510) 540-7785

Gala 2008:
Media Relations Volunteer
Program Book Volunteer
Silent Auction Volunteer

Wish List:
Photoshop Software
InDesign Software
Adobe Software Training

Profiles

An Pham: International Solar Pioneer
With AnewAmerica’s Support, An Pham Launches into International Renewable Energy Enterprise!

An Pham graduated from AnewAmerica’s Business Planning course in June 2006.  Four months later, she opened HP Pottery, a business specializing in importing pottery from her native Vietnam.   On a recent trip to Vietnam, An realized that Vietnam’s acute power shortage was a major hindrance to the manufacturing industry, resulting in noncompetitively priced goods.  Further, workers quality of life suffered due to intermittent factory operations.  More than half of Vietnam’s population lives without electricity. 

An recognized the potential for abundant solar and wind energy opportunities in Vietnam, and she harnessed the entrepreneurial skills she learned at AnewAmerica to embark on a project that will have a tremendous environmental and economic impact in her home country.  With AnewAmerica by her side, An founded Global Investment for Trade, LLC.

An is traveling the world, armed with her prior business experience, intelligence, perseverance, and a solid business plan, to successfully raise millions of dollars for her project. She is also receiving funding from the United Nations.  Three working models of solar panels have already been installed in Hanoi and South Vietnam and by the end of July, several more windmills and panels will be in operation.  An is currently working with over fifty Vietnamese companies who are interested in receiving electricity from these solar and wind farms.  An hopes that the success of this venture will encourage other businesses to follow in her path and switch to sustainable energy sources. 

An Pham in her own words…

The knowledge I picked up through my courses at AnewAmerica applies to all of my ventures.  With AnewAmerica’s  support, I was ready to face the difficult task of raising funds for this project and to make this dream a reality. 

From my perspective, the profit lies in the benefits to the health of our planet and to the Vietnamese people.  What most people don’t realize is that switching to renewable energy sources can lead to significant savings.  What is good for the Earth is good for all people.

An’s business model is an example of AnewAmerica’s dedication to creating socially responsible businesses: the majority of An’s profits are donated to the Long Buu Charity Medical Clinic in Vietnam. 

Sponsor Spotlight: Mechanics Bank
Erwin Reeves, Chief Operating Officer of Mechanics Bank Community Development Corporation 

 Microenterprise is an important segment of our economy.  Organizations like AnewAmerica provide microenterprise development with effective compassion.  They work with clients to make sure they have the information they need to make quality decisions. 

Mechanics Bank takes its role as a community bank very seriously, and this involves a commitment to improving the health of the community.  Although it is challenging for the bank to be a green business, we are making the effort because of its overall importance to the environment.  This is a natural alignment with AnewAmerica’s emphasis in creating socially and environmentally responsible microenterprises.  Whether these businesses eventually become our customers or our vendors, we acknowledge them for doing positive things for our environment and enhancing our community. 

Entrepreneurs drive the American economy.  The fact that these entrepreneurs happen to be new Americans really speaks to the history of our nation.  Thanks to AnewAmerica’s effective programs, this next generation of entrepreneurs is being empowered to provide for their families, contribute to the overall productivity of the economy, and interact with existing businesses.  This is an example of the ongoing revolution in business.   

 Gloria Ramon: Cleaning and Greening San Jose
Gloria Ramon, AnewAmerica Class of 2008, is the founder of Natural Living Professional House Cleaning, a San José microenterprise dedicated to green cleaning.  Gloria was inspired to start a green business while researching the effects mainstream cleaning products have on the environment and workers’ health.  Gloria utilizes all natural cleaning products in the houses she cleans.  Her goal is to be an industry leader in the emerging field of non-toxic cleaners and to improve methodology in order to save time, money, and natural resources. 

 Gloria is assisted and encouraged to develop her business through the guidance of AnewAmerica.

AnewAmerica motivates me to set and achieve goals.  It’s so easy to say ‘I’ll do it tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow…’ but AnewAmerica tells me I have to  start now! 

AnewAmerica’s Social Responsibility Festival a Great Success! 

On Saturday, June 21^st, AnewAmerica hosted our first ever outdoor Social Responsibility Festival in De La Fuente Plaza in Fruitvale.  The festival began with live music from AnewAmerica entrepreneur and Latino folk musician, Francisco Herrera (pictured right).  Following a lively musical start, guest speakers took the stage to educate the audience on key issues challenging our communities. 

Ramon Cardona from Centro Latino Cuscatlan spoke about immigrants rights, Kevin Stein from California Reinvestment Coalition covered the challenges facing potential homeowners, and Gerardo Marin from the Ecology Center educated the audience about access to organic, healthy food in underserved communities. 

Partner organizations that were represented with informational booths included the Ecology Center, Grid Alternatives, California Youth Energy Services, Juma Ventures, Green Café Network, California Reinvestment Coalition, ACORN Housing, Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation, and Mujeras Unidas.  These organizations are working alongside AnewAmerica to address the issues challenging the economic, social, cultural, and environmental health of our communities. 

Alongside participating organizations’ displays, AnewAmerica entrepreneurs actively involved in social responsibility had tables displaying their goods and services, creating a microbusiness expo that represented AnewAmerica’s holistic microenterprise development training. 

AnewAmerica President and C.E.O., Sylvia Rosales-Fike addressed the audience about the importance of cultural, social, and environmental responsibility in the business world. 

The highlight of the festival was AnewAmerica’s 2^nd Annual Food Contest.  Nine contestants created savory dishes from Peru, El Salvador, Mexico, Italy, and Indonesia, to vie for cash prizes.  Maria Elena Yuli took home 1^st place with her Peruvian delicacy, “Chancho Adobado” (marinated pork).   

Invest in an Entrepreneur’s Future Today! 
In response to our supporters, AnewAmerica has created the Investor's Guild.  The Investor’s Guild is a pledge program that allows you to contribute a small amount each month while making a big and long-term investment in new Americans working to build economic stability for their families, communities and America.

It’s fast and easy to join.  Visit our website and follow the link to our secure donation page to set up your monthly pledge to AnewAmerica using your credit card: http://anewamerica.org/investorsguild.htm

Select the amount that fits your budget, and we will process your payment as you choose. To cancel, simply notify AnewAmerica at any time.   For more information, or to make your Investor’s Guild contribution over the phone, please contact us at 510.540.7785 or  InvestorGuild@anewamerica.org.

Thank you to our recent donors!
 

Thank you so much for your continued support,

Sylvia Rosales-Fike
President & CEO