Microfinance? There’s an App for That.
Before you check out, "check in" with CauseWorld to earn karmas for ACCION USA.
Calling all iPhone and Android users! Thanks to the generosity of Citi, ACCION USA is now one of just 28 featured charities on the CauseWorld smartphone application. In a twist on the location-based social networking craze (think foursquare), CauseWorld’s over 300,000 users collect karmas by using their phones to “check-in” at retail stores, or to scan the bar codes of common retail products. Users then donate to the cause of their choice these karmas, which become (you guessed it) cold hard cash for their favorite charity.
Just think, you can enable a microloan to a hardworking microentrepreneur right here in the U.S. with every trip down the supermarket aisle. (Go for the Crest Whitestrips. Biggest karma for your buck.) All you need to get started is the free app, which is available for download at CauseWorld.com.
You can read more about CauseWorld on the New York Times’ “Bits” technology blog, The Wall Street Journal, and a bunch of other places. Thanks again to Citi and CauseWorld for supporting ACCION USA and U.S. microentrepreneurs.
Microfinance at Work in Boston: Video Success Story Series
Meet Adam Lantheaume, owner and founder of The Boston Shaker Inc., in the second post of our video borrower success story series, brought to you as part of our “Microfinance: It’s Not Charity, It’s a Chance” holiday awareness campaign and fund drive.
Adam is sprucing up the “specialty cocktail” industry by selling imported garnishes, hard to find cocktail bitters, staple barware and cocktail books. The Boston Shaker provides the ingredients and classes to build the ‘know how’ for hosting a cocktail party, or enjoying cocktails from the comfort of home.
How is Adam’s business making a difference?
The Boston Shaker Inc. is working to be ‘economy friendly’. “My business is helping people who, in this soft economy, are starting to do more things themselves at home rather than spending money going out.” Customers of The Boston Shaker are hailing from all over and latching to this idea! “That enthusiasm and the excitement I get from my customers is what keeps me going”, says Adam.
Adam is working hard to start small and expand his business, and opportunities for future employment. Adam recently moved into his own storefront space, after finding an innovative way to share rental space with a local retail store. “It was a really positive experience for both parties. [After sharing space], I better understand my future business goals and now, with my own four walls, I can do a lot more for the community that I’ve been trying to help.”
Encounter with ACCION USA
Adam learned about ACCION USA’s business loans by attending one of our free financial education seminars, The Fundamentals of Running a Successful Small Business. When he was ready, he applied for a small business loan to purchase materials for his classes and attend an annual gathering of the top individuals in his industry. As a recipient of the Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream Loan Fund at ACCION USA, Adam has taken advantage of the program’s speed coaching events, meeting one on one with experts to gain valuable advice.
Cheers to that!
Check out The Boston Shaker for your holiday shopping needs.
Microfinance at Work in Miami: Local Success Story Video Series
ACCION USA’s “Microfinance: It’s Not Charity, It’s a Chance” awareness and holiday fundraising campaign launched earlier this month and has since won critical acclaim. Thanks to everyone who has helped spread the word by sharing our video on Twitter, Facebook, email, and more. With nearly $3,000 raised, we’re at a steady pace to reach our final goal of $10,000 by the end of the year!
As part of the campaign, Main Street Microfinance will be bringing you video blogs of donors and borrowers from across the United States to inspire others to join the cause. Check out our first client video interview, from Miami, Florida:
Meet Everardo, owner of Branford’s Originals Hot Sauce. Using family recipes from his native Panama, Everardo concocts a wide variety of unique hot sauces and barbeque sauces (try the best selling Roasted Garlic sauce to add tangy spice to your grilled chicken.)
With a small business loan from ACCION USA, Everardo was able to expand his business and he now carries 10 sauces. You can find his sauces in Sedano’s Supermarkets and Whole Foods throughout Florida. If you’re outside the state, pick up a gift basket on the Branford’s website for the spicy food lover on your holiday gift list.
Thanks to Benjy Himmelfarb in Miami for the interview and video footage!
Top 7 Local, Online Retailers: Buy Local, Give Local this Holiday Season
As the holiday season kicks off, consumers are faced with the lingering question that haunts us every year. Where should I do my holiday shopping?
Check out Funky Urban's unique graphic T's
While the bargains and catchy jingles sported by huge mega stores seem inviting, I urge you to take a moment to think about the number of mom-and-pop retailers in your local area who would benefit much more from your business this holiday season. You can learn more about who these small business owners are in our new video.
Not only will you be helping small business owners, but you’ll find that local businesses offer bonuses you won’t find in larger stores. Small business owners pride themselves on providing great customer service. The small storefront means that , you will less likely be battling crowds for the last pair of gloves on the rack, the freshest flowers, or that prime piece of meat for your holiday celebration dinner.
So this holiday season, give back to the people who make up your local small business community by shopping locally. You won’t be disappointed.
To make it as easy as possible for you to support local small businesses, no matter your location, we’re giving you a list of small, local retailers that sell online—all are ACCION USA clients, and all are locally owned small businesses that are giving back to their communities.
- Funky Urban- cool printed t-shirts and hats for men, women and children.
- Jonathan Garcia Photography- sells and ships beautiful photos both framed and unframed.
- Bijules NYC Inc- gorgeous hand crafted jewelry and clothing.
- Dope Jams- an eclectic mix of records, books, DVDs and other odds and ends
- Diversity In Art- online art gallery dedicated to providing ethnic & cultural art that is representative of our own diverse backgrounds.
- iZon Greetings- special customized greeting cards for the holidays and all year round.
- Deborah’s Kitchen- scrumptious all natural, low sugar spreadable fruit and relish.
I’d love to hear from you—where are the local deals for holiday gift shopping near you?