Jesse from Brooklyn Taco serving his gourmet tacos!

Guests sampled a range of tasty, locally made dishes supplied by ACCION USA’s clients, from mouth watering Cola and Orange Braised Pork Shoulder Tacos courtesy of Brooklyn Taco to Sweet Plantain and White Cheese Arepas from Arepas Café. Dinner was washed down with either a complimentary Sam Adams beverage or a homebrewed beer sample from the homebrewer tasting competition (congrats to Jason Faulkner with his winning brew, “Lions Mane”!). And finally, no event is complete without dessert! Thanks to The Chocolate Swirl for providing their imaginative and gourmet brownie pops.

ACCION USA CEO Paul Quintero speaks about the impact of domestic microfinance.

To round off the night, ACCION USA’s CEO Paul Quintero spoke about the impact of domestic microfinance and introduced a few clients to share their personal stories about the journey of a small business owner. Underscoring the profound importance of financial inclusion, Jesse Kramer, owner of Brooklyn Taco, explained the challenges of securing financing for his business from a local bank. “As a recent graduate from culinary school with debt from student loans, no bank would take me seriously,” Jesse explained. Jesse’s dream of operating a culinary business that paid tribute to Mexican heritage while still celebrating a hip, modern Brooklyn culture was brought to life with a $5,000 microloan from ACCION USA. With it, Jesse expanded his business to a larger vendor space in the Essex Street Market, where his business continues to thrive.

It’s personal stories of determination and entrepreneurial spirit like Jesse’s that bring tremendous meaning to ACCION USA’s work  to support small business owners and job creation. We thank Jesse for his tireless work as a microentrepeneur and all of the guests and volunteers who made the Microfinance Harvest Festival an evening to be remembered!

Pictures have been posted to our Facebook page – check them out and tag yourself too!

Food industry veteran Gregory conceived Mi Kitchen es su Kitchen in 1996, as a time-share rental facility available to up-and-coming food entrepreneurs. As the hands-on director of this consulting firm, her role is essentially twofold: she forms strategic alliances with not-for-profits who have an existing kitchen space and transforms it into a business incubator rental facility, which generates new revenue for the host organizations. At the same time, each kitchen incubator provides a nurturing facility to encourage start-up food business clients. Gregory advises clients on food safety, license requirements and legal issues while they work on perfecting their concepts in a legal working environment. She also oversees and hosts seminars for potential clients of the facility. The first incubator was established in Brooklyn and the concept is being developed for a nationwide rollout.

Please feel free to contact us to learn more about the successful attributes of this partnership and how we can replicate it with you!

In New York—Erica Dorn edorn@accionusa.org

In New England- Elizabeth Garlow egarlow@accionusa.org

Nationwide- Jennifer Spaziano jspaziano@accionusa.org

In college I went on spring break service trips to a village in Nicaragua two years in a row, each time hoping not only to gain a personal learning experience but also to make a lasting impact on the people there. When I was there last year I met an amazing woman named Francesca who has a small bread making business out of her home. She sold it to everyone in the town and would walk a few miles every day to sell it in the larger community of Somotillo. I remember Francesca saying that she could sell much more bread if she had another oven built, but she couldn’t afford it.

After coming back to the United States, I heard about microlending in a class and started thinking back to Francesca. I researched more into the world of microfinance and found Kiva.org. I was absolutely amazed with the fact that while I was finishing my senior year at Eckerd College in Florida, I could be lending to people just like Francesca anywhere in the world, including Somotillo. I realized that this would make a much larger impact than going there for a week every year. That’s when I knew I wanted to be involved on a larger scale.

Having been fortunate enough to travel to developing countries like China, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, it never crossed my mind that microfinance could benefit citizens of the United States. Since the start of my internship at Accion USA, I’ve learned that microfinance institutions in the United States are helping create opportunities for people in this struggling economy. I’ve realized that there are entrepreneurs like Francesca here in the US–in New York City, even on my block– who need the same financial assistance than people abroad. Some of these people have come thousands of miles from countries far and wide to live the “American dream”, but I can’t imagine how difficult that must be when most traditional financial institutions offer little or no support.

Accion USA works right here in our backyard and the mission is not to lift people out of poverty as much as it is to help small businesses thrive. I’ve been noticing how many jobs in the United States we’ve been helping create by giving small business loans. Every day, as I continue to learn the ins-and-outs of microfinance in the US, I pass by our clients in the streets of New York City and it reminds me why the mission of microfinance is so important to me.

Alexandra Mills is the Kiva Coordinator Intern at ACCION USA. She is a graduate of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL.

October 4 marked a successful “Food Labeling” workshop (part 1 of 3) from the Sam Adams Brewing the American Dream program. Held at Sam Adams HQ’s in Boston, the event was led by industry specialists from Sam Adams and ACCION USA and had a fantastic showing of 46 local food and beverage entrepreneurs. The workshop, which covered a range of food labeling topics, is part of a broader mentoring campaign to help empower small businesses around the country with capital and invaluable industry knowledge.

Elizabeth Garlow, Business Development Officer at ACCION USA, commented that many food and beverage business owners in the audience were very impressed with how relevant the training was, a small business owner remarking that “it’s impossible to get this information anywhere else.” One attendee learned that local businesses were at an advantage because it is easier to create brand loyalty, considering that today many customers want to meet the owner and know the history of the business. Another attendee learned that listing “whole peppercorn” as an individual ingredient instead of listing all spices/flavors as “spices” will mitigate risk for a company. If you want to learn the logic behind this and other industry related advice from the event, check out a blogpost about the workshop from one of the attendees, Bienne Foods.

Register for part two of the “Food Labeling” workshop series to take place on Tuesday, October 11 called “Federal Regulation and Marketing Your Product.”

As the craft brew scene in America blossoms, ACCION USA is working alongside the industry’s leader and pioneer Samuel Adams to champion small craft brewers by providing microloans to start or expand a home or contract brewing operation, storefront brewery or brewpub.

Our Craft Brewer Loan Fund is making a splash across the country, supporting unique brews like California based Mateveza , Roc Brewing Company in Rochester NY and Flounder Brewing in Hillsborough. Through a recent loan to a home brew supply shop, we feel we’re starting to make a real mark on an exciting movement.

A few years ago, I (Erica) read an article in New York magazine about a couple that had opened a homebrew shop in Brooklyn. I remember being impressed by knowing that something like this could exist, that a young couple, both former chefs could open their own hobby store in the midst of the greatest recession my generation has seen.

Danielle and Benjamin’s homebrew shop is nestled in a swampy yet very hip neighborhood called Gawanus in Brooklyn. You feel like a happy hobbit walking into their garden level brew dwelling- upon entering you see a magnificently organized candy store for the likes of hobby craft brewers.  When they responded to my direct email about the Brewing the American Dream Program, I biked over as quickly as I could to explain the awesome benefits that ACCION and Sam Adams have to offer their crafty community.

When Benjamin and Danielle opened Brooklyn homebrew they did it without the help of a bank or a credit card. They started selling from their home at first and later expanded to their store front on 3^rd avenue. The issue Danielle and Benjamin were encountering was having space to keep enough inventory-they are able to sell out of their entire stock, sometimes in just one weekend!   Once Danielle and Benjamin submitted their application and a few documents, ACCION USA was able to approve them for a loan of $10,000 to buy a larger fridge and to rent a storage space nearby to keep their beer booty.

As the American craft beer renaissance continues to take off in Brooklyn, so does their business.

At ACCION, we are very excited to be contributing to an incredible movement of entrepreneurial creativity.  In addition to providing capital, mentorship, and PR support, our Craft Brewer Program has offered brewers the opportunity to apply for the Samuel Adams Experienceship.  Stay tuned for more details on how you can help us select our winner!   

-Erica and Elizabeth, ACCION USA Loan Brewistas.

Natasha Wozniak Designs, Natasha Wozniak

Natasha began working as an artist at fifteen, and her passion for design has been a journey ever since. From this early age, she knew she wanted to work in metal, and learned the art through a variety of sources, from university schooling in Wisconsin to field work in Nepal alongside Buddhist statuary makers. Natasha began her career in jewelry as a bench jeweler in New York, churning out rings and earrings by the hundreds and thousands for various designers. After gaining the necessary industry experience, Natasha decided to work independently, designing and creating her hand-fabricated jewelry collection in her own studio. Natasha now sets her own schedule and designs her own pieces, among them unique engagement rings, work for select galleries, and new wall pieces.

Her entrepreneurial spirit and uniquely-crafted pieces have brought Natasha nationwide success. She travels all over the country for jewelry and design shows, and her work is now displayed in galleries in multiple states. However, in early 2010, Natasha needed help straightening out her finances, but couldn’t get a traditional bank loan. She found ACCION USA online, and applied for an ACCION USA loan via our online platform. She was quickly approved for a loan of $5,000, and is now working closely with ACCION USA to get the business side of her artistic passion on track.

To take a look at Natasha’s work and make purchases, visit her website at www.natashajewelry.com.

Sandra Baquero, Sandra Nieto

Sandra is an up and coming fashion designer in New York who hails from Colombia, and brings a Latin American sense of style to her popular handmade designs. Fashion is a difficult and time-consuming field, but Sandra is so passionate about design that she is willing to persevere through hardship. She has worked her way up in New York – and is now featured in several Manhattan boutiques, and has her own online shop.

However, times got tough for Sandra and her family when the recession hit, her husband lost his job, and Sandra became the sole supporter of her family, unfortunately this meant that she could not save enough money to pay entrance to various New York trade shows in Bryant Park and Madison Square Park, a major source of income for Sandra. She started looking for a loan to cover the costs, but had difficulty obtaining a loan from a bank. She discovered ACCION USA at a panel discussion at the Colombian Consul in April of 2010. ACCION USA gave Sandra a $6,000 loan that would cover the fees to participate in annual trade shows.

Thanks to the boost ACCION USA gave to Sandra, her business has become very successful, she is now so busy that she has hired  two part-time seamstresses to help prepare for the busy trade show season.  Take a look at Sandra’s line at www.sandrabaquero.com/ or shop for her clothing on Etsy.

Cousin & Co., Undra Duncan and Shekima Francois

Cousins Shekima and Undra started out by making their own purses to wear to parties. After they got enough attention from other people, they decided to make it into a business. Undra remembers in 2004 when they bought some leather and tried to find a sample maker to take them seriously. They had been trying to a get a loan from a bank, but they found it to be very difficult. “When ACCION USA gave us the opportunity, we were like ‘wow, they’re actually taking a risk with us.’” Cousin & Co. has had two loans with ACCION USA and is currently supported by the Tory Burch Foundation.

Watch an interview with Shekima, Undra, & Tory Burch. To shop for Cousin & Co handbags visit: www.cousinandco.com

Overall Baby, Jenny Kim

Imagine that if as a kid you could have your favorite pair of overalls redone with a more interesting fabric. That’s what Jenny Kim did. During college, Jenny began fascinated with overalls while she worked for a clothing line that featured workwear items for children. After pursuing other interests, she returned to her fascination with overalls in 2006. Jenny explains that, “Overalls are a very practical purchase for parents because the adjustable straps make it easy for children to grow into and extend the life of its wear.”

Jenny started selling her brand of overalls on Etsy.com, an online community of buyers and sellers for handmade crafts. Her overalls are now available in stores nationwide, and even internationally in Australia, Canada, Italy, and Indonesia.  In order to keep up her high selling inventory, Jenny approached ACCION USA for a loan. Overall Baby is now ready for the holiday season.

In need of a baby gift or just want to live vicariously through these adorable items? Visit Jenny’s website at www.overallbaby.com

Karisma, Arlyn Zacarías

As a single mother, Arlyn has always loved the flexibility of working for herself, even when she lived in her home country of the Dominican Republic she used her entrepreneurial spirit to make a living . In the United States Arlyn started making money by shopping for discounted clothes at the Macy’s in Manhattan and selling it door to door in the Bronx. Little by little her business started growing and in October 2008 Arlyn was able to save up enough to open her own boutique in the Bronx called “Karisma.”

Arlyn’s boutique has a nice variety of women’s clothes handbags, shoes, and custom jewelry, but unfortunately that wasn’t always the case. In 2010 Arlyn was having a hard time getting enough inventory for her store, she needed a loan to make a bigger purchase and fill up her store. As a new immigrant, Arlyn had very little credit, so banks were not ever an option, luckily one of her friends had heard about ACCION USA, a local non-profit organization that spoke her language and was able to help those with younger credit histories.  Arlyn met with her loan consultant (Evelyn) and together figured out a loan amount she could take on without putting herself in debt. A couple of weeks later, Arlyn received a $6000 loan and thanks to that she was able to but the current beautiful and fashionable items that fill her store today.

Visit Arlyn’ store in the Bronx: 1343 Ogden Ave, New York, NY 10452

Every day at ACCION USA we see the faces of those we work for, individuals, who with the help of business loans and financial education, fulfill their dreams of becoming financially independent and able to provide for their loved ones.  However, sometimes we don’t really know exactly how our loan is working to change a life.

Hurricane Irene Damage in New Jersey -Picture taken by Monica Castillo

Today, we learned a life lesson on what our recent loan meant for a client named “Magda.”  In thanking us, here is what she wrote to Karla, the loan consultant who helped her with her application (translated from Spanish): 

“Thanks again for your help in closing the loan; at this moment, you don’t even realize how important it was.  Hurricane Irene may have left us without power until this Friday and almost all our food would have perished.  Thanks to the loan, we were able to stay at a hotel and purchase the food we needed, since I am no longer able to cook due to the lack of power.  There was no way that my three daughters and I could survive at home without electricity and running water.  On behalf of my daughters, I want to thank you again for your timely assistance.  I thank God that we are alright and that our home and families are fine.  I hope you and yours are also well. 

Take care,

  -Magda.”

What if your life depended on a loan?  At ACCION USA, we know that our work literally transforms the life of every client and today I was reminded of the magnitude of our impact. Maybe we don’t really know who we are working for—we thought it was for a person, but in this case, it was for the preservation of life itself.

-Post by Paul Quintero, ACCION USA CEO. To find out more about ACCION loans, please visit www.accionusa.org

According to the results of our field tests, each AUSA small business loan recipient creates 3 new jobs on average. Wages provided by ACCION USA borrowers are 24% higher than the national minimum wage. The business survival rate among ACCION USA clients is 89% for start up businesses.

Joann recieved a sprout loan from ACCION USA for her home based cheesecake business

Culinary student, Joann spent 30 years perfecting her cheesecake recipe and decided to start a pastry business out of her home. With a loan from ACCION USA, she was able to expand her advertising and her selection of products. She now rents a space at the local green market and sells her wares once a week.

Not only do we provide capital for entrepreneurs to start their businesses, but we are also invested in seeing them succeed. One of our most successful financial education programs is the Sam Adams Brewing the American Dream Program. Run by Jim Koch, founder of Sam Adams and fellow entrepreneur, this program offers small business coaching sessions for entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industries. Sit in on a session on June 13!

Check out more about the Urban Summit: Use hashtag #urbansummit on twitter:

@SteveCase: WATCH LIVE: Urban Entrepreneurship Summit http://bit.ly/m0dGbM #StartUpAmerica #UrbanSummit

CEO Paul Quintero inspiring us to think beyond any limits we have set for ourselves

On Wednesday we had a orientation at ACCION USA for our summer interns- 14 interns joined from New York and remotely from Atlanta and Boston through our gotomeeting platform and via Skype.

A few of the most memorable moments were when our “historian” Carmen told stories about our first clients, seeing the interns in Boston live through Skype video and of course, our CEO Paul Quintero uplifting everyone’s spirits and dreams about the limitless possibilities at ACCION USA.

A warm welcome to our entire Summer ACCION USA intern brigade!

In Atlanta:

• David McNeill is a Lending and Outreach Intern who recently returned from his Kiva Fellowship in Sierra Leon- he is very excited about combining his international microfinance experience with work in Atlanta at ACCION USA.

In New York:

• Airi Kobayashi is a Communications Intern studying IT Business at Notre Dame University. Airi speaks Japanese and Mandarin and has worked in marketing, technology, and design.
• Alvaro Gutierrez is a Lending Intern. Alvaro studied Business Administration and has experience teaching and working with entrepreneurs in his home country of Chile. Alvaro also worked as an Business Executive in The Nielsen Company.
• Kimberly Edwards is a Lending and Financial Education Intern from Columbia University doing her year-long field placement at ACCION USA. Kimberly has previous microfinance experience working at Self Help in North Carolina.
• Alicia Quinn is a Volunteer Partnerships and Business Development Intern. Alicia is graduate intern from Columbia University doing her year-long field placement at ACCION USA. Alicia worked in health care administration for 7 years in Vail, Colorado.
• Etel Echevarria is a Lending Intern. A native to Argentina, Etel is completing her MPA at City University of New York. Etel previously interned at Make The Road New York.
• Matt Roth is a Lending In tern. Matt recently returned from the Peace Corps in El Salvador and is also working part-time in homeless outreach in New York City.
• Lauren Yothers is a Communications Intern who studied at the University of Miami. Lauren speaks Spanish and Portuguese and also worked in community development with a renowned activist and anthropologist in Haiti.
• Mauricio Delgado is a Lending Intern. A native to Ecuador, Mauricio completed his Business Administration degree from Queens college. Mauricio has many experiences working with small business in his home country and in the U.S.
• John Remson is a Resource De velopment Intern. John recently graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Government and Politics. John previously worked as an enumerator for the United States Census Bureau.
• Marisa Casellas is the Kiva Intern and a graduate student at NYU Wagner. Marisa worked for three years at the Hispanic Federation of New York and is fluent in Spanish and Italian.

In Boston:

• Hajar Elaalej is a lending summer interns.  Hajar recently graduated from Boston University with a double major in Economics and International Relations.  She is from Morocco however, moved to Boston to finish her studies in 2008.  She served at BU as the President of the Arab-Israeli Peace Alliance.
• Brinya Bjork is a Microtest Inte rn studying Business Administration from Notre Dame University. She has many experienences working as an advocate for the disabled, immigrant, women, homesless, and victims of natural disaster.
• Ryan Quillard is a Microtest Intern hailing from the University of Notre Dame where he studies Business Adminisatration. He has interned and/or worked at the Center For Homesless, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and as a swimming instructor in New Orleans.
• Carolyn McMahon is Managing Intern for Microtest. She is completing her Masters degree from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. She has vast experience in Justice working at a microcredit bank in Senegal, with a peace and justice organizations in San Fransc iso and San Deigo. She is driven to combine her experience and knowledge of microfinance with peace building initiatives.

Welcome to our newest Accionistas-Much of the success of ACCION USA is owed to the extraordinary talent and efforts of interns and volunteers.

Talk about sticking with something you love – Anne Mironchik has been playing music for over 30 years! After graduating from the Manhattan School of Music in 1988, Anne started teaching music to help support herself as she pursued her music career. She recently released a new album entitled Cookin in the Kitchen which includes her original work as well as the jazz standard “Laura” by Johnny Mercer. She was selected as a finalist with the UniSong International, which dubbed the demo version of Cookin’ in the Kitchen “…a juggernaut of a song!”

Anne runs her own production company, through which she released her most recent album. Anne’s loan from ACCION USA helped her with the production of this album. She also provides consulting and administrative assistance to two companies on a regular basis. Anne has recently started studying with jazz piano great, Mike Longo, and has really started to work on becoming a mature, accomplished jazz performer.

Celebrate small business week and check out Anne’s website to check out her music. Also don’t miss the chance to meet Anne Mironchik during the client tour at the 2011 Microfinance USA Conference on May 23 and 24th!