SVBCC Newsletter
April 2014 
VOL 34

Important Chamber News for You
Table of Contents


PresMsgPRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
 
The Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce Paves the Way for Local Businesses to Grow Globally
by Rosaline Raj, Founding Principal, Creative Chaos Communications
 

Exporting, trade relations and community are increasingly becoming econo-

mic bright spots for small-business owners looking for growth beyond their borders. Led by Globetrend Consulting Group, The Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the SF African American Chamber of Commerce and the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, traveled to Africa to pave the way for global business expansion while exploring untapped markets and hidden talent. SVBCC President Carl Davis Jr., represented Silicon Valley and discusses high lights from the trip and what it means for the chamber and global business ideas.

 

What was the purpose of your trip to Africa?

My trip to Africa was truly a "Trip of a Lifetime." This was an opportunity for me to represent Silicon Valley and help bridge the business, financial and cultural gap between us (Africa & USA). We initiated conversations, explored collaborative ideas and opportunities and even started programs that will eventually benefit us doing business together.

 

Sounds like an impressive yet huge undertaking. Talk about one of the major highlights of the trip.

We met with Jakaya Kikwete, President of Tanzania and Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein, President of Zanzibar along with some of their top government officials during a 4-day symposium where African business and investment leaders expressed their interest in doing business with Americans. We talked about global entrepreneurism, expanding tourism and investment opportunities. We were treated as VIP dignitaries with the purpose of strengthening our relationship and to also assist in building a better business relationship between east Africa, Silicon Valley and Northern California. Our trade mission, unlike other trade missions to Africa, was special because the city of Vallejo is a "sister city" of the Tanzanian president's hometown, Bagamoyo.

 

The SVBCC has a fantastic business incubator program available to its members. Was there discussion on expanding the program?

Yes! I am honored to announce that the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce and George Mulamula, a senior government advisor & CEO of Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi), signed an agreement (MOU) during a press conference to not only support and expand our existing incubator programs, but also explore the development of a "virtual incubator" idea. Signing this agreement is a major milestone for our chamber and members because it opens up so many creative growth opportunities. It opens the door for businesses to partner, grow together and generate income in ways that they might not have thought of before, all while transcending cultural barriers. 

 

 **Please finish reading the rest of this great interview after the Events Section below. CLICK HERE





Workshop
  
  
 
 
WORKSHOP April 12th, 2014
"Ideas, Protect them, then turn them into $$$"
 
TIme: 9-11am
Location: SVBCC Conference Room (Limited Seating)
Fees: FREE for Members, $20 Non-Members

Industry experts will help you understand various aspects of intellectual property and the importance of protecting them in a timely manner. They will help those with "ideas" they have always had, and they felt would bring them lots of money. Know what to do with your ideas and determine if it really could bring you CASH.

 

Intellectual property experts will help you know how to navigate through the challenges of Trade Marks, Service Marks, and why they are important.

 

Listen to a story from Carl about how one of his friends became a multi-millionaire from just 1 idea.

 

  

Click Here to Register Today!!

*Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the Chamber at 408.288.8806

Fundraiser

SVBCC Fundraiser 

Come out for a night of fun and entertainment...

50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Chamber!!

Share on your Social Media pages!!

 

Saturday, May 3rd

San Jose SAP Center

7:30PM 

  Click Here for Event Flyer

 

BUY TICKETS TODAY!! 

*Tickets will be mailed directly to your home address.

SurveySURVEY
 
We want your feedback. It's important to us that we know what you want and what we are providing. Please take a moment and complete this short survey and Email or Fax back to us at 760.652.4818.


JobsJobs & Contracting
Opportunities

 

Jobs and Contractors List. 

 

SVBCC is asking those who have employment opportunities (jobs to fill) to call our office so we can post those jobs. 

 

Contractors who are seeking contracting opportunities on major Silicon Valley projects should call (408) 288-8806 or email our office [email protected]  to be added to our CONTRACTORS LIST.

 

*** Business to Buy  *** 

Call chamber for toner cartridge business that's up for sell near 4th and St. Johns.


 
MembershipAre you a SVBCC Member yet?

   SVBCC means Business

 

SVBCC is here to connect you to the people and resources most relevant to your business, whether you are a first-time entrepreneur, a growing company scaling its business, an investor looking for the next great opportunity or a professional firm providing entrepreneurs with resources and support.

 

Call our chamber, 408.288.8806, to explore how Membership with the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce can make a difference in the success of your business.

Ask how we calculate your membership fees and how you can earn credits for referrals of other businesses to the chamber. Here's a partial list of the benefits of being a member of our chamber of commerce:

  • Learn how to Properly Start Your Business
  • Learn techniques on how to Grow & Finance Your Business
  • Even Learn how to Exit Your Business

 IncuPrgm

Incubator Program & Office Space Rental

 

Need an Office Cubicle and/or a business address for your business?  

 

ONLY 1 Cubicle Left! Need an Office Cubicle or just need a business address (and use of office sometimes "Virtual Office")  for your business? Enjoy meeting your clients in a professional business atmosphere. Enjoy FREE parking for yourself and your clients. Enjoy 24 hr access to your office cubicle and use of a conference room and shared printer. Get SBDC business consulting advice through your relationship with our chamber. 
Call the Chamber for details at 408.288.8806.

 

   


Upcoming
More April & Upcoming Events
and March things you may have missed...

Upcoming Events:

  • April 10th:  Silicon Valley Business Xpo, Vendor Booths Available, FREE for everyone to attend! Click Here for Flyer
  • April 26th: NAACP 62nd Annual Freedom & Friendship Gala at the Hyatt Place in San Jose 

Previous Events:

  • March SVBCC Workshop "Access to Capital"

  

  

  • Jesse Jackson in EPA and at HP Shareholder Meeting

  

 

  • March Networking Mixer: Success at Lillie Mae's House of Chicken & Waffles - Rhonda, Owner of restaurant shown below
 

 

  


Pres2THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE CONTINUED....

Financing is a huge challenge for many businesses regardless of location or size. How can small businesses gain access to funding to do business in Africa?  

SVBCC is looking into more public and private partnerships in regards to funding. Our USA government has new initiatives to assist projects to help build Africa and private funding is also available for projects that look profitable. Gap financing, whether here or in Africa is still a small business persons challenge.

  

What is the mindset, the market and business opportunities you see in Tanzania and Zanzibar. 

Like anywhere else, some of the top minds in the world are in Africa. Education and creativity are what is being taught to young Africans as their way to turn their continent around. People speaking multiple languages by nature have better opportunities to do business with more countries just through better communications. The group of folks I met were amazing people. They were loving, kind, extremely sharp and entrepreneurial, while having a heart to look out for each other; something you don't see as much here. There is so much untapped talent in Tanzania and all of Africa that our "Virtual Incubator" idea, we believe will one day show it. As far as markets, the Spice trade and other agricultural products could be huge for trading world-wide. The Zanzibar region is known for its aromatic spices and according to the FDA, the U.S. is one of the largest importers of spices with more than 80 percent of the supply being provided by imports. We also talked about growing tourism and working to bring some of the brightest minds from Africa to Silicon Valley, so look for that to happen soon.

 

Was this trip all business?

For me it was, but others in the group actually went to safari on the Serengeti, yet as you see in some of the photos, the places and tours we took were amazing. I learned a lot about the history of Tanzania and Africa while there. I actually wowed a few ladies speaking Swahili (smile). You can see a video & photos of trip at http://theregistrybayarea.com/the-tanzania-trade-mission/

 

What were the 2 or 3 key business lessons you learned from your trip? 

1) Africa is quickly becoming another huge consumer market, so what you see selling here will sell there. 2) Corruption exists world-wide so be wise in who you deal with there. We believe your chances are better working with and through our chamber and other known US government agencies to best position your investment and business opportunities. 3) If you're really thinking global you must think of Africa, too.

 

I would also say that when we decide to go again back to Africa, that every serious globally minded business person should consider going with us. This by far may be the best way to connect with the right people to do good business there in Africa.

 

For more information, please visit www.blackchamber.com.

We don't SPAM. What chamber Email list would you like to be on:

1)      General, receive All chamber emails

2)      Newsletter ONLY, once a month

 

Reply if you would like to be placed on either of the above.

 

Before you ever think about "disconnecting" give us a call and see if we can accommodate you and your email needs. (408) 288-8806, as a matter of fact share with a friend and let them decide how to connect with us.

 

Carl Davis, Jr
President/Executive Director






SVBCC
25 N. 14th Street
Suite 400
San Jose, CA  95112
408.288.8806 Office
408.288.8896 Fax
Leadership Team
 
Shontee Lamar
Sales & Marketing

Felicia Davis
Research, Training & Development

Alicia Owens
Inventory, Distribution & Operations

Carl Davis Jr
Finance & Administration

Newsletter provided by iVBS: 

 

We offer virtual Operational & Administrative business support services to help increase your 

productivity and ensure growth!

 

[email protected] ~ 408.599.7660 ~ www.ivirtualbusinessservices.com