San Fernando Valley, CA — As a result of the economic crisis small business owners have found it more and more difficult to get the financing they need to stay in business, expand or even get started. During this credit crunch one way VEDC (Valley Economic Development Center) continues to bring resources and finance options to small business owners is by hosting the Where’s the Money?® Access to Capital Business Expo on Saturday, September 10, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Odyssey Restaurant, 15600 Odyssey Drive in Granada Hills.
This year marks the 10th year VEDC will be hosting this event in the San Fernando Valley. Where’s the Money? is a comprehensive access to capital event ideal for business owners looking for money for expansion, working capital, inventory, commercial real estate or equipment purchase.
This year’s event includes a networking breakfast with opening remarks from Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel and a formal luncheon featuring keynote speaker, Ernesto Gutierrez, President and CEO of Allied Industries, Inc. Ernesto is a former graduate of VEDC’s Entrepreneurial Training Program who started a small business out of his home in 1996. Since then his business has grown and expanded nationwide.
This year, Ernesto Gutierrez was the recipient of the John Aguilar Procurement Award from the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and a 2011 finalist Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year®. VEDC will also be presenting checks to some of their newest loan clients following the luncheon. There will be workshops from a wide range of business resource providers, a business expo and a loan pavilion, where business owners can schedule a one-on-one with an expert loan consultant. Workshop topics will focus on sources of unconventional financing and what it takes to qualify for a government loan; marketing strategies for non-marketing people and financial management.
This event is open to the public. Admission is $10 for the expo which includes the networking breakfast and luncheon. For more information or to register, please contact Lorena Jimenez at 818-837-3990 or visit www.vedc.org. Where’s the Money? is sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank and supported by Citibank, Bank of America, Chase, Union Bank and Comerica. VEDC is the largest non-profit business development corporation in Southern California and offers financial assistance, consulting and training to small and medium sized businesses throughout California.
For 35 years, VEDC has been a source for business owners who cannot obtain financing through a traditional financial institution. With programs such as the SBA Microloan and their own loan capital, VEDC is able to find solutions for these business owners even during this difficult time.