Susan's Corner
Diamond Approach Online Program Director
The Diamond Approach is a contemporary spiritual path that combines ancient wisdom with modern psychology. The Ridhwan Foundation, a spiritual nonprofit based in Berkeley, California,
Small Business Valuation
Small Business Valuation Lately I’ve been consulting with people on selling their businesses. The first challenge is facing the realities of business valuation. Entrepreneurs love
Spark Lending Platform
Spark Lending Platform I’ve had several meetings with Nick Elders, Vice President of Technology Solutions and Services at Community Reinvestment Fund about their online small
Crowdfunding
Converts Social Capital into Currency Crowdfunding is an option for small business owners who have clients with a large, engaged online networks, but who can’t
Local Investing
Local Investing Here is a great story from Mendocino County – social impact lending using a Direct Public Offering (DPO) in which an investment opportunity
Opportunity Fund
Opportunity Fund, a CDFI based in San Jose that I’ve had the pleasure of working with on several projects, is impressive. They closed 1,500
Training the Business Trainers
Using CDBG funds, the Portland Development Commission (PDC) runs a business development program for low and moderate incomes residents. To deliver services they contract with
More Flawless Consulting
I participated in a Peter Block webinar based on his book, Flawless Consulting. As I’ve written in a previous post, his authentic-communication-with-compassion approach is refreshing.
CAMEO Microlending Forum
I facilitated CAMEO’s Microlending Forum in San Francisco where we digested the results of the Excellence in Lending assessment project I’ve been heading up for
Growing Businesses
I am working with growing businesses through JEDI’s Power Up Program, offering business and financial management tools. My part of the training covers the financial
Business Lending Webinars
This month, I designed and delivered a three-part webinar series for small business community lenders in California. The goal of the series was to provide
Microlending Primer
The Council of Development Finance Agencies asked me to give their membership an introductory webinar on microlending and the Do-It-Yourself economy. CDFA members are state,