Home East County Brentwood: Small Business Expo Aimed to Educate Business Owners

Brentwood: Small Business Expo Aimed to Educate Business Owners

by ECT

A joint small business expo was held Tuesday morning in Brentwood to assist home based business and start up companies.

The expo was a joint effort between Congressman Jerry McNerney and Assemblyman Jim Frazier who wanted to help their constituents work through some of the complex laws and tax codes that go with running a business. They were joined by Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor.

McNerney shared how he was eager to help small business because they were the backbone of this country.

“We were all business owners before going into politics,” said Jerry McNerney. “Which is why we are so eager to see you succeed because we know that most of the new jobs created in this country are created by small businesses by 80% and 60% of employees are employed by small business so it’s the backbone of our country.”

McNerney said he was thrilled that people were here and he hoped they succeed.

Assemblyman Jim Frazier said he was a small business owner for more than 20-years and understands the regulatory processes and keeping your books in the black.

“It’s an honor to try and be a voice and be able to stand up and say this is not right and will effect business 10-steps down the line,” said Frazier. “I will continue to fight for small business because when I leave office, I have to go back to work with my nail bags back on because I was self-employed and need to continue to make money. I selfishly want the business climate better in 10 years so I can pick up where I left off. It’s imperative that the business climate improves.”

Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor thanked everyone for their attendance.

“Being a small business man, I had 20-people working for me, between the workman’s compensation papers, Board of Equalization, and then the state stopping you, the freaking federal government stopping you, it’s no wonder you can even stay alive,” said Taylor. “But guess what, you weigh through the paperwork and you weigh through the bottom line but what makes you a small business person is the desire to win. You are in a race and on top of that you are your own individual.”

Taylor explained that you are your own boss, its harder and not a given.

“Everyone thinks you are rich because you are a business owner. They think you do not have any bills to pay,” explained Taylor. “They forgot PG&E, telephone, computers. When all of a sudden your computer crashes and you cannot figure out why, you wish you owned a computer business, but the idea is I respect you all and I understand it. If I can help you in the City of Brentwood, if I can help you get through the bureaucratic mess our city put you in, sorry staff, get a hold of me because that is my job. We shouldn’t be here to make it difficult but we do—let’s just cut through the chase. The Board of Equalization, I ask that you give out right information and do the right thing and then McNerney, you are in charge of the feds for god sakes, you are in the White House and then the State, use Jim Frazier the whole key is to use them. Remember, a squeaky wheel catches oil. “

The expo featured topics include finding start-up capital, including crowdfunding, loans, and government grants; resources for veterans and minority business owners; navigating the regulatory process including permits and employment law; and finding customers both locally and through international trade.

The list of organizations that were on hand included:

  • U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Covered California
  • State Contractors Licensing Board
  • California State Board of Equalization
  • State of California Employment Development Department (EDD)
  • California Department of General Services (DGS)
  • State of California Franchise Tax Board
  • Cal Trans
  • Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
  • Los Medanos College
  • Liberty Adult School
  • California Department of Industrial Relations
  • City of Brentwood
  • Contra Costa Small Business Development Center
  • Welcome Wagon of East Contra Costa County
  • Contra Costa County Workforce Development Board
  • California Lottery
  • Antioch Chamber of Commerce
  • Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce
  • Oakley Chamber of Commerce

 

You may also like