Welcome Letters from Hosts
San Francisco Small Business Week (SF SBW) is a partnership that honors and supports San Francisco’s small businesses through a series of educational and networking events that inspire, educate and connect the business community. SF SBW is part of a national celebration of the contribution of small businesses and entrepreneurs. San Francisco takes great pride in being the home to over 85,000 small and new startup businesses.
The seventh annual SF SBW, is presented by Wells Fargo, produced in partnership with the Small Business Administration, The San Francisco Mayor’s Office, Small Business Commission, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, SFentrprenuer and the Golden Gate Business Association.
Greetings from Mayor Edwin Lee
Greetings from SBA District Director J. Mark Quinn
Greetings from Wells Fargo Regional President Michael Billeci
On behalf of the City and County of San Francisco, it is with great pleasure that I invite you to join the San Francisco Small Business Commission, U.S. Small Business Administration, Wells Fargo Bank, all of our sponsors, and me, to kick off the celebrations and events of National Small Business Week, May 16-21, 2011, here in San Francisco. This year, we are coming together and “Partnering for Prosperity” as we inspire, honor, educate, and connect small businesses, which make up 98% of all businesses in the City.
San Francisco takes great pride in being home to a vibrant community of small and new startup businesses – the dreamers and doers who add richness to our City. Despite facing economic challenges, San Francisco, with its metropolitan setting and world-class culture, continues to be an ideal location for startup business ventures because of our ability to recognize the small business sector as the backbone of our City’s economic landscape.
Supporting and investing in San Francisco small businesses is good for both our economy and our citizens. After its launch in 2008, the Small Business Assistance Center in City Hall has become the go-to place for all small business-related matters for both existing and new businesses. Our efforts are intended to help our much valued small business owners and to make San Francisco the ideal place for small businesses to thrive!
Join me in celebrating small businesses for their contributions to our city’s economic vitality during Small Business Week 2011.
With warmest regards,
Edwin M. Lee
Mayor
Small Business Week is a time to celebrate the many achievements of small business owners, entrepreneurs and advocates who contribute to the vitality and prosperity of the nation and create new job opportunities for our citizens. This is our seventh year partnering with the City of San Francisco and our co-sponsors to present a week-long program of achievement, recognition, education and seminars for the small business community.
SBA’s San Francisco District Office is recognizing the following outstanding small business owners and advocates this year for their economic growth, job creation and community involvement:
These people have all faced mighty challenges in their respective roles with the small business community and have proved their resiliency as they work to drive the nation out of recession through economic growth and job creation. At SBA, we’re proud to stand behind them and we’ll continue to work with others who may have a need to take advantage of our many programs, including small business financing, government contracting, counseling and training, and disaster recovery assistance.
Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, representing 99.7 percent of all employer firms. That’s why during that special week in May, we pay tribute and recognize the determination and ingenuity of American entrepreneurs who play such a vital role in building a prosperous future for our country.
J. Mark Quinn
District Director
U.S. Small Business Administration
San Francisco
Dear San Francisco Small Business Owners;
It’s truly an honor to recognize the contributions of small businesses to our local economy. The spirit and personality of San Francisco is driven, in large part, by the creativity and innovation of our local entrepreneurs. A strong relationship between the city and the business community benefits all of us. In support of that relationship, Wells Fargo is proud to sponsor once again San Francisco Small Business Week and its uniting theme, “Partnering for prosperity.”
Small Business Week is an excellent resource for both business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. It’s not easy to start or maintain a successful business and we understand your challenges. Our bankers live and work in this community. We have a vested interest in the success of this economy and above all, we want our customers to have every opportunity to succeed financially.
Wells Fargo was founded as a small business in 1852, here on Montgomery Street in San Francisco. Since then, our core values have remained the same. We are committed to building long-term relationships and to get to know, and understand, you and your business. We continue to invest in our relationships with our customers because we want them to last a lifetime. Our local and experienced bankers are eager to help you achieve prosperity for your business. We’ll work with you to customize the right package of products and services to suit the specific financial needs of your business. As your business grows, we want to be there with you to celebrate your success.
A strong community starts with a strong economy, and we’re proud to sponsor this event for all San Franciscans.
Sincerely,
Michael Billeci
President, San Francisco Bay Region
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
