Just Pet Me LLC's Julie Liu and sister Ruby with Biggie

When you think about a pet care service provider the words “country club” don’t usually come to mind. Ruby and Julie Liu hope to change that with the opening of Just Pet Me Country Club – a full service pet destination for   pet daycare, hotel and overnight care, party venues, signature treats, spa care and grooming, obedience training and more.

Just Pet Me, LLC is a start-up company founded by the Liu sisters.  Before starting the business with OBDC Small Business Finance’s assistance, the sisters’ vision was to provide a peaceful paradise of five star comfort, social interaction, and fitness along with an array of amenities that Bay Area pets and owners can enjoy at a reasonable cost. The owners invite everyone to discover the next generation of pet care under experienced guidance of compassionate and friendly staff.

The owners say: “The distinguishing characteristic of our services will be the concept of “cage free” boarding, where animals can experience a social environment. We have created a place that is elegant and refined with all the amenities found in country clubs, by providing a sanctuary of stimulation, enlightenment, comforts, and warmth for your pets.” 
 
Mila Roudominskaia, OBDC Lending Program Manager says: “I was impressed by the innovative business idea that Ruby and Julie proposed in their business plan. The amount of experience and industry research invested in the project makes OBDC proud to have contributed in starting up a business that will offer engaging activities for Bay Area residents and their pets.”

Accommodations for clients can range from two hours to as much as a full month.  The three-storefront business—newly renovated with help from the City of Oakland’s Façade Improvement Program-- is located at 2555 Broadway in Oakland and will have its grand opening on Friday, October 27th. For more infromation please contact justpetme@gmail.com.

Alfred Li and new truck, purchased at Bay Area Kenworth

Alfred Li started his freight trucking business in 1986. Twenty years later, Alfred had grown his business but was still driving an old truck to provide his freight services to and from the Port of Oakland. Recently Alfred was the recipient of an innovative new truck replacement grant started by the Port of Oakland to replace on-road heavy-duty diesel trucks for newer ones that emit less pollutants.

OBDC Small Business Finance implemented a new loan program to complement the Port of Oakland’s Truck Replacement Program which was designed to replace 1990 or older trucks with 1999 or newer model year trucks. The grant program offers truckers up to $25,000, and OBDC will help bridge the gap with loans up to $35,000 to truck drivers who can demonstrate enough income to repay the debt service.

Alfred Li says: “The old truck was always in need of maintenance, when I was approved for my reimbursement I was afraid that I would not be able to come up with the balance to complete the transaction for a more efficient truck but thanks to OBDC, Bay Area Kenworth  and the Port of Oakland I can become a more profitable small business owner.”

OBDC Small Business Finance is proud to have assisted an Oakland resident who now will be able to save financial resources on machinery maintenance and reduce fuel emissions through his new truck. 

For more information about OBDC's Truck Replacement Program please visit http://www.obdc.com/services

OBDC is offering its clients and entrepreneurs in our network a unique opportunity to take advantage of free legal services through one of our partners, Legal Services for Entrepreneurs (LSE).

Legal services are completely confidential and will be provided in a secluded spot in the OBDC office. You will have the chance to meet one-on-one with LSE attorney Beatriz Esparza Dueñas, Call our office to make an appointment for a 20-minute consultation. The attorney will be available the following dates during the month of October:

Thursday, October 12th from 9:00 to 10:30 AM,
Thursday, October 26th from 3:00 to 4:30PM

Created in 1997, Legal Services for Entrepreneurs (LSE) brings together volunteer attorneys from top Bay Area law firms to provide free legal services to low-income individuals who want to start or develop for-profit businesses. LSE also works with certain businesses that benefit economically distressed neighborhoods.

LSE attorneys work with small business owners on a variety of business legal issues, including:
• Incorporation / entity formation
• Trademarks
• Leases
• Business contracts
• Zoning

To schedule a consultation with the LSE attorney at our location on the mentioned dates please call (510) 763-4297 Ext. 111, give the name of your business, attendees, your contact information and the type of business legal issue for which you need a consultation. Space is limited, call today to reserve your spot!.

“How to Start Your Small Business” Thursday, October 12th, 8:15am - 4pm.

The East Bay Senior Core Of Retired Executives (SCORE) will be hosting the all-day class where OBDC Small Business Finance will be participating. If you are interesting in registering to the workshop please call (510) 273-6611

“Accessing Capital to Grow Your Business” Thursday October 19th, 2pm - 5:30pm

This new class is a must for any small business owner interested in securing a bank loan, leasing equipment or refinancing existing debt. You will learn how a wide range of banks and other lending organizations evaluate your loan applications, and the types of funding they can provide. You will have the opportunity to meet and discuss your own financing issues with representatives from banks and other lending organizations, including Citibank, OBDC Small Business Finance, and SBA. Please contact (510) 208-0410 to register or to learn more about the event http://www.eastbaysbdc.org/financing/index.html