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Pacific Community Ventures

Cause Area

  • Arts & Culture
  • Community
  • Disaster Relief
  • Education & Literacy
  • Employment

Location

1700 BroadwaySuite 300Oakland, CA 94612 United States

Organization Information

Mission Statement

Pacific Community Ventures is a non-profit community investor supporting underserved entrepreneurs and small businesses’ financial health, quality job creation and climate resilience. Through Restorative Capital, Pro Bono Business Advising, and our Good Jobs Innovation Lab we provide entrepreneurs and their workers with the financial and strategic resources they need to grow, hire, and prosper.

Description

Pacific Community Ventures invests in people. We leverage technology and volunteerism to provide small business owners with high-quality mentoring, at no cost.

Our award-winning BusinessAdvising.org small business advising and mentoring platform matches business owners who are beyond the startup phase with pro bono business coaches and mentors who provide tailored, hands-on advising. All advice is completely free and completely confidential. Companies working with our mentors increase their annual revenue by 20% on average. Our platform also removes location as a barrier, so wherever you are in America, we’ll find the best advisor to help your company grow.

Reviews

Would you recommend Pacific Community Ventures?
11 reviews Write a review
by Shannon E. (May 6, 2019)
It’s been very interesting to advise such different organizations. I’ve met with a candle maker, a founder of a magazine focused on cuisine, and a former engineer turned CEO of a manufacturing company. I’ve learned a great deal about these different industries. It’s been fun to brainstorm and be their sounding board and to teach them how to better run their businesses. I’m inspired by how the intrinsic motivation and fire in these entrepreneurs’ bellies drive their success.
by Dale K. from Mechanicville, NY (May 6, 2019)
I've had 2 successful matches with mentees through Pacific Community Ventures and continue with them currently. One mentee is in Minnesota and the other is in Chicago. We speak by phone and both business owners seem motivated and very appreciative of our conversations. It is rewarding to offer them assistance and the follow-up with Pacific Community Ventures has been excellent. I would highly recommend this organization if you're seeking to volunteer your time.
by Lester Lyle R. (July 2, 2018)
I have been a volunteer business advisor for a Pacific Community Ventures since January 2018. It has been very rewarding sharing successes and challenges in our weekly calls. My client just shared with me that he has surpassed his 2017 sales in the first 6 months of 2018. I am very happy to be a small part of his success !
by David E. (July 1, 2018)
Within 30 days of signing up as a volunteer, I was able to begin helping another small business. Thankful for the opportunity to help!
by Rorie R. (June 22, 2018)
As a business advisor and mentor, helping small business owners successfully achieve their goals and dreams is extremely rewarding. Being able to share my years of experience while also learning from those I’m mentoring is a win-win for everyone.
by Dan A. (November 28, 2017)
The work that Pacific Community Ventures and BusinessAdvising.org are doing is really needed in communities. Small businesses have a hard time competing with big chains and corporations, and the fact that I can donate a few hours a month to help create good jobs with living wages is great. I get to help people in underserved areas create opportunities, and to empower the local businesses that are the real character of our communities.
by Greg F. (October 23, 2016)
Pacific Community Ventures and Businessadvising.org offer an unparalleled opportunity both for volunteers and for small business owner clients. Volunteering as an advisor is a unique opportunity that directly helps our communities by supporting small business and actually creating jobs. I've personally been involved in supporting an Oakland business that has doubled their revenue and has hired two people! I also enjoy getting to roll my sleeves up and learn about new businesses, I've worked with a jeweler, a coffee roaster, and a janitorial service. Each has had its own unique challenges that have helped me grow as a business owner and entrepreneur.
by Rob C. (October 20, 2016)
I was a small business owner and know the challenges of running all aspects of a small business. As a business owner, it's an impossible challenge to excel at what you do best while at the same time trying to be an "expert" in HR, finance, marketing, etc. As someone who has built a body of experience/knowledge, it's so rewarding to be able to give back to a small business owner. Helping a business owner overcome an issue or solve an issue has been so rewarding for me. My advice not only helps the business but I can see it helping the owner. They know they have a resource available and I can see them begin to lose a sense of isolation. Business Advising isn't a big commitment but I think it's a huge help for small businesses.
by Joe C. (October 20, 2016)
I have enjoyed volunteering with Pacific Community Ventures and really like the people whom I have consulted. As a small business owner who has grown a business over time, it is enjoyable for me to help people in a similar situation. Not only can I give them tips and another point of view on their challenges, but they keep me on my toes too. One of the main challenges of running a small business is not having others around to discuss goals, strategies and other events and I can relate to that situation. A great benefit is to see their business grow as we work together.

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