Main Street Launch

Our mission is to create economic opportunity by empowering entrepreneurs. Through innovative partnerships we provide business owners with capital, education, and relationships that allow them to flourish. Our collaborative approach helps our borrowers create jobs and stimulates economic development in low-to-moderate income communities.

McMullen, owned by Sherri McMullen and supported by her three employees, is a boutique that offers designer and high-end clothing to women in the Oakland area. “When I moved to Oakland, I saw a need for high fashion here. My goal was to create a business so women didn’t have to travel to find great fashion. They could shop in their own community,” remembers Sherri. She wrote her business plan while she was working a full-time job and was able to launch McMullen in 2007.

In 2016, Sherri came to Main Street Launch for a loan to help her grow her inventory supply. “Because of the loan I was able to bring products in from a Nigerian designer, and we did a U.S. launch to support her. Working with Robert [Lattimore, Senior Vice President] was a great experience. He has so much knowledge and expertise that I know I can ask him any question about my business and get great advice,” says Sherri.

In 2004, Chef Ron’s Pastries started like many businesses: doing small orders here and there for family and friends. In 2015 brother and sister Ron a Rhonda Persons officially launched Chef Ron’s Pastries when an opportunity to work with the Golden State Warriors came to them. Since then, the business has been steadily growing, all while both Ron and Rhonda continue to work their full-time jobs.

Ron and Rhonda’s lawyer first told them about Main Street Launch’s Entrepreneurs in Residence program. “We wanted to grow our business beyond catering and events, but we needed guidance. We have the skills to do it, but not the knowledge,” says Rhonda. They met Robert Lattimore, Senior Vice President and director of the Entrepreneurs in Residence program, and a year later joined the program. “The Entrepreneurs in Residence program really set the foundation for what we’re doing with our business now,” says Ron. Rhonda adds, “It feels like we got a master’s degree in our business through this program.” Chef Ron’s Pastries is getting ready to fully launch into their first brick and mortar.

“The resources this program offers seem unlimited. Everyone is able to help, and Main Street staff have their doors open all the way to the top of the organization. This new support system we’ve developed feels like family,” says Ron.