July 2009

Welcome!

I am happy to share with you news of recent funding for Comm SBA Check Presentation

unity First Fund from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Through SBA Microloan Program Community First provides very small loans to start-up, newly established, or growing small businesses. Under this program, SBA makes funds available to nonprofit community based lenders (intermediaries, like Community First) which, in turn, make loans to eligible borrowers in amounts up to a maximum of $35,000. Microloans make up more than ½ of the number of active loans in Community First Fund’s loan portfolio. Many of these borrowers go on to obtain additional credit at Community First. So join us in honoring the small businesses in our region. Frequent their shops, show your support, buy local.

Sincerely,

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Dan Betancourt, President and CEO

It’s That Time Again: Fall Training

As the summer draws to a close, Community First Fund will be ramping up our training schedule in August. Community First Fund offers one-on-one counseling to business owners as well as numerous classes aimed at educating prospective and current entrepreneurs. Keep an eye out for our fall training programming that will feature Biz 101, Core Four, and procurement courses. For further information, please click here for detailed training calendar and course descriptions. To register for courses please contact Jamie Frey at jfrey@commfirstfund.org or at (717) 393-2351. The first Four Core class begins on August 26, so don’t delay- sign up today!

Client Profile: Old to New Again

Ramiro Velasco is an avid connoisseur and participant in the arts. He is a musician, an artist and now a restaurateur. Ramiro envision

s his restaurant as a comfortable and authentic café with all of the vivacity that Latino culture has to offer. La Cocina Columbian will offer Lancaster, PA, sit down meals surrounded by local and international artists’ sights and musicians’ sounds as well as ethnic foods.

Ramiro has been working on rehabilitating the space for his restaurant for the past several months and is restoring it to its historic charm while enhancing the interior with Latino design elements. In June, he approached Community First Fund about funding for equipment needs. The restaurant is now receiving the final touches before opening in mid-August. Come and enjoy authentic Latino flare at La Cocine Columbian located at 306 North Mulberry Street, Lancaster, PA.

Our Clients Leading the Way in Good Design

Today almost every organization understands the importance of having a website but few seem to understand the importance of optimizing web presence. Many small businesses are still using low grade templates, free graphics and unnecessary sound effects. Though these are not always bad, rarely do they turn into an aesthetically pleasing and easily navigable site. At Community First Fund, we are constantly looking for new and better ways to improve our website. Some are small and subtle while others are total shifts in appearance and approach. So what makes good web design? The easiest way to detail good web design is to detail it in action. Fortunately, Community First has more than a few clients that have successfully achieved clear concise web design.

1. Know your audience. Once you know who your audience is you will be able to cater to them in a clear way. CD Stock’s site knows that its audience is looking for stock photos. Viewers are given three main options on the homepage, one of which is a photo search. The homepage is clean clear and to the point.

2. Easy Navigation. Viewers should be able to easily find destinations or points of interest on a website within two clicks. By limiting options on the homepage, viewers will be able to process the websites information quickly and choose what is the best choice. Hammel Associates Architects, LLC and Forge Advertising bother use a four button approach. Through four initial choices a viewer can navigate the entire website.

3. Offer more than just business. Websites that edge into Web 2.0 offer viewers more than purchasable goods. The Organic Mechanic’s website is a mix between a business site and a blog. Viewers can read up on the latest trends in gardening and shop online. This format allows the company to advertise unbeknownst to the customer.

4. Be something to be seen. Offer viewers a new experience or interaction with the internet. Keep beauty, flare and originality in the mix. The Fun-est Toy Store Ever immediately draws a viewer’s attention in. The site acts as a first glimpse into the toy box that is the store. Chestnut Hill Café initial homepage sets the stage for an artistic and eclectic site. The website gives a viewer the first feel for the Café’s atmosphere.

Good websites do not have to be expensive or flashy, but they do have to be well thought out. Good web design is achievable by any organization at any skill level. The first step, as is always, is to begin.

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