from Small Business California

As expected the Senate has just passed the small business jobs bill we have been fighting so hard for. It now goes back to the House and we expect that the House will concur with the Senate amended language. See story below.

This is critical because session closes the end of the month and there is not time for the House to change the language

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/bottomline/detail?entry_id=72467

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The Division of Workers Compensation has asked that I let you know about a campaign to provide small businesses money to bring injured workers back to work.

Please see information below.

Small Business California is supporting SB356 by Senator Rod Wright to allow small businesses the ability to give more input on regulations before they become law. You have told us in our survey that the cost of complying with regulations is one of the top issues for small business in the state. A study will be coming out shortly that will show that small businesses  in California pay significantly more than larger companies to comply with these regulations.

For more information on SB 356 go to www.leginfo.ca.gov

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How did you get into business?

I purchased Just For You Cafe nineteen years ago with a business partner, Julie Campbell. I eventually bought out her portion of the business. The restaurant was then located on eighteenth street on Potrero Hill. We kept the original menu but expanded on it. It was a tiny place, what people in New Orleans call a “shotgun” (because of the length and width ratio). During the dot com era we were basically pushed out because of high rent. In 2002 I was able to move the location to where it is now, on 22nd St. We serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with an emphasis on Southern and American style cooking. Some of our specialties include; New Orleans style doughnuts called Beignets, New Mexico (Hatch) green chili huevos rancheros, grits, creole crab cakes and awesome Reuben sandwiches. We have an extensive menu with daily pasta and fresh fish specials. We try to use as much organic produce and locally made meat products as cost allows and our eggs are produced locally in Petaluma. All of our food is prepared in house from scratch, with the exception of chili con carne, Acme rye bread and Royal bakery French rolls.

Why did you want to get into business for yourself?

I went into business for myself because I think that I am an entrepreneur to the core. I like risk taking, I get bored easily, and in this type of business there is never a dull moment. The responsibility is intense, but I like calling the shots.

What is your biggest challenge?

I think the biggest challenge of all business owners is managing people. Since I am not a natural leader this has been my most difficult challenge.

What is the greatest reward?

All of the amazing people that I have met over the years and continue to meet everyday in the restaurant. And providing employment to many people who might have had to settle for menial jobs with lesser pay.

Do you belong to business organizations?

I have participated in the Renaissance Center and belong the National Restaurant Assoc., Potrero Hill Merchants Assoc., National Association of Women Business Owners of which I am the Public Policy Chair, Small Business California and Public Policy Institute of California.

Do your employees have a nickname for you?

To my face, they call me Mommie!

What challenges do you face doing business in SF?

The challenges of doing business in S.F. are almost insurmountable and too numerous to list. I think most small businesses in San Francisco are really struggling with the frequency and costs of laws and regulations.  San Francisco is one the most expensive cities, in the country in which to do business. I often wonder how long I can continue here. Many other business owners that I speak to say the same thing. San Francisco doesn’t want franchises, yet it does nothing to promote or help small businesses to thrive.

Do you have a role model?

My most important role model was my father. I learned my values, ethics and perseverance from him.

What piece of advice would you offer a newby restaurateur?

Find a mentor and learn everything you can about food and how a professional kitchen works. Focus on the Food. This is your product and it’s one the basic necessities of life. People bring a lot of emotion in with them when they eat, actually expectation, and your number one goal is to try to match or exceed those expectations.

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Mr. Hauge has been a leading advocate in paving the way for small and medium sized businesses. He has introduced government legislation that has affected business on local, state and national levels. He is considered one of the insurance industry’s leaders in setting guidelines and has received numerous awards and countless commendations for his efforts. Most recently Mr. Hauge was named Small Business Advocate of the Year 2007 by the National Small Business Association (NSBA).

Why did you get involved in Business Advocacy? I got involved for three reasons. First I have always been interested in public policy. I am a product of the 60s and the student protest at that time.

I got involved in small business advocacy because it fit my public policy interest and gave me the vehicle to get out of the office forcing my staff to make decisions on their own. This also benefited my business because I wanted to differentiate CAL from other insurance agencies. We can honestly say we represent small business not only on insurance related issues but in local, state and federal government small business concerns.

What has been your greatest success? This may be a disconnect but being involved in Volunteers in Medicine. I am the Vice Chair of the Volunteers in Medicine Institute. We help communities set up free clinics for the working uninsured We take retired health professional who provide free health services to the working uninsured. We take no government money. We currently have 71 clinics in 22 states are working on a clinic in SF and I am Vice Chair of Volunteers in Medicine SF.

If you want political the defeat of Proposition K in SF. This was a gross receipts tax on top of all the other taxes imposed on SF businesses. Our position was opposed by the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors, nonprofits, labor and big business. It really showed the potential power of small business.

What has been your biggest challenge? Getting small business people to not feel like victims. We have incredible power if small business people will get involved in the political process and contribute financially to organizations that promote the small business agenda.

Do you have a role model? Not currently. When I got involved in small business advocacy in 1984 I had two people that gave me advise. I listened to them and it helped me be successful in my advocacy. I think that small business people that are not active need to reach out to leaders in the community who they respect and follow their advise.

Have you ever run for office? No and I never will. My wife would divorce me if I did.

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing small and local businesses? There are a whole host of things. Health insurance cost, regulations, access to capital, workers compensation cost, taxation, etc. These are issues but the biggest challenge is to get government people to listen to our concerns. We are ignored.

Tell us about Small Business California. I founded SB Cal because I did not think grass roots small business people had a voice in Sacramento. There are organizations that say they represent small business but they in my opinion do not. For example the California Chamber is a great organization but at the end of the day they represent big business. The National Federation of Independent Business also is a great organization but they are to identified with the Republican party.

What will SBC focus on in 2009? We are currently doing our survey to determine our agenda. In 2008 it was health issuance cost, education and workforce development, infrastructure, regulation, energy, taxation and workers compensation cost.

When do you sleep? I do sleep about 5 hours but I am always thinking about small business. A few years ago I spoke at a California National Association of Woman Business Owners Association Conference. It was in Sacramento and honestly it was exhausting. I drove home to San Rafael and fell asleep watching TV. I woke up the next morning and my wife told me when she tried to bring me to bed that I told her I couldn’t come to bed unless all the small business people came also. She told me she said that was not possible but I persisted. She said that she finally agreed and I went to bed.. I think I may be a little over the top.

What should small and local businesses ask of their legislators? The question here is not so much what they should ask but that they should talk to their legislators. We have massive numbers and very few small business people ever correspond with their representatives. If small business people would spend just a few minutes a month sending emails, calling and writing their government people about their concerns we could really impact policy.

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