ESO Ventures

Last week I had the honor of facilitating the ESO Ventures Reentry panel for this year’s Growth Summit. This was the culmination of 2 years of work where we supported over 100 entrepreneurs over 4 cohorts in starting, maintaining and growing their businesses. I am somebody that caught a felony at 18 years old, struggled to find employment at the level of my skillset until recently and had to depend on entrepreneurship to sustain me… So it is my honor to support folks that society has marginalized and have had it much harder than me within the carceral system and the job market. On this panel of formerly incarcerated folks, people testified to having made over a million in revenue in a year, saving $100k cash to start a new phase of their business, given away over 100 meals a month to local youth and creating a syndicate of formerly incarcerated film makers with over a quarter million of equipment between them!!! This is a small glimpse into the power and potential of the formerly incarcerated community. ESO Ventures had a 2 year contract to carry out this work that officially came to a close last week! I am halfway sad but fully grateful for my experience as a Community Manager and a curriculum Facilitator. I trust that this experience will inform all of my work going forward. Big shoutout to Marion Araque, M.Ed for all of her work as a Director of the program, she really gave us structure and direction. Shoutout to Martha Hernández, SHRM-SCP the co-founder and CEO of ESO Ventures for her vision and high level leadership. Shoutout to Akala for working in the trenches to support these entrepreneurs, shoutout to Alfredo Mathew III another co-founder for his leadership and doing the work of securing the contract. Lastly and most importantly shoutout to my folks still behind those walls who can’t wait for God to bring them home so they can activate their skills and purpose!!!

On December 5th, at Cañada College in Redwood City, ESO hosted its year-end Growth Summit! We came together as a community to celebrate our collective achievements in making entrepreneurship more accessible to all. This culminating event featured an entrepreneur showcase, breakout panels, and a networking and community-building session to close out the day. We are stronger together, and this summit provided a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our ecosystem and put shared prosperity into action. A special thank you to our incredible partners— County of Santa Clara Office of Diversion and Reentry, Workforce Innovation Labs, Bay Area Community College Consortium and State of California —and a huge shoutout to Cañada College for providing the space to host this impactful event!

With the holiday rush in full effect, how might you implement some of the following solutions to further grow your business and increase sales? Are you utilizing technology to help improve marketing and customer communication? Are you ramping up content production to reach a larger audience and build your platform? Are you hiring contractors to assist with brand growth?

Transforming Entrepreneurship by 2025: ESO Ventures is Leading the Way The latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report highlights three transformative trends shaping entrepreneurship by 2025: the rise of young entrepreneurs, closing the tech gender gap, and growing optimism among Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. At ESO Ventures, we’re proud to say we’ve already been investing in these spaces and fostering the next generation of change-makers. 💼 Supporting Young Entrepreneurs: Through our incubators, we empower emerging talent with mentorship, funding, and the tools they need to scale their ventures. 👩💻 Closing the Tech Gender Gap: Our programs provide equitable access to resources for women and underserved entrepreneurs, ensuring they thrive in traditionally male-dominated industries. ✊🏾 Building Optimism Among Black and Hispanic Entrepreneurs: With over 90% of our funding going to Black, Latino, and first-time entrepreneurs, we’re breaking barriers and building pathways to success. This is just the beginning. Together, we’re transforming entrepreneurship into a force for shared prosperity and inclusive growth. Let’s keep building! #Entrepreneurship #FutureOfBusiness #EconomicEmpowerment #ESOVentures #DiversityInBusiness #InclusiveGrowth

On December 5th, at Cañada College in Redwood City, ESO hosted its year-end Growth Summit! We came together as a community to celebrate our collective achievements in making entrepreneurship more accessible to all. This culminating event featured an entrepreneur showcase, breakout panels, and a networking and community-building session to close out the day. We are stronger together, and this summit provided a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our ecosystem and put shared prosperity into action. A special thank you to our incredible partners— County of Santa Clara Office of Diversion and Reentry, Workforce Innovation Labs, Bay Area Community College Consortium and State of California —and a huge shoutout to Cañada College for providing the space to host this impactful event!

✨ Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the ESO Ventures Growth Summit and celebrate the 2024 cohort graduates of the Business Incubator Program! 🎉 This inspiring event featured dynamic guest speakers who shared honest insights about their entrepreneurial journeys—covering everything from navigating startup challenges to overcoming imposter syndrome. 💡 What stood out most was ESO’s unwavering commitment, alongside its partners, to empower Black and Brown entrepreneurs. Their initiatives include offering 0% to low-interest business loans, creating tangible pathways to success for underserved communities. 🙌 If entrepreneurship has been on your mind, this is your chance to take the leap! The next Business Pre-Incubator Program kicks off on January 20th. Use the QR code below to sign up and start building your future. 🚀 #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Education #InclusiveOpportunities #BlackAndBrownExcellence Diane Wu Chang, M.S. Mrs. Fereshteh Mofidi Mofidi

In partnership with BACCC, ESO Ventures’ Create Business Incubator is here to help you grow your early stage business into a scalable, revenue generating enterprise. This FREE, 8-week incubator is specifically designed for entrepreneurs who are just starting out and have generated $0 - $10,000 in revenue. Through our collaboration with local community colleges, we are bringing access to entrepreneurial support systems directly to you. Apply here: https://hubs.ly/Q02ZBtbF0

This Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, let's focus on strengthening our local communities by supporting small businesses. Every purchase from a small business helps fuel dreams, create jobs, and build economic growth in our neighborhoods. For small business owners, this is the time to maximize sales and showcase the unique value you bring to the marketplace. Here are a few tips to capitalize on the day: ✅ Offer exclusive deals: Bundles, discounts, or limited-time offers can drive higher sales. ✅ Promote your business: Use social media, email campaigns, and ads to reach your customers. ✅ Deliver exceptional service: Make the shopping experience seamless and memorable to keep customers coming back. At ESO Ventures, we’re proud to support the entrepreneurs who power our communities. Let’s make this Black Friday one for the books! #BlackFriday #SmallBusinessSupport #LocalEconomy #Entrepreneurship #ShopSmall #ESOVentures #BayArea

Calling All Entrepreneurs in Antioch! Are you ready to take your business to the next level? ESO Ventures is now recruiting for the Antioch Operate Incubator—a program designed to empower local entrepreneurs to grow, thrive, and create lasting impact in their communities. Whether you’re growing your startup venture or scaling an established business, this incubator offers: ✅ Hands-on mentorship from industry experts ✅ Access to funding opportunities ✅ Tailored workshops on marketing, finance, and operations ✅ A supportive network of like-minded entrepreneurs Antioch entrepreneurs, this is your moment! Let’s build businesses that strengthen our neighborhoods and foster shared prosperity. 📅 Apply now to join the Antioch Operate Incubator and take your business further. ➡️ Learn more and apply here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Y_wxW0 #AntiochBusiness #Entrepreneurship #OperateIncubator #SmallBusinessGrowth #ESOVentures #CommunityImpact

Shared Prosperity: Building Stronger Communities Together At ESO Ventures, we believe that thriving businesses create thriving communities. Shared prosperity means ensuring that everyone—especially entrepreneurs from historically underserved communities—has access to the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to succeed. What does shared prosperity look like? - Entrepreneurs creating jobs and wealth in their own neighborhoods. - Local businesses contributing to economic growth and community well-being. - Building a legacy of inclusion and equity for future generations. When we invest in Black, Brown, and local entrepreneurs, we’re investing in a future where prosperity isn’t just for a few, but for everyone. Join us in our mission to build businesses and transform communities. Together, we can create lasting impact and a better future for all. #SharedProsperity #Entrepreneurship #EconomicEmpowerment #CommunityImpact #SmallBusiness #ESOVentures