The second Mayor’s Business Roundtable was held on Thursday, May 28, 2015. The Courtyard Richmond/Berkeley hosted the event. The three speakers were NanoPower, Riggers Loft and D&D Designs and Screen Printing.

NanoPower

Rashaad El, founded and operates NanoPower, a company that provides full services for maintaining photovoltaic solar installations, including cleaning, troubleshooting, monitoring and, if necessary, repair.

Rashaad has found the City of Richmond very supportive and specifically cited Economic Development Director Janet Johnson for offering to help identify sources of financial assistance.

R&B Cellars

Kevin Brown, and his wife Barbara, have recently leased the Riggers Loft and are building out a winery for R & B Cellars, which already serves 26 U.S. markets and eight countries, including China. Kevin and Barbara live in Alameda and spent about a year looking for an expansion location in Alameda, but could not find one. There were blown over by the Riggers Loft and its waterside location. The biggest concern was the commute, but several days of testing found it to be a 25-minute drive, at worst.

Kevin noted that working with building departments in general is challenging to businesses, but that he has never dealt with a more helpful and accommodating city than Richmond. Instead of looking for  problems, Richmond’s attitude was, “How can we get this done?”

Kevin had no advice for improving services except “continue what you are doing.” He said R&B Cellars will open at the end of July and will begin hosting events.

D&D Design

Devin Lars started as an airbrush artist for, among other things, memorial t-shirts for young people killed by gun violence in Richmond. Finding that sort of a downer, he moved on to silk screen printing and then to his own clothing line. His success at a young age led to him becoming a nationally known motivational speaker listed in the United Nations 2014 Top Entrepreneurial Under Thirty honoree. He is the CEO and co-founder of Doing Everyting different, the logo-based clothing division of his company, which has been favored by celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Trey Songz, 50 Cent and Terrence J. The brand division of his company, D&D Designs and Screen Printing, LLC, services world class corporate clients such as Google, the NFL, McDonald’s, Tesla Motors, iHearMedia and the hit TV show “Criminal Minds.”

Although his production facility is in Fremont, Devin still lists Richmond as his hometown.

Following the roundtable, guests were asked to complete a short feedback survey. The survey asked guests if this was their first Business Roundtable, what they enjoyed about the event, how the event can be improved, and how Richmond can enhance its business climate.

Seventeen guests completed feedback forms. Fifteen of these guests were first-time attendees, and two were second-time attendees. Guests really enjoyed the presentations from all three presenters. Guests also found value in the diversity of the panelists (industries, years in business, age, etc.) and the mix of attendees in the room. In terms of improving the Business Roundtable, guests would like to have more time for networking and conversations with each other, and more seats for attendees.

Several guests commented that Richmond could enhance its business climate by establishing a mentorship program so new businesses owners (or individuals contemplating opening a business in Richmond) could receive coaching and advice from current successful business owners. Other popular ideas included streamlining the permitting process and offering online permitting.

What did you enjoy about the Business Roundtable?

• Nice to hear stories, successes and challenges.
• The young man with D&D Designs; his story is inspiring and gives hope to anyone in business.
• Diverse businesses
• Inspirational studies
• Good sense of comradery among attendees
• Presentations were excellent, brief and to the point.
• The mix of businesses that presented.
• Learning about new/existing Richmond business
• Meeting people and hearing the presentations, mostly hearing stories
• Flow was really fast paced and kept my attention
• Learned about the importance of maintenance of solar panels to realize your savings.
• Devin Lars’ story should be used to market Richmond’s entrepreneurial spirit.
• Speakers and conversations with other attendees
• Great speakers and great networking
• Learning about new business either coming to Richmond or those that are fulfilling a need like the solar business
• Presentations from business owners
• I enjoy the Mayor’s receptiveness to engage business owners
• Learning about new/existing businesses
• Staying on time
• Interesting speakers
• Learning about the variety of businesses and business climates in Richmond

How can we improve the Business Roundtable?

• Keep diversity on panel (e.g. number of years in business, industries, etc.).
• Areas city can improve.
• Have them discuss their community outreach programs.
• Spur activity/discussion among attendees
• Facilitate discussion with current business owners to share their success and to help with the marketing campaign.
• Possibly co-host an event with El Cerrito; interested in San Pablo Ave development, branding, etc. in parallel and where possible.
• Pretty good as is.
• Like the focus on new businesses
• More presenters
• Emphasizing networking aspect
• More spots for speakers and visitors
• Excellent; no improvement needed so far
• Possibly larger crowd

Do you have any recommendations for enhancing Richmond’s business climate?

• Local procurement opportunities; other companies that were successful with local city, West County procurement.
• Expedite license processes
• Upgrade internet access/broadband
• Monthly roundtables
• Rebranding the city culture
• Purpose, goals and objectives or mission statement written out
• Networking with measured outcomes
• One stop shop for new businesses
• Moving in the right direction, keep having open discussions, maybe have Q&As on website where other businesses can ask questions so everyone can see the answers
• Wrap around services to facilitate permitting.
• Outreach to Latino small businesses; what are their business needs
• Street pavement
• AT&T and Comcast services in southside 580
• Business Advocacy office where a mentor shepherds requests through City
• Hope to see Brand Consultant at a Roundtable meeting
• The branding and marketing campaign for Richmond is a good start
• Keep focusing on the positive; you’re doing a great job.
• No underdog mentality; keep promoting strengths
• More incentives for businesses
• Streamlining process
• Implement online permitting

For information about the next Business Roundtable, contact:

David Gray
Director of Projects & Programs
Office of Richmond Mayor Tom Butt
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA  94803
Email: david_gray@ci.richmond.ca.us
Main: 510-620-6503
Direct: 510-620-6527
Fax: 510-412-2070
www.RichmondCaMayor.org