OCED & Partners Deliver Inaugural Mobile Vendor Summit

 

 

 

On Dec 10, 2018 OCED, via its Fresno State Small Business University program, co-sponsored in partnership with Cultiva La Salud and Clovis Community College SBDC, the first annual Mobile Vendor Summit.  The mobile vendor summit hosted sixty-two (62) existing and new small business entrepreneurs at Fresno’s UC Education Center.  Many entrepreneurs from throughout Fresno County came together to learn how to start and expand their mobile business.  The Mobile Vendor Summit gave participants an opportunity to hear success stories, challenges and experiences in starting and managing a mobile business.  Additionally, participants learned about; county and city regulations, social media marketing, point of sale Square system, forming cooperatives, funding opportunities for energy efficient equipment upgrades, local lending programs and available small business technical assistance provided by the local SBDC.  Two local mobile businesses (La Jacka Mobile and Tacos Super Pollo) shared their experiences and provided pointers for those in attendance to consider when starting a mobile food business.  Fresno County Health Department provided information on what regulations currently exist in Fresno County and dos and don’ts in the mobile food catering business.

“The first annual Mobile Vendor Summit was a success and many entrepreneurs have express interest in opening a mobile food business in Fresno County at the start of 2019”, said Eduardo Gonzalez, Director of the Fresno State San Joaquin Valley Rural Development Center and Fresno State Small Business University.  This year Governor Jerry Brown signed a new law for California mobile street vendors.  Brown signed Senate Bill 946, a statewide legislation that regulates mobile street vending practices. Also known as the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, SB 946 requires cities and counties to maintain certain rules for mobile street vendors. SB 946 goes into effect in 2019. "SB 946 is a opportunity for many local entrepreneurs to start or expand their mobile vending businesses in urban and rural areas in the San Joaquin Valley" added Gonzalez.  For additional information or technical assistance in starting or expanding a mobile street vending business please contact OCED at 559-278-0542.