Small Businesses Told To Think Big

Business owners were encouraged to envision customers beyond the San Leandro Marina and East 14th Street at a forum that featured officials from the White House.

The Small Business Global Access forum, sponsored in part by the Export-Import Bank, was held Friday at the Senior Community Center.

About 100 business owners received information on how the Export-Import Bank and U.S. Commerce Department can help them to find overseas markets, secure loans, check international customers' credit and plan a business trip.

The forum was part of a small number of meetings across the country organized by White House officials to achieve President Obama's goal of doubling U.S. exports in the next five years.

"We are bringing the president's message from the State of Union to a grassroots level," said Diane Farrell, director of the Export-Import Bank. "We think communities like San Leandro are a perfect opportunity to increase exports."

Farrell noted San Leandro's proximity to the Port of Oakland as well as its mix of manufacturing and high-tech industries.

Her words were echoed by Ro Khanna, a deputy assistant secretary at the federal Commerce Department.

Khanna said 95 percent of a company's potential market is overseas. Exports can help a business' profit margin as well as reduce the country's trade deficit and bring high-paying jobs to a community, he added.

At the forum local small business owners also participated in panel discussions on how federal agencies can help them as well as heard success stories from small business owners.

One of them was Hans Peter Michelet, chairman of San Leandro-based Energy Recovery Inc.

Michelet, whose firm specializes in providing clean water to communities, said 90 percent of his company's business comes from overseas markets such as Algeria, China, India and Australia.

He said one of the chief services federal agencies provide him is the ability to check on the credit status of international customers.

Cynthia Battenberg, San Leandro's business development manager, said Friday's forum was invaluable for business owners.

"Exports help bring in jobs. It helps a company's sales. It helps a company's bottom line," she said.