Roundtable from AEO's 2007 Annual Conference: Predictions for the Movement

On the last day of AEO's 2007 Annual Conference, an innovative roundtable was held, titled Predictions for the Movement. Mark Pinsky of Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), Robert Egger of DC Central Kitchen, Kevin Kelly of AEO, and various audience members joined the discussion, moderated by AEO's CEO and President, Amy McKenna Luz. The discussion included assessments of the political environment for the microenterprise development industry specifically, and the nonprofit sector in general, along with ideas on how the field can expand its reach and gain increased visibility.

To learn more about Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), go to http://www.opportunityfinance.net/

To learn more about DC Central Kitchen, go to http://www.dccentralkitchen.org/

To listen to this podcast, click here.

Robert Egger of DC Central Kitchen speaks at the AEO 2007 Annual Conference

Robert Egger, Founder and President of DC Central Kitchen, speaking at the AEO 2007 Annual Conference, introduced by AEO's CEO, Amy McKenna Luz. Mr. Egger discusses some of the components of microenterprise in the US, along with the challenges faced by the nonprofit sector on a whole.

To learn more about DC Central Kitchen, go to http://www.dccentralkitchen.org/

To listen to this podcast, click here.

AEO gives Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Best Product or Service-based Business Innovation!

Treats for Troops is a web-based business founded in early 2003 by Denver business woman Deborah Crane, whose mission is to provide a safe, easy way to support America’s soldiers all over the world. Since the business was launched, more than 20 tons of treats have been shipped to soldiers all over the world and last year the business grossed $1.4 million. This million dollar business was launched with the help of AEO member, Micro Business Development (MBD) in Denver, which provided Deborah with a loan after she was turned down by banks.

To learn more about Deborah and the AEO Entrepreneur of the Year awards, go to http://www.microenterpriseworks.org/index.asp?bid=2169

To listen to the podcast interview with Deborah, click here.

AEO gives Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Best Community Business!

At the 2007 AEO Annual Conference, Saul and Carmen Manriquez, owners of Carniceria La Especial in Albuquerque, NM, were given the AEO Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Best Community Business. Using $200 of their savings, the couple started Carniceria La Especial as a small business selling specialty Mexican goods at a flea market in 1996. Since receiving five microloans from AEO member, ACCION New Mexico, the Manriquez’ business has grown into a grocery and meat market and is an important fixture in Albuquerque’s Mexican and Mexican-American communities. The couple came to the United States from Mexico in 1996 looking for a better life for their two daughters. The interviewer is Welthy Soni-Myers of AEO, and the comments and questions are translated by Marisa Barrera of ACCION New Mexico, a member of AEO’s board of directors.

To learn more about Saul and Carmen's story and the AEO Entrepreneur of the Year awards, go to http://www.microenterpriseworks.org/index.asp?bid=2169

To listen to the podcast interview with Saul and Carmen, click here.

Innovator of the Year Award given for health care initiative!!

Since 2002, AEO has honored leading innovators in the microenterprise development field with its Innovator Awards. This year, AEO recognized its Denver, CO member, Micro Business Development (MBD) for initiating a program that provides their clients access to affordable health care. With lack of health insurance identified as a major challenge for many Denver-based entrepreneurs, MBD partnered with Kaiser Permeanente to provide state-standard coverage to low-income MBD clients. Here, Caitlin Hedberg of MBD talks about her innovation, and how the openness of MBD leadership to new ideas allowed her to share the concept and move forward with it. MBD Executive Director Kersten Hostetter shares some of her thoughts as well. They are interviewed by Mike Skinner of AEO.

To learn more about MBD's efforts and the AEO Innovator of the Year award, go to http://www.microenterpriseworks.org/index.asp?bid=2169

To listen to the podcast interview with Caitlin, click here.

What Microenterprise Means to 17 AEO Conference Attendees

At the recent AEO Conference, 17 attendees from across the United States summed up what microenterprise meant to them. Hear from a diverse group of practitioners about why they feel microenterprise is important for both poverty alleviation and economic development.

To learn more about the AEO Conference, go to http://www.microenterpriseworks.org/2007conference.

To listen to the podcast, click here.

A Conversation with Bob Friedman on the History of AEO and Microenterprise in the U.S.

A conversation with Bob Friedman, founding chair of AEO, CFED Board Chair and Secretary of the Friedman Family Foundation. Bob discusses the start and overall history of AEO specifically, and U.S. microenterprise in general. He also discusses some of the integral aspects of the microenterprise movement, including thoughts on Dr. Muhammad Yunus' description of the talent, vision and energy of the poor.

To learn more about CFED, go to http://www.cfed.org/
To learn more about the Friedman Family Foundation, go to http://www.friedmanfamilyfoundation.org/

To listen to this podcast, click here.