
This guide explains the main business financing options available to solo contractors and small business owners in Alameda County, California. It highlights local lenders, CDFIs, credit unions, and community programs — not just federal programs — that are actually accessible to people working in this region. Whether you have an SSN or an ITIN, there are real local resources here for you. Take your time, compare your options, and never feel pressured to sign anything you don't fully understand.
Ask Iris. She'll explain it the way it should have been explained the first time.