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Published byGriselda Roberts Modified over 9 years ago
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BioFuel Oasis Cooperative: Lessons in Starting a Biodiesel Station By Jennifer Radtke, Co-Founder By Jennifer Radtke, Co-Founder
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Original BioFuel Oasis 4th & Dwight, Berkeley, California Dec 2003 - April 2009 Retail biodiesel (B99.9) at the pump to individual customers in the San Francisco Bay Area
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BioFuel Oasis: Moved May 2009 1930s old gas station site on high traffic corner Accessibility: 4 nozzles, 7am - midnight availability 8K Gallon Aboveground Tank Urban Farm Store 1930s old gas station site on high traffic corner Accessibility: 4 nozzles, 7am - midnight availability 8K Gallon Aboveground Tank Urban Farm Store
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Most Sustainable Station in the Nation! Recycled Biodiesel made within 200 mile radius Powered by Solar Native & Edible Landscaping Waste Veg Oil Collection Beyond Individual Car Use Recycled Biodiesel made within 200 mile radius Powered by Solar Native & Edible Landscaping Waste Veg Oil Collection Beyond Individual Car Use
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Women, Worker-Owned Cooperative All drive cars on biodiesel (B99) Newest members have been here 5 yrs Women, Worker-Owned Cooperative All drive cars on biodiesel (B99) Newest members have been here 5 yrs BioFuel Oasis: Who We Are
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Fuel Market When is most fuel sold? Petro prices go up every spring How Petro prices affect Biodiesel Spring Fuel Shortages
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Customers: Who They Are Typical customer: 30s, drives a VW TDI Businesses: Solar PV installers, Green Builders, Landscapers Affected by price of petroleum diesel
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Biodiesel Education: A Success 10 minute talk to first-time customers Call us before your mechanic Appearance of biodiesel cannot be described over the phone. Communicate: regarding price and blends
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Biodiesel: The Revolution Personal Connection Gives People Power - Changes people’s lives Getting Along
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Location, Location, Location! On major corner in Berkeley 1 mile from Interstate 80 on Freeway exit
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Permitting Charm and educate. Don’t argue. Ask permitting people what they need. Be a nerd. Be Patient (Triple whatever timeframes they give you). Get elected officials and economic development on your side.
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Funding the Original Station $5000SaraHope $5000Jennifer $5000Business Profits $5000$50 Founding Member Donations $20,000TOTAL Length of time: 9 months
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Funding new station $100K City Loan $60K Private Loan $37K Business Sponsors $35K Business Reinvestment $30K $100 Donations $32K Prepaid Fuel $7K Events $301K TOTAL RAISED
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Financial Planning Business plan Monthly Projections & Analysis Don’t run at a deficit. Spend money you’ve already earned
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Make Allies Create an industry, not just a business Create long-term relationships with natural allies. Cooperation not competition
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Chicken, Rabbit and Goat Feed Beekeeping Supplies Urban Homesteading Classes in Winter Chicken, Rabbit and Goat Feed Beekeeping Supplies Urban Homesteading Classes in Winter Diversify income Urban Farm Store
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Working with Biodiesel Change the Fuel Filter Mantra No spill policy Big Spill Preparedness Fuel quality testing - how it looks
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Vision & Set Goals Vision meeting yearly Check in on goals quarterly. Set clear goals with dates and who is responsible.
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