Anyone who's done a start-up knows it isn't easy. 

Whether you're building the next Facebook, starting a retail store or launching an arts services hub, it's lots of hard, steady work. For Brad Flewellen and Danielle White, ZON26 is that start-up and that dream. 

On the web, ZON26 is a professional online network for musicians based in the Bay Area. Home to an eclectic mix of emerging independent artists, it's a place where users can view artists’ interviews and live performance footage, see upcoming performance announcements around the Bay and purchase music online.

ZON26 also is an event company - putting together a monthly event titled “Evening Soul," featuring live performances by the website’s musicians, currently held every second Friday at The Washington Inn in Downtown Oakland. This month it's comic Wight Out, plus Al Dozen, Lady Soul and The Dime.

Happy hour is at 7 p.m., show is at 9 p.m. and tickets are just $10.

We're delighted to have them as a friend and advertiser this month and hope that everyone who supports local community and business, will check out what they have to offer.

About Susan Mernit

Susan Mernit is the founder of Oakland Local. She is also a circuit rider for The Community Information Challenge, a program of The John S and James L Knight Foundation, and a consultant to non-profit and community organizations. Susan lives in North Oakland, near the Santa Fe school, with her partner Andy, her housemate, a big old dog named Winston, and a yard full of ants. She is an aspiring gardener, a long-time blogger & entrepreneur, and a recovering journalist.