BLACK IN THE VALLEY BUSINESS MIXER A SUCCESS!

While a winter storm fell outside, a crowd filled the Mardi Gras Tuesday restaurant in Sherman Oaks last Thursday for a Black Business Mixer hosted by Los Angeles City Council Districts 4, 2 and 12. 

CD4 organized the event in honor of Black History Month in partnership with Black in the Valley, a local business and cultural group in the San Fernando Valley. The mixer offered an opportunity for local businesses to learn about the City’s resources for black-owned and minority-owned businesses. More than 130 small businesses registered for the event.

“We are here to help you!” said Councilmember Nithya Raman (CD4). In his welcome remarks, Council President Paul Krekorian added, “I want to thank you for believing in LA. Everyone who opens a business here is making a bet on the future.” 

EWDD General Manager Carolyn Hull was part of a panel that addressed questions about how small businesses can receive support from the City to aid their financial recovery from COVID-19. Carolyn highlighted how EWDD’s BusinessSource Centers offer multiple resources to help businesses thrive, including access to capital. She also discussed how EWDD’s WorkSource Centers can assist in helping employers find trained and qualified employees.   

“We’re really here to help build communities and wealth, and the best way to do that is to support small businesses,” she said.

MICROBUSINESS GRANT SAVES SOUTH LA SALON!

The Pico-Union/Westlake Business Source Center (BSC) recently helped Olga Gomez, owner of Daisy’s Beauty Salon, successfully obtain a City of Los Angeles Microenterprise Recovery Grant to help sustain her business.

Olga (pictured above) holds both a cosmetology and barber license. After graduating from cosmetology school, she knew she wanted to start her own business. Olga immigrated to the United States from Guatemala when she was 15 years old. She was proud to be a self-made business owner that operated her salon in South Los Angeles for more than 20 years without any assistance. Then COVID-19 halted the economy and the Stay-at-Home Order mandated that all beauty salons close for 16 months from March 9, 2020, to June 2021, or be forced to pay heavy fines. For the first time since she started the business, Olga knew that she needed to ask for help.

“There was a point that I was in front of the business and asking myself if I should close the business. I didn’t want to close my business. I love my business.”

In August 2021, her entrepreneurial spirit prompted her to learn about publicity, which led her to Ivan Vazquez, a Business/Loan Counselor at the Pico-Union/Westlake BSC. Ivan provided Olga with information on various COVID-19 disaster relief financial assistance programs, then helped her apply for any programs for which she was eligible, including the City of Los Angeles Microenterprise Grant Program.

“Ivan helped me so much. He was there when I needed him the most. Helping me complete the application allowed me to receive the funds to help pay for the commercial rent of my business.” 

Olga’s landlord considered her efforts, her 20-year tenancy, and agreed to accept the grant funds. They also agreed that Olga’s remaining balance would be paid in small, monthly increments until her commercial rent is current. Olga said she is grateful for the help she received from her counselor and was excited to learn about all the resources provided at the LA BusinessSource Centers.

The Pico-Union/Westlake BSC will continue to assist Olga with broadening her services to include eyelash extensions, manicures and pedicures, and make-up services. She said she would also like to start a cosmetology school to assist immigrants who have the same passion for cosmetology.