World Entrepreneur Day: Celebrating Success and Preparing for What’s Next | | |
Our World Entrepreneur Day celebration was a tremendous success, bringing together entrepreneurs, experts, financial institutions, and community leaders for an afternoon filled with learning, inspiration, recognition, and opportunity.
Throughout the event, participants shared how much they learned and how valuable it was to have experts in the room to answer questions and provide real-world guidance. Our awardees were especially excited to be recognized for their entrepreneurial journeys and contributions to our communities. Their stories reminded us why we celebrate entrepreneurship in the first place: because behind every business is a person who took a chance on an idea and made it happen.
The Export Success Panel was one of the highlights of the day. Our outstanding entrepreneurs shared their experiences navigating global markets, demonstrating that international opportunities are possible when businesses are prepared and willing to think beyond their local market.
And then came an important message from our banking partners.
We asked them to help us understand: Who are the entrepreneurs getting approved for loans?
Their answer was clear: the entrepreneurs sitting in our audience are the kind of candidates banks want to work with.
The next step? Get your papers together. Be prepared. Know your numbers.
That message is a powerful reminder that opportunity often meets preparation.
Whether you are seeking financing, expanding your business, pursuing contracts, or entering new markets, having your business documentation and financials in order can make all the difference.
Check the event pictures here: Click Here
And we're keeping that momentum going.
Ready for Your Next Opportunity?
Our next event is designed to help entrepreneurs prepare for another major pathway to growth: government contracting.
If you've ever wondered how to do business with government agencies, whether your business is contract-ready, or what certifications and documents you need to compete for opportunities, our Contract Ready event is for you.
Come learn. Come ask questions. Come get prepared.
The opportunity may be closer than you think. Your job is to be ready when the door opens.
Join us at Contract Ready and take the next step toward growing your business.
| | Who's Who in NEW: Katherine Perez, Chief Development Officer | | |
Katherine Perez brings more than three decades of executive leadership experience to New Economics for Women (NEW), with an exceptional career spanning affordable housing, transportation, sustainability, civic infrastructure, and community development. Her work across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors has established her as a respected leader dedicated to creating stronger, more resilient communities.
Before joining NEW, Katherine served as Strategic Advisor to Los Angeles Tomorrow and as Principal and Los Angeles Office Leader at Arup, where she directed a 300-person office, led major project pursuits, and provided strategic leadership on complex public-sector infrastructure and decarbonization initiatives. Her distinguished career also includes co-founding ELP Advisors, serving as Executive Director of the Urban Land Institute Los Angeles District Council, Vice President at Forest City Enterprises, and founding the Transportation and Land Use Collaborative.
Katherine's commitment to public service is equally remarkable. She has served as Deputy Mayor of Pasadena, Transportation Manager for the City of South Pasadena, and was a candidate for California State Senate, representing District 25. She is also passionate about developing future leaders, serving as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California's Sol Price School of Public Policy. Her previous teaching experience includes UCLA, Pepperdine University, and the National League of Cities, where she trained elected officials in community engagement and leadership.
Her dedication to community development extends through her service on numerous boards and commissions, including Mercy Housing and the American Planning Association Foundation. She has also held appointments with the California High-Speed Rail Authority and the Los Angeles Mayor's Office of International Affairs. Katherine earned a Master's degree in Urban Planning from UCLA and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from California State University, Northridge. She also completed the prestigious Shaping a Sustainable Future master's module through Arup University and the University of Cambridge.
As Chief Development Officer at NEW, Katherine leads strategic initiatives that expand the organization's impact. She oversees rapid-response housing programs for disaster-impacted homeowners, advances reinvestment strategies for NEW's affordable housing portfolio, and identifies innovative funding opportunities that preserve and strengthen community assets for generations to come.
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NEWS FROM OUR WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER
IN HUNTINGTON PARK
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WE SERVE
Artesia, Bell, BellGardens, Bellflower, Cerritos, Commerce, Compton, Cudahy, Downey,
Hawaiian Gardens,, Huntington Park, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, Lakewood, Long Beach, Lynwood, Maywood, Montebello, Norwalk, Paramount, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, Signal Hill, South Gate, Vernon, Whittier, Avalon (on Catalina Island), Los Angeles County, Port of Long Beach, City of Industry.
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Lilian C. Alger
Business Consultant - Gateway Cities
Women's Business Center
lalger@neworg.us
3355 E Gage Ave #323 Suite 100
Huntington Park 90255
| | NEWS FROM EAST LOS ANGELES BUSINESS SOURCE CENTER | |
Supporting Boyle Heights Businesses Through the Community Resource Center
This week, we are proud to highlight our participation in the Boyle Heights
Warehouse Fire Community Resource Center, an important community response created to support local businesses affected by the recent fire. As the NEW East LA
Business Source Center primarily serves businesses in Boyle Heights, we are honored to be part of this effort and to help ensure local entrepreneurs have access to the resources and support they need during this challenging time.
Through the Community Resource Center, our team is providing business assistance, referrals, and connections to additional community resources for local business owners who have been impacted by the fire. Our goal is to meet businesses where they are, listen to their needs, and help connect them with organizations and services that can support their recovery.
In addition to our business support and referrals, we are also providing air purifiers and masks to businesses affected by the fire. These resources are intended to provide immediate support to local businesses as they navigate the impacts of the incident and begin taking steps toward recovery.
Our participation in the Community Resource Center reflects the important role that the East LA Business Source Center plays in the Boyle Heights community. We understand that when an emergency affects local businesses, entrepreneurs may need more than one type of resource. By bringing together business assistance, referrals, and essential supplies, we hope to make it easier for business owners to find the help they need in one place.
We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our community partners and organizations participating in the Boyle Heights Warehouse Fire Community Resource Center. Collaboration is essential during times of crisis, and together we can help ensure that affected businesses are not left to navigate the recovery process alone.
Our team remains committed to supporting the businesses and entrepreneurs who make Boyle Heights such a vibrant and resilient community. We are here to connect local businesses with the resources, referrals, and assistance they deserve, while continuing to stand alongside them as they recover and move forward.
To the Boyle Heights business community: you are not alone. The NEW East LA Business Source Center is proud to be part of the community response and looks forward to continuing to provide support, connections, and resources to help local businesses navigate this difficult time.
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Aileen Sierra
Program Manager
East LA - Business Source Center
asierra@neworg.us
+1 213 279 7748
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Federal Tax Credit for Paid Leave
Federal law doesn’t require employers to offer paid family and medical leave (companies with 50 or more employees must offer unpaid leave and some states have their own paid/unpaid leave mandates). But employers that choose to offer paid leave may qualify for a federal tax credit. The credit can be based on direct payment by the employer to the employee or for premiums the employer pays to cover the leave. TheIRS explains how to calculate the credit for the premium method and to allocate the premiums for creditable coverage. #IdeaoftheDay
| | We highly recommend that you visit our upcoming Women’s Business Center entrepreneurial webinars on our website that may help you in putting your business in a stronger position to receive a Grant or a Loan using this link and scroll down. https://neworg.ecenterdirect.com/events?reset=1 | | In the wake of the recent California wildfires, NEW Women's Business Center stands united with those who have experienced the unimaginable loss of their homes and businesses. We understand the overwhelming challenges you face during this difficult time, and we want you to know that we are here to support you. | |
Our Team Is Here To Help
Contact Us Now
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Hasmik Tangyan
Program Coodinator
htangyan@neworg.us
(213) 649-9963
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Cynthia Ramirez
Business Consultant
818-630-9067
| | UPCOMING EVENTS AND WEBINARS | | | |
Level up your business at Contract Ready Bootcamp! Happening Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 10 AM in Huntington Park. Find out how to qualify for contracts across LA City, LA County, California, Federal agencies, and private companies. Register and book your appointment now! | | Ask your loan questions to the SBA | |  | GC | Route to Become an LA28 Vendor | | | In this session we break down how the U.S. Small Business Administration really works — including the SBA 7(a), 504, Community Advantage, and Microloan programs, the latest on EIDL, and why a strong business plan can make or break your approval. | | | We will break down, step by step, how to officially position your business to work with the State of California, the City of Los Angeles, and major opportunities like LA28—from getting your Small Business certification to registering as a vendor in RAMP and supplier portals. | | | |
Date: 9/2/2026
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM (PDT)
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Date: 9/3/2026
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (PDT)
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WHY THE WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER
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The Women’s Business Center developed organically out of NEW’s innovative spirit, becoming key to propelling women beyond stability to wealth creation that also extends to their families.
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New Economics for women is hiring now!! We are looking for:
- College Corner Tutors
| | "Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration." | | | | |
