L.A. stories of inspiration and success

L.A. stories of inspiration and success


Violet “Vee” Cristobal, owner of Cristobal & Company CPAs
The Central West BusinessSource Center (BSC) helped long-term client Violet “Vee” Cristobal, owner of Cristobal & Company CPAs, obtain a $92,000 Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan, which will enable her to keep her business open and keep her eight employees on staff during the COVID-19 crisis.

When Vee realized that she needed business assistance during COVID-19, she turned to Central West BSC Business loan counselor Redy Babasa-Thompson.

selection of screenshots of Grid110 participants organized like a Zoom virtual meeting
Grid110, a 501c3 clean technology start-up incubator dedicated to helping entrepreneurs launch their businesses, kicked-off its first virtual program earlier this month via ZOOM due to COVID-19.

Twenty companies were selected for its spring 2020 cohort. The first program is a Residency Program, which is designed for early stage companies that are typically post-launch and have evidence of traction/validation in the form of users, revenue and/or funding.

Compass Rose Collaborative participant Mr. Neru working on the $1.7 billion Metro Regional Connector Project
Formerly on parole supervision, Compass Rose Collaborative (CRC) participant Mr. Neru is now off parole and is continuing to work on the $1.7 billion Metro Regional Connector Project. According to Mr. Neru, all workers are required to wear a mask while on the premises and during work hours.

The City of LA was one of three cities awarded the CRC grant from the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration in June 2018.

EWDD Management Analyst Roy
City of LA Small Business Emergency Microloan Program
Since the launch of the Small Business Emergency Microloan program, hundreds of thousands of individuals have viewed the loan’s details on LAMayor.org/loan.

EWDD Management Analyst Roy works in the department’s Economic Development Division which is charged with

EWDD Systems Analyst Hotae
On March 18, 2020, Mayor Eric Garcetti activated the City’s Disaster Service Worker (DSW) program, dispatching City employees to assist in emergency relief programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Approximately 33 EWDD employees have served as DSWs, with many assisting efforts at centers designed to help the City’s unsheltered. Below are the stories of two EWDD staffers and their DSW experience in early April 2020.

EWDD Rapid Response Team member Gary sitting at his desk
In order to assist Angelenos who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, EWDD’s Rapid Response Team has launched virtual orientations designed to help job seekers navigate the process of filing for unemployment and obtaining other resources, including health insurance.

“They can access all the things we talk about here for free,” said EWDD Rapid Response Team member Gary. “So, that’s how we're outreaching right now.”

LA:RISE logo
The Los Angeles Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (LA:RISE) is an innovative, collaborative program that helps individuals with high barriers to employment get good jobs and stay employed. EWDD is a leadership team partner of LA:RISE.

The following stories illustrate the success of the LA:RISE program, made possible through the efforts of EWDD, WorkSource Centers, our partner agencies, and the LA:RISE clients.

Janina Washington (left) with business counselor Supranee May (right) at the PACE operated MidCity BusinessSource Center
The MidCity Region BusinessSource Center recently helped Janina Washington open her new Pilates studio, Balance Reform.

After attending a Startup Workshop, Janina met business counselor Supranee May, who provided her one-on-one counseling. Supranee helped Janina with her business plan and development, financial projection, cash flow analysis, and marketing strategy. She also guided Janina toward access to capital and financing options that would lead her on a better path to financial success.

Leticia Roman and Genaro Rodriguez cut the ribbon at the grand opening of their Panorama City to-go/delivery restaurant, 3 Hermanos Kitchen
The North Valley BusinessSource Center (BSC) helped Leticia Roman and her husband Genaro Rodriguez open the 3 Hermanos Kitchen, a to-go restaurant inside their store 3 Hermanos Market.

In 2014, Leticia and Roman purchased the store from their former boss, becoming owners of the Panorama City-based businesses where they had worked for 15 years as a cashier and butcher. After envisioning adding a to-go restaurant in their store, the couple turned to the North Valley BSC to help turn their dream into a reality.

Salvador Medina, owner of Medina Truck & Transport
The South Valley BusinessSource Center (BSC) has provided ongoing business assistance to long-term client Salvador Medina, owner of Medina Truck & Transport.

The BSC most recently helped the company secure a $250K loan and a $50K line of credit for day-to-day operating costs. Established in 2017, Medina Truck & Transport is a Los Angeles-based trucking company currently operating in the sanitation and recycling industry.

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