L.A. stories of inspiration and success

L.A. stories of inspiration and success


(left to right) Central West Region BSC Business Loan Counselor Phuong Le presenting Jean Kwon, owner of JK Law Firm, with a $100,000 SBA working capital loan
The Central West Region BusinessSource Center (BSC) recently helped long-term client Jean Kwon, Esquire, obtain a second $100,000 Small Business Administration (SBA) Community Advantage loan.

The infusion of additional capital enables her business JK Law Firm to hire three additional employees and build on 12 additional client cases. EWDD Updates first featured the JK Law Firm in December 2018 after Jean visited the Central West Region BSC in fall 2018 in search of ways to find funding to maintain business cash flow.

Cun Sang Chi in the kitchen of his restaurant Sushi Beluga in Playa Del Rey
East Los Angeles BusinessSource Center (BSC) client Cun Sang Chi, the first recipient of LA City’s Microloan program, recently celebrated the grand opening of his restaurant Sushi Beluga in Playa Del Rey.

The East Los Angeles BSC provided Mr. Chi with extensive business consulting services, including purchasing the restaurant from the previous owner, lease negotiations, and assistance obtaining the required licenses and permits with the City of Los Angeles and LA County’s Public Health Department.

LA:RISE participant Stephanie at her job with the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC)
EWDD is a leadership team partner of the Los Angeles Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (LA:RISE), an innovative, collaborative partnership that unites the City and County of LA’s Workforce Development System with non-profit social enterprises and for profit employers to help men and women with high barriers to employment get good jobs and stay employed.

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

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