Your Guiding Light

Working with local partners, the LA SBDC helped organize PPE Unite to distribute free face shields, masks, and hand sanitizer to Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura County small businesses. Over 30 million units of free PPE distributed throughout LA, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. 24 mobile distribution events brought PPE directly to the small business communities that needed it most. 40,000+ small businesses received supplies, 70% were microbusinesses with fewer than 10 employees.

In partnership with PPE Unite and Norcal SBDC Affiliate, GlobalSF secured 500,000 PPEs for the city of San Francisco. On day one of distribution, they were able to provide 130 businesses with more than 80,000 PPEs in San Franciso's Chinatown within 3 hours. 255 businesses in total were able to take advantage of the giveaway.

California Shop Small is a 5-week program to help product-based aspiring or existing business owners sell online. Business owners learned how to get their business online, reach new customers, and increase their sales at a local, regional, and national scale. After completing the program, business owners gained access to sell on a California branded eCommerce platform. Business owners received a six month free subscription to sell online while receiving no cost 1:1 consulting.

Rancho Pharmacy launched in La Mesa with the SBDC's help and started offering COVID-19 vaccination appointments daily in spring 2021. The pharmacy started during the pandemic and became a community staple for COVID-19 immunizations — using the pharmacy website for bookings as well as managing calls and walk-ins. The owner and pharmacist Fatima Hamade took SBDC trainings, worked with her SBDC business advisor, and learned more about every aspect of her small business to start-up including financing, marketing, and how to hire employees. "The SBDC has been with me from the beginning," Fatima says, including helping her secure $455,000 in capital.

Havana Street Tattoo opened 15 years ago in Aurora. In mid-2019, business partners and co-owners, Larry Foussat and Gilbert Ledesma decided to open a new location. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 shelter in place order was a major obstacle to opening a second business. Contacting the Aurora-South Metro SBDC was the most beneficial first step possible. The SBDC offered direction on a plan of action, creating a comprehensive well-organized business plan and ultimately provided information about optional funding. "The guidance and assistance that we've received from the SBDC prior to opening our new shop has been amazing! It has been like having an expert, professional friend who is always available to help."