Our Impact
Annually, CAMEO’s 220+ members serve about 21,000 very small businesses with training, business and credit assistance, and loans. These firms — largely startups with less than 5 employees — support or create 37,000 new jobs in California.
Small businesses have a multiplier effect on their local economies 2 times that of national chains
Small businesses create a total of $1.5 billion in economic activity
Over 70% of clients served are low- to moderate-income underserved microbusinessesLearn more about us or view recent news and events.
Why Our Work Matters
Dinuka Ranasinghe, Kid Works Children’s Center
Dinuka Ranasinghe studied law and passed the New York Bar exam. But after realizing law was not her passion, she decided to pursue her dream: working with young children. She began studying early childhood development and in 2008 purchased a preschool in Long Beach, California called Kid Works Children’s Center.
Cinthya Flores, Utz Threads
Cinthya Flores is the successful owner of Utz Threads in Oakland, CA. The name Utz Threads comes from the word "good" in Maya Quiché; the language spoken by the women weavers that create their product in Chichicastenango, Guatemala.
Amy Truby, Mt. Shasta Counseling & Neurofeedback
When Amy Truby learned about neurofeedback and its potential to change people's lives for the better, she decided it was time to open her own practice. But she barely knew anything about running a business – especially when it came to taxes and bookkeeping.
Cindy Greaver, Mrs. G’s
Cindy Greaver and her husband, Kent, began Mrs. G’s over twenty years ago when she started making hot pepper jellies as gifts for friends and family. Since then, her heady, homemade confections have caught fire with customers and fans across the country.
Lindsey Ott, Mama Tong
Ever since she can remember, Lindsey Ott has loved babies and everything that has to do with the miracle of childbirth. In her 20s, she studied to become a midwife. Then, she found herself traveling in Hawaii and settled in an organic farm in Maui. There, she started learning about growing plants for sustenance and wellbeing, turning it into her newfound passion.Are You An Entrepreneur or Micro Business Owner Looking for Support?
Apply for a loan through one of our member organizations.
Explore a compilation of resources for micro business owners.
Upcoming CAMEO Events
View our full calendar of micro business events in California ›
Micro Business News
Highlights from our MicroBiz blog, Must Know from CAMEO, and op-eds on the micro business field.