Annually, CAMEO Network members serve about 200,000 very small businesses with training, business and credit assistance and loans. These firms – largely start-ups with less than six employees – support or create 300,000 new jobs and generate a total of $15 billion in economic activity.
When very small businesses succeed, they create jobs, they build their neighborhoods and communities so that our economy can thrive.
Find success stories based on the following categories:
Men | Women | Regions | Veterans | Immigrants | Minorities | Green Micro-Businesses | Faces of Entrepreneurship
Faces of Entrepreneurship Winners
Ricardo Rocha, RVS Technology Group
When owner Ricardo Rocha was a teenager, he dreamt that he became a business owner. Years later, after immigrating from Mexico and working in the fields, he made his dream come true by opening a small computer service shop in Watsonville. Through El Pajaro CDC’s Business Incubator Program, RVS Technologies grew into a full-service provider that employs 12 people and works with small and mid-sized businesses.
Calvin Andrews, Lena’s Soul Food
Lena’s Soul Food has become a pillar in its community of East Oakland. Not only does owner Calvin Andrews employ dozens of people, including formerly incarcerated folks, but he also gives back by giving away unsold food to locals in need, many of whom are unhoused. Calvin is a client of Main Street Launch and one of CAMEO Network’s Faces of Entrepreneurship Award winners!
Our Latest Success Stories
- SCALE Small Business Story: Anton O’Hanlon, Artefex
For Anton O’Hanlon, growing Artefex meant learning that he didn’t have to build his business alone. With support from SCALE and the West Center, Anton helped his manufacturing business achieve more in two years than in the previous ten.
- SCALE Small Business Story: Blanca Larios, Seacliff Beach Laundromat
Discover how Blanca Larios transformed Seacliff Beach Laundromat from a local business into a growing community enterprise, creating jobs and expanding services with support from California’s SCALE program and El Pájaro CDC.
- SCALE Small Business Story: Tania Martinez and Carlos Vazquez, C&C Auto Refinishing
Tania Martinez and Carlos Vazquez transformed C&C Auto Refinishing LLC into a thriving San Bruno business with support from RenCenter, Working Solutions CDFI, and California’s SCALE program.
More Stories
- SCALE Small Business Story: Keisha Daniels, Watts Up Mini MarketMeet Keisha Daniels, the Watts community advocate who used California’s SCALE program to open a neighborhood grocery store — bringing healthy food and economic opportunity to her own backyard.
- SCALE Small Business Story: Ashley Juhl-Darlington, BAPA’s MarketAfter 30 years in healthcare, Ashley Juhl-Darlington opened BAPA’s Market with support from the Butte College SBDC, 3CORE, and California’s SCALE program, the flagship initiative of CalOSBA managed by CAMEO Network.
- SCALE Small Business Story: Maxwell Setsoafia, VoltaMed Community ClinicU.S. Army veteran Maxwell Setsoafia founded VoltaMed Community Clinic to bring healthcare to underserved communities in the Inland Empire. With support from First Community Capital and California’s SCALE program, VoltaMed is expanding access to care and building healthier, stronger communities.
- SCALE Small Business Story: Antony Ayodele, Tower BlendzFresno entrepreneur Antony Ayodele turned a struggling yogurt shop into Tower Blendz, a thriving community café. With support from Access Plus Capital and California’s SCALE program, he kept his business strong and his mission alive.
- SCALE Small Business Story: AmaYah Harrison, Sage & Silver StudiosWhen photographer AmaYah Harrison returned to Sacramento, she dreamed of creating a welcoming space for artists to collaborate and grow. With guidance from mentors and support from the SCALE program, that dream became Sage & Silver Studios.