For more than 25 years, Seacliff Beach Laundromat has been part of the fabric of Aptos, California. Today, owner Blanca Larios leads a growing business that serves local residents and vacation rental properties alike, but her story began in a very different place. In 1999, Blanca started working at the laundromat as an employee, learning every aspect of the operation — from maintaining equipment to managing customer relationships and understanding the books. What began as a job eventually became a lifelong entrepreneurial journey.
After more than a decade of hard work and dedication, Blanca achieved a dream she once thought was out of reach. In 2011, she purchased the business and became its owner. It was a milestone that represented years of perseverance, determination, and a deep commitment to serving her community. Yet she soon learned that owning a business was just the beginning. The real challenge was figuring out how to grow it.
Like many entrepreneurs, Blanca did not start with a strong support network or experienced mentors to guide her. As a young woman entering the business world, she largely had to navigate the path on her own. Reflecting on those early years, she explains, “I learned by doing, making mistakes, correcting them, and trying again.” That hands-on approach became the foundation of her success. Every setback became a learning opportunity, helping her build resilience, confidence, and practical business knowledge.
In 2017, Blanca identified an opportunity to expand beyond traditional laundry services. Recognizing the needs of the growing vacation rental market along California’s coast, she began providing linen and towel services for local rental properties. The expansion proved transformative. Today, Seacliff Beach Laundromat processes linens for ten to twelve vacation rental homes every day, and during the busy summer season, that number can reach as many as twenty-four homes daily. The business has grown to employ six team members, creating jobs and supporting local families.
As demand increased, so did the need for capital. Blanca needed additional inventory, working capital, and resources to hire and retain employees. For years, she and her husband relied entirely on savings and reinvestment to fund growth. Every dollar the business earned went back into purchasing linens, maintaining equipment, buying spare parts, and expanding operations. Her husband worked another job to help support the family while they continued investing in the company. It was a period marked by sacrifice, discipline, and a shared commitment to building something lasting.
When Blanca sought financing to grow her business, she faced a challenge familiar to many entrepreneurs: traditional lenders did not see her potential. Through the SCALE (Success, Capital Access, and Leadership for Entrepreneurs) program — a CalOSBA initiative managed by CAMEO Network — and local partner El Pájaro Community Development Corporation, she gained access to the capital, coaching, and guidance needed to expand operations, hire employees, and secure new clients.
The support Blanca received extended far beyond a loan. El Pájaro provided advice, encouragement, and a pathway to new opportunities, helping her continue growing her business. But for Blanca, scaling impact means much more than increasing revenue. Every load of linens her company delivers supports the local tourism economy, and every new client creates more hours and opportunities for employees and their families.
Blanca now envisions expanding service throughout the Bay Area, encouraging leaders within her company, investing in sales and business development, and adopting new technology that can increase efficiency and capacity. With support from El Pájaro and California’s SCALE program, she continues to prove what is possible. Her journey is a powerful reminder that investing in small businesses means investing in people, jobs, and the future.