In 2021, Tania Martinez Mendez and her husband Carlos were presented with an opportunity that would change their lives: the chance to purchase an auto repair shop close to their home in San Bruno. For Tania, the decision carried special meaning. The couple named the business C&C Auto Refinishing in honor of their daughter, Crystal.
Although excited about becoming business owners, Tania also knew the transition would not be easy. Purchasing and operating a business came with unfamiliar responsibilities, and she was unsure where to begin or what it would take to make the company successful. Like many first-time entrepreneurs, she quickly realized that passion alone would not be enough.
The turning point came through a conversation with a friend who owned a restaurant. After working with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center (RenCenter) for business coaching and support, Tania’s friend encouraged her and Carlos to reach out as they prepared to buy C&C Auto. Taking that advice would become one of the most important steps in their entrepreneurial journey.
At RenCenter, Tania found the guidance and resources she needed to confidently move forward. Through classes and one-on-one support, she learned the fundamentals of business formation, licensing, and permits. The organization also helped her better understand the operational side of entrepreneurship, giving her the tools to build a strong foundation for the business.
Beyond technical requirements, RenCenter also supported the couple with branding and marketing strategies that helped modernize and grow the company. Tania received assistance creating a website and logo, pricing services, and setting up a point-of-sale system that allowed customers to pay with credit cards. Every opportunity to learn became another step toward strengthening the business.
“Every class they offered, I took,” Tania shared. Even after successfully launching the business, she continues participating in RenCenter trainings to sharpen her skills and become an even stronger business owner. For Tania, entrepreneurship is an ongoing learning process, and access to trusted support has made all the difference.
As the business expanded, additional community-based support helped C&C Auto Refinishing reach its next phase. In 2024, Working Solutions CDFI helped the couple with capital to relocate the business, positioning the company for continued growth and visibility in the community.
Tania says their story is proof that entrepreneurship is much easier when business owners are not navigating challenges alone. It takes coaching from organizations like RenCenter, access to capital from mission-driven lenders like Working Solutions CDFI, and a network of people committed to helping small businesses succeed. “It truly takes a village,” she explained.
That village was strengthened through California’s SCALE program, a project of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) that is managed by CAMEO Network. Through investments in community lenders and comprehensive business support organizations, SCALE helps entrepreneurs access the tools they need to start and grow successful businesses. Today, Tania and Carlos are proud to continue serving the San Bruno community with high-quality, affordable auto refinishing services while building a lasting legacy rooted in resilience, community, and opportunity.