Alfredo Garcia had twenty years of experience in diesel trucking, but needed some business development training to grow Watsonville Diesel. Thanks to the firm foundation of strategy and financial management training that CAMEO member El Pajaro CDC provided, he was able to open a second location and make progress toward becoming an international dealer.
Category: Success Story
Patty Rodriguez, SF Parking
Patty Rodriguez opened SF Parking in order to support jobs that would have otherwise been lost when her employers lost a parking contract, and continues to support job seekers in her community that would otherwise be unable to find work due to criminal histories or lack of education. She received a $25,000 microloan from Working Solutions in 2012, and continues to work with their staff to grow her small business.
Chiefo Chukwudebe, Chiefo’s Kitchen
Chiefo Chukwudebe’s small business did well at the La Cocina Street Food Festival in 2009, but wasn’t sure she could afford to return in 2011. Thankfully, Opportunity Fund was able to provide her with the $3,000 microloan she needed to return and push her business to the next level.
Ninette Paloma, Santa Barbara Centre for Aerial Arts
Ninette Paloma launched a successful aerial arts school and performance center after receiving self-employment training from Women’s Economic Ventures.
Luz Orozco, Qi Hair Salon
Luz Orozco built her own hair salon on a solid foundation thanks to the knowledge and assistance she received from Inland Empire SBDC, and created six jobs in her community.
Penny Baldado, Cafe Gabriela
Penny Baldado moved to the United States from the Philippines and opened her own cafe thanks to training and financial assistance from CAMEO member AnewAmerica.
Harvey Ledesma, Ledesma Optometry
Thanks to a $25,000 microloan from CDC Small Business Finance and business training from Inland Empire SBDC, Dr. Ledesma was able to retain five jobs, increase inventory and generate an additional $200,000 in revenue at his small optometry business.
Bernardo Ayala, Napa Valley Bistro
Already a successful chef, Bernardo Ayala got the technical assistance and one-on-one support he needed to open his own restaurant from Napa-Sonoma SBDC.
Davin Vculek and Joe Blanton, Krush Burger
Krush Burger has expanded to two brick and mortar locations plus a fleet of food trucks thanks to high-quality food, a robust social media presence, and a small business loan from CAMEO member SAFE-BIDCO.
Melvina Hill, Melvina Hill Consulting
After being laid off, Melvina Hill built her fledgling consulting business with a microloan from Accion San Diego and Kiva.