Thanks to support from West Company, encore entrepreneur Connie Fledderjohann was brave enough to change her business model and launch Happiness Cards, her growing micro-business.
Category: Success Story
Melissa Elia, Mayssa Fragrance
Melissa Elia started working with Women’s Initiative in 1999, and today her microbusiness, Mayssa Fragrance, sells its products across the country.
Christy & Al Kroell, ChristyAl Plaques
Thanks to training from an SBA SCORE chapter and a timely loan from Fresno CDFI, veterans Christy and Al Kroell were able to purchase the laser engraver they needed to launch their small business.
Gregory King, Postcards
Gregory King had an MBA and years of experience in the corporate world, but the help he received from Pacific Coast Regional helped take Postcards, his soul food truck micro-business, from idea to reality.
Kristin Long, MIGHTYminnow
Kristin Long went from being a solo freelancer to developing a strong consulting business by forming strategic relationships with other freelance consultants. Then she went from freelancing to having a brick and mortar space with employees. Her story is a great example of how ‘self-employment is the labor market trend.’
Leslie Labowitz-Starus, Foodology
Leslie Labowitz-Starus used funds and training she received from VEDC to sustain her organic and natural food small business through the recession.
Beny Benjamini, License2Bling
Thanks to help from Pacific Coast Regional, Beny Benjamini was able to obtain a $200,000 business loan for his small business creating crystal studded license plate holders.
Karen Bartlett, Veterans Home Team
Karen Bartlett participated in Veterans Business Outreach workshops and trainings to develop Veterans Home Team, her award-winning Sacramento-area business.
Suely Ngouy, Woman for Woman
Suely Ngouy’s Central Valley business was able to secure the licenses and permits they needed to operate as a social enterprise serving Cambodian-American women thanks to help from PACE.
John & Maria Harrison, Tea Gallerie
John and Maria Harrison’s San Diego-based small business was able to double its revenues and hire two new employees thanks to a loan from Accion San Diego.