LoveBox: Gift Boxes Made in San Jose

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Sisters Who Turned their Passion for Art into their Livelihood

For Caryne Sanchez Moros and Tibisay Sanchez Moros, art has always been a part of how they see the world. The twin sisters shared a love for art from the beginning, right from elementary art class projects to the workshops and classes that occupied their afterschool hours, free-time and school breaks. Even though both were encouraged to pursue their talents, neither of the sisters pursued those interests into higher education. Instead, Caryne and Tibisay earned a degree in Criminalistics and Criminal Science. Yet, their passion for art lingered through those years.  

The sisters’ shared passion gave them a unique perspective that led to the creation of Lovebox, a company that creates customized decorations and personalized gifts. Caryne and Tibisay knew their talent made them unique in their ability to create one-of-a-kind, handmade decorations and arrangements that could spur joy and wonder in others, and lend a little bit of magic to special occasions.   

Thus, an idea was formed, but the sisters weren’t sure where to start. One of the biggest challenges for them was selecting and targeting a customer base. In 2018, the sisters turned to Centro for help to tackle these early challenges and propel their business from concept to execution. Through the Centro Entrepreneurship Program, they gained meaningful insights into the fundamentals of business financials, marketing, customer acquisition, and business plan development. Centro’s Business Planning app was instrumental in helping conceptualize and operationalize their life-long passion of owning a business that was going to bring joy to others. 

Merging their talent and passion with what they learned through Centro, Caryne and Tibisay launched Lovebox and have built a growing client base. “It is fun because we never thought about a business that has to do with art,” say the sisters. Lovebox has steadily grown, with requests for the Moros’ products and services arriving almost daily. The growth is happening and luckily the twins were ready. When event decorations are ordered, one to two part-time employees are brought in to help with the delivery and installation. The twins will continue to invest in equipment to grow Lovebox’s ability to meet the needs of their growing customer base. And they continue to use what they’ve learned from the Centro Entrepreneurship Program to enhance their marketing efforts and introduce themselves to even more potential customers. “At this time we have customers from different cities in the Bay area and several people from other cities across the country write to us daily.” 

Fortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has not severely impacted the twin’s business, but effects are still felt: “Since Covid-19 there are no parties or crowds, therefore our decoration products with balloons are not being sold right now, but we have active custom arrangements which is what has been selling and people keep asking.” Lovebox has been able to pivot by focusing on creating products that meet the moment, reducing variety and also expanding delivery and instore pick-up options that are safe for both them and their customers. “Simply by giving the customer different delivery options, there are people who are afraid of contact, so we always ask the client how they would like the product to be delivered.”   

“Entrepreneurship is dedication, perseverance, learning, searching, failure and effort until your dreams come true,” say the sisters. Join us in congratulating Caryne and Tibisay for bringing a unique artistic perspective to make special moments even more so. Follow @lovebox8 on Instagram or @loveboxmoros on Facebook and give them a look for the next celebration or special gift you want to make all the more memorable.

Launching a Food Business During COVID-19

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Meet Elidia, Founder of Carnicería el Toro

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Elidia Mendoza has always had a dream of having her own business and working for herself. “I am very passionate about cooking,” she says. “I’ve had the opportunity to try delicious dishes and that inspired me to do the same – to bring delicious Mexican food to people.” The only thing holding her back was a lack of confidence in her ability to successfully launch a business, and the fear that she would spend all of her savings to invest in it, only to lose everything. 

“I thought that the entrepreneurship program would be difficult to understand and that it was only a program for people with advanced knowledge,” Mendoza says of Centro's entrepreneurship program. Yet she decided to take a leap and participate, with the goal to learn as much as she could about business and marketing strategies. “I wanted to learn how to place my products in a small market to experiment and learn during the process.” She also needed to learn about the process of applying for permits and licenses to sell food and how to choose the best insurance for her business.

Mendoza praises her Centro trainer, Lupita, for her thoughtful guidance during the program to make the best decisions regarding the operation of her business. While she feels that the community always had trust in her business, Centro's entrepreneurship program taught her how to utilize new technological tools such as Yelp, Square and other social media platforms to promote her business, as well as helping her design a logo. With the confidence and knowledge gained from the Centro Entrepreneurship program, Mendoza become more confident that her business would succeed. With new resources and information to help her connect with and have a presence in her community, she was able to quickly increase her number of clients.

Surviving During a Crisis

The current public health emergency has been challenging for many small business owners, especially in the restaurant industry. Luckily, through Centro’s Entrepreneurship program, Mendoza had recently improved the way she managed her finances. “I learned to better distribute my income and to be able to separate personal and business finances, which helped me improve my savings and invest efficiently in my business,” she says. This has made surviving the pandemic a little bit easier, even as business has slowed. “Before COVID-19 my business was growing very fast – the community, our friends, and family have supported us a lot and thanks to them the business has had good sales.” Despite increased restrictions, Carnicería el Toro continues to operate Monday through Saturday, while being sure to take food safety measures and follow government issued Guidance for Restaurants. Having the opportunity to offer to-go service and promote the business on Facebook has been very helpful and, although sales have decreased, customers in the community have not stopped supporting them and have even recommended the food to friends and others. Friends, family, and other customers have also helped boost the name recognition and popularity of Carnicería el Toro by reviewing the business on its Yelp page, which Mendoza set up with the help of her training from Centro. 

Something else that has helped keep their business sales steady during COVID-19 restrictions has been offering a special menu from Thursday to Saturday, asking clients what dish they would like to try that is different from offerings on the regular menu. Learning to adapt to challenges, develop additional services, and figure out how to continue marketing their product during uncertain times is one of the many skills that Mendoza gained through her Entrepreneurship program. “I believe that giving the customer the freedom to choose a particular dish helps to maintain trust and create a special relationship, especially in these difficult times when we need to be together and support each other,” she says. She also tries to buy food from other local restaurants whenever possible, supporting other small businesses that are struggling the same way she is. Their continued support, she says, has helped Carnicería el Toro to continue operating during these challenging times.

Growth and Inspiration

Over the next year, Mendoza wants to expand her business and continue to increase the number of clients. She is also hoping to buy more equipment and hire at least two employees to help them tackle running a growing business. “I'd also like to apply for a $10K loan with Kiva,” she says, which would help her to fund these goals.

“I remember that my biggest dream when I came to this country was to have a business and now I can proudly say that I have achieved it,” Mendoza says. “I would like to inspire people who want to open their first business. I know it is not an easy path, but in the process there are people and organizations that offer their support to achieve it.” She encourages people to never give up and to not stop believing in themselves.

… And if they are looking to develop a solid strategy or come up with new ideas to improve their business, and want to be part of a community of entrepreneurs who are always looking to learn and grow, then Mendoza suggests participating in one of Centro’s entrepreneurship programs. 

If you happen to find yourself in Stockton, be sure to check out Carnicería el Toro is located at 1005 W Acacia Street. You can follow along with Elidia and her husband’s delicious creations on their Facebook page.

Meet Wanda Blake, Founder of Wanda's Cooking

Wanda Blake’s cooking apprenticeship started in her mother’s kitchen and continued in the kitchens of great aunts, aunties, grandmas, and cousins. In 1981, Wanda attended City College of San Francisco to study hotel and restaurant management. In 2015, she launched Wanda’s Cooking as a pop-up restaurant event in Oakland and San Francisco, California. The reason? She is passionate about providing for her community through food and culture. Wanda’s pop-up events provided a food service experience that gathered people around a family memory or a new food experience. Wanda’s Cooking first Popup “Sunday Supper”, was in memory of Sunday dinners at grandma’s house. Wanda’s Cooking is a family of food passionate Chefs and friends who have touched people in the Bay Area and beyond. It is the result of hard work, dedication to others, and perseverance. “I launched Wanda’s Cooking because it gives me the opportunity to express my culture through food” said Wanda “as well as being able to provide jobs to my own community.”

In 2018, Wanda recognized her business needed a better foundation in order to be able to, eventually, scale it. Wanda started Centro’s Basic Entrepreneurship Program in April 2019 and learned how to establish the business’ foundational needs (mission, vision, marketing plan). “Centro provides entrepreneurs with the basic tools in a unique way that is easy to complete a business plan,” said Wanda “Centro’s Business Planning App guided me through every step that my business needed in order to scale it.” Wanda was further supported by Centro’s trainers throughout each class, and by her advisor outside of class. 

Throughout Centro’s Basic Entrepreneurship Program, Wanda identified her target market, established a mission, vision, marketing plan, and projected potential earnings. Six months after graduating from Centro, Wanda’s Cooking has launched a pantry on her website to sell ‘Pepper Chowchow’ – a traditional Southern condiment made from Sweet and Hot seasonal peppers. Pepper Chowchow has been shipped as far south as Tasmania, Australia and as far north as Juno, Alaska.

Today, Wanda feels empowered with how her business is performing. “It is growing at a steady pace that allows me to keep learning from other entrepreneurs, my community and my own mistakes” said Wanda. “Having established my business plan clearly has left me with a peace of mind, I did not have before.”

Within the next year, Wanda hopes to scale her business by having her products tested and approved for retail shelf storage throughout the state, and potentially the nation. As a result, she plans on securing a retail space to produce, manufacture and sell her products in one place. “Thanks to Centro, I am aware that in order to grow as an entrepreneur, I have to stay open to feedback and constructive criticism, one never stops learning”. 

Join Wanda Blake in her food journey, as she travels and explores all the flavors of food. When you follow Wanda’s Cooking on social media, you join in her excitement of recipe development, travel and what she sees happening in the Bay Area food arena.

Visit Wanda’s Cooking website to learn more about her business and take a moment to watch this video where Wanda opens up about her entrepreneurial journey!

Señorita Vegerita, Feeding with Love, Passion and Culture

As a young girl, Claudia Rivas remembers helping her grandmother make fresh tortillas at home. Her grandma would wake up early everyday to make them for the family to enjoy fresh every morning and for her grandfather to sell in the streets of Mexico. Today, Claudia continues to make fresh tortillas and opened Señorita Vegerita in Oakland, CA to share Mexico’s rich food heritage. 

There’s guacamole, corn and quinoa enchiladas, sweet and spicy mole negro, soyrizo and tempe tacos, among many other delicious food that Señorita Vegerita cooks for her clients. Claudia has been a vegetarian for 15 years and is passionate about bringing awareness to the negative environmental impact that meat and meat production has on our planet. She also loves to cook traditional Mexican dishes with a health conscious flair that feeds and nourishes her clients’ soul with love, passion and CULTURE.

In 2018, Claudia needed better direction in how to continue to grow her small business. Claudia started Centro’s Basic Entrepreneurship Program and improved her understanding of operational processes, accounting, marketing and customer acquisition. Centro’s unique Business Planning App assisted her in building the foundation her business had been lacking. Claudia collaborated with her fellow classmates and developed her business plan and presentation deck. As the program progressed, Claudia was also able to identify her business’s strengths and weaknesses. 

The combination between Claudia’s passion for food and her culture, and her learned knowledge from Centro’s program has launched her to become the successful entrepreneur she is today. Claudia has hired 3 part-time employees to work at Señorita Vegerita since her graduation and continues to strive for new goals. Within the next year, Claudia hopes to scale her business to the next level by participating at Oakland’s Farmer’s Market & 3 other Oakland festivals.

Join us in congratulating Claudia Rivas, one of many Centro’s stars. Follow @SenoritaVegeritas next steps and keep an eye out for her at the next Oakland Farmers Market. To learn more about Señorita Vegerita, click below. 

Meet Latisha Baker, Founder of Latisha Baker Artworks

Latisha Baker is not your average person. Latisha is an ambitious artist who taught herself a primitive technique called pyrography to create high quality handmade jewelry and accessories. She uses a variety of recycled and purchased wood, including birch, cherry and walnut to create pyrographic designs and artwork. After 20 years of making jewelry at home as a simple hobby, Latisha decided to launch Latisha Baker Artworks in Oakland, California in 2017. 

While you can never understate the value of Latisha’s hard work, much of her success stems from the ongoing experiments and experience ventures that she undertakes to create new ways to grow and sustainably expand her artistry and business. As an entrepreneur, Latisha’s passion is to create the life she wants and build her business on her own terms. In 2018, Latisha knew she needed to fully understand and learn how to run a business successfully. 

As a participant of Centro’s Advanced Entrepreneurship Program, Latisha stepped outside of her world of artistry to learn more in depth about business. During the program, Latisha analyzed each aspect of her business and developed a fundable business plan, created a budget and income statement, and accessed her creditworthiness to apply for a business loan. After figuring out how she could earn a living wage through her business, Latisha quit her job to pursue her passion for artistry full-time. “I wouldn’t have been able to quit my job without Centro’s business program,” said Latisha “my business is now growing steadily, and I have doubled my revenue this year, giving me the peace of mind that I am doing something right.”

Latisha worked one-on-one with Centro’s business trainers giving her personalized advice and training. “Centro’s business coaches are passionate about helping others become successful entrepreneurs. They made sure I fully understood every business practice being taught.” This included learning developing financial projections, creating a strong marketing strategy and developing her sales skills. Latisha Baker Artworks launched a new website this year and sells at every public event she can in Oakland. Latisha has started to spread her brand throughout the city and hopes to start exhibiting her art in local galleries soon. 

“Every entrepreneur has the fear of failure. However, you’re already failing yourself if you don’t step out of your comfort zone, and get educated to close your knowledge gap,” says Latisha “Centro pushed me to be bolder and bigger.”

If you want to learn about her entrepreneurial journey and business, make sure to watch this video below!

Please join us in supporting Latisha Baker by following her business on Facebook, and Instagram. Check out Latisha Baker Artwork website.

Meet Rosa Guerrero, Co-Founder of California Vegan Food Company

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Rosa Guerrero Contreras had a dream of launching her own plant-based food business for the last five years. What started as a hobby soon became a passion, but Guerrero wasn’t quite sure of how to convert that passion into a business. Last spring, Guerrero joined Centro’s Basic Entrepreneurship Program to launch California Vegan Food Company (CVFC). CVFC’s mission is to satisfy the needs of their customers while contributing to a more sustainable planet. They do this by keeping the familiarity of the foods Latin@s grow up with.

In 2018, Guerrero found herself unclear of exactly how to build the foundational pieces of her business. “Before Centro, my business was just a concept,” Guerrero said. “I needed to put my ideas into action and Centro empowered me to do so.” As she participated in Centro’s program, Guerrero evaluated every part of her business, from its mission and vision to its marketing strategy and finances. She also created her business plan, using Centro’s Business Planning App. The program provided Guerrero with access to local entrepreneurs that also serve as mentors. 

Since completing the program, her company, has begun manufacturing two products, launched its first line of vegan protein creations, and received a $10,000 interest-free loan from Kiva. She used the loan to expand to pop-up and community events, and will soon have a presence at her local farmer’s market in San Jose. Guerrero credits Centro with empowering her to get to the next level as an entrepreneur. “Our advancement as a business since finishing Centro’s entrepreneurship program gave me and my co-founder affirmation that we have been doing something right, something good,” Guerrero said. “I look forward to further growing California Vegan Food Company this upcoming year.”

Today, Guerrero continues to communicate with her Centro trainers who have helped her through the everyday challenges entrepreneurs face. She currently still working full-time outside of CVFC to pay the bills and dedicates herself to planting the seeds that will allow CVFC to grow. Guerrero empowers herself and her community as a result of her passion for plant-based products. “I believe that business is one of the best ways to create lasting positive change in this world,” she says. “For future entrepreneurs, patience will be your best teacher throughout your journey, however let your passion be your guide.”

Over the next year, CVFC hopes to acquire a van to facilitate their logistics and storage. CVFC will also continue to expand the variety of products they offer. Join us in congratulating San Jose’s rising star, Rosa Guerrero Contreras!

To support Rosa and California Vegan Food Company click below:

• www.californiaveganfoodcompany.com

• Facebook for @ca.veganfood.co

• Instagram for @ca.veganfood.co

Ancestral Weaving

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Meet Cinthya Flores, Owner of Utz Threads

Successful startup founders are often hailed as superhuman, the reality is they are regular people like you and us. Meet Cinthya Flores, a proud Bay Area entrepreneur. She is the successful owner of Utz Threads in Oakland, CA. Utz Threads is named after the word good in Maya Quiché; the language spoken by the women weavers that create their product in Chichicastenango, Guatemala. Being a textile brand that's inspired by the lively colors and cultural markers of the indigenous Quiché people, Cinthya strives to connect the ancestral weaving practices to this living culture. 

Cinthya is an entrepreneur driven by her passion to help Guatemalan women gain financial independence. Through her business, she has been able to create a space empowering women to tell their own stories. When you purchase from Utz Threads you are gaining an opportunity to learn the elements of everyday life in Guatemala. In return, you support the continuation of an ancestral tradition.

Cinthya joined Centro’s entrepreneurship program because she was seeking clarity on how to successfully grow her business and continue to support her Guatemalan partners. The infinite amount of possibilities was overwhelming, and her lack of accounting knowledge was intimidating. Cinthya needed direction and mentorship. 

In Centro’s Advanced Entrepreneurship Program, Cinthya worked one-on-one with her MBA Advisor, collaborated with her fellow classmates and developed her business plan and presentation deck. As the program progressed, Cinthya was able to identify her business’s strengths and weaknesses. As a result, she was able to focus on the areas where she lacked knowledge and became a stronger entrepreneur. Centro’s unique Business Planning App assisted her in building the foundation her business had been lacking. Throughout the 14-week program, the Centro team saw her evolve into the successful entrepreneur she is today. 

Today, Cinthya has expanded her reach with more Guatemalan women/partners, has established a wholesale order and is placed in a few shops throughout Oakland. She is expected to triple her earnings next year and be placed in more stores throughout the state. Through local and national partnerships, Cinthya hopes to expand her brand recognition. Join us in congratulating Oakland’s own superhuman, Cinthya Flores.

Learn more about Cinthya and Utz Threads

A New Authentic Arab Bakery in Oakland: Kickstarter Campaign

Reem Assil is a recent alumn of our Entrepreneur Readiness Program and she is the real deal when it comes to Arab street food. She hella loves her homeland and we love her back for sharing it with us in the Bay Area.

Up until now, Reem's has been catering and serving at farmer's markets, but she is now ready to open up her dream brick-and-mortar Arab bakery, right here, in Oakland!

“We are creating a restaurant and home to connect people across cultures & generations through the warmth of Arab bread and hospitality”

— Reem Assil

Please Support Reem's Kickstarter Campaign

Reem's combines the distinctive flavors, aromas, and techniques of the modern Arab street corner bakery with the freshness of California cuisine, made with love!

Reem is also a finalist at the Open for Business contest by OpenTable, so she must out-fund her fellow finalists and secure a minimum of $35,000 in order to receive an additional $15,000 from OpenTable. 

With as little as $10, $25 or $50, we can help her get there and bring a space of connection and Arab food to town!

Supporting a 50-year Family Tradition: Food with Integrity and Love

Nellie and her father, Chris Stokeld.

We're extremely excited to rally support for Nellie Stokeld from The Pie Shop. Her family has produced handcrafted, savory British pub fare and tea-themed treats in Oakland, Ca for decades. A couple of years ago, Nellie completed Centro's advanced entrepreneurship training program and she is now carrying the tradition of the Stokeld family business with great craft and pride. 

Please help us support Nellie by lending her $25 or more through Kiva.org.

The Stokeld's at a 2013 pop-up in Oakland, CA.

The Pie Shop | Authentic British Pies, Pasties, Teas & Treats

The Pie Shop is a second generation offering from the Stokeld family beginning with Chris Stokeld, an immigrant hailing from North Yorkshire in England. Fifty years later, the emphasis of our shop is still on whole food, made with integrity and served with love.

Purpose of the loan: To hire a new employee, purchase new equipment, and improve online retail services.

***Current status: loan fully funded.

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WANT A LOAN TO LAUNCH OR GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS?

If you’d like to start or grow a small business with a free loan, download Centro's Business Planning App on your phone. Once all the activities in the app are completed, request Centro's endorsement for a Kiva loan right there on the app.

We are Kiva's top 10 Trustee for 2015 and we'd love to help you!

New Pilates Studio Launched by Centro Entrepreneur, Ayanna Makalani

We’re excited to share the official opening of HEAL Pilates Studio, a brand new pilates studio in Albany, California led by Ayanna Makalani, a young and very talented Centro entrepreneur who started her journey with us by simply downloading our Business Planning App in the summer of 2014!

“I heard about Centro from a dear friend that was an MBA advisor for the Entrepreneurship Readiness Program. Centro helped me gain confidence, vision, and prepare a workable business plan. They connected me with many great resources that helped me in securing my space and opening my doors. Now that my business is open, I feel empowered, and look forward to a future with financial stability.”

— Ayanna Makalani

Ayanna joined Centro's advanced training for small business entrepreneurs in the fall of 2015. Shortly after, she applied and received a loan from Working Solutions, and in June 2015, she was also funding a $10,000 loan on Kiva Zip with Centro as her community trustee! Five months later, her pilates studio became a reality.

More about HEAL Pilates Studio

HEAL Pilates Studio offers reformer classes for small groups of up to four people and specialized private instruction where quality of movement is valued over quantity of repetitions. Our services are therapeutic, accessible, and tailored to the needs of the individual client.

We believe that the key to our success is focusing on personal improvement, client trust, appreciation, and creating a community that is accepting and empowering.

• Website: http://healpilates.com

• Address: 1053 Solano Ave., Albany, CA 94706

• Phone number: (510) 679-5055

• Yelp page: http://yelp.com/biz/heal-pilates-albany

 

Call today and take advantage of their intro special:

3 private sessions for $180!

More About Ayanna

Ayanna is a passionate, form-based instructor that treats her classes like workshops. She believes that there is always something new and deeper that one can discover from their Pilates practice, and it's this type of training that creates body awareness, heals, and yields results

Ayanna holds a B.A. in Theater from UCLA, and is a certified instructor on Mat and Apparatus through BASI-Body Arts and Science International. Along with knee and hip rehabilitation, she also specializes in fitness and full-body toning.

Say Goodbye to the Monday Blues

“If I do my job right, everyone will love going to work on Monday!” says Madelyn Mackie, a Centro entrepreneur and owner of Madelyn Mackie & Associates, a career and professional development training and coaching company. She trains clients on vital career skills and presents motivational keynotes at associations and conferences around the country.

After three successful careers spanning the chemistry lab, a national nonprofit, and Tony Award® winning theaters, Madelyn formally launched Madelyn Mackie & Associates in 2011. As a successful business woman and born leader driven by compassion, she found that her business was a natural fit for her abilities and interests.

And, as someone with incredible self-motivation, she wanted to push her business to the next level. She found it through Centro’s Entrepreneur Readiness Program: “My advisors pushed me and asked the hard questions. But they also supported me every step of the way.”

The ERP provided a way for Madelyn to reflect, analyze, and focus on developing a strong foundation for her business. “Centro took me from concept to implementation so that I can provide the best service to my clients,” she says.

Madelyn’s business has been open for three years. She has helped clients secure positions with Fortune 500 companies, reputable tech firms, health care agencies, and nonprofit organizations all over the country.

She tells us, “Every single day, I am making a difference in my community – helping people take care of themselves, their families and their future.”

Russian Baker Cooks Up Big Dreams in San Francisco

Before coming to California, Anna Tvelova would stare at the map on the wall of her bedroom in Russia and daydream of big cities with more opportunities. Driven by these ambitions, Anna came to San Francisco with $1,000 in her pocket. She spent the first several months here learning English, but it wasn’t long before Anna began galvanizing her dreams of serving her homemade piroshki to every San Francisco neighborhood.

Getting Anna’s Dreams Off the Ground

“When I first started, I did not know what I was doing, I felt a little (or a lot) lost, but super committed,” Anna told Centro. Although we hear many entrepreneurs say this, we have discovered that they just need some guidance. Helping the entrepreneurs successfully put their ideas into action is the mission of Centro and its MBA Advisors.

After meeting Anna at a La Cocina workshop in 2011, we invited her to join Centro’s Centro’s Entrepreneurship Readiness Program. She was paired with her MBA advisor, Mariya Lyublina, and the match proved to be lasting. Anna recently told us, “My MBA Advisor is a really amazing person. It’s been a really wonderful experience to work with her and she still helps me a lot.”

Anna Receives Largest Kiva Zip Loan Ever

With the support of Centro’s program and her MBA Advisor, Anna created a working business model for her first AйDa Piroshki kiosk in Bernal Heights and developed a model to evaluate possible locations for future growth. With Centro’s endorsement, she also received a $5,000 interest-free loan from Kiva Zip to purchase a car to help her piroshki catering business grow. Since her start in 2011, Anna has hired 5 part-time employees and will hire more as she continues to grow.

After successfully paying her first loan back on time, Anna launched another Kiva Zip loan for $25,000 (their largest ever) to open a second kiosk location. The new AйDa Piroshki opened early last month in Second Act on Haight Street and offers the same delicious, fresh-baked menu as the Bernal Heights location.

San Francisco Falls in Love with AйDa Piroshki

San Francisco’s media and blogs are abuzz with raving reviews for AйDa Piroshki. One Yelper even said that he “…traveled 100 miles round-trip to try these piroshkis based on Yelp reviews and it was worth it!”

The Bernal Heights kiosk’s revenue has doubled since last year and the Haight Street location’s revenue is already comparable. As for more locations, Anna would like to open her third AйDa Piroshki on the Embarcadero.

Watching AйDa Piroshki grow, develop loyal customers and provide local jobs has been a joy to Centro and an inspiration to budding entrepreneurs. Anna continues to impress us with her personal and professional growth, and we are excited to remain close to her as she continues to make her dream of bringing piroshki to every San Francisco neighborhood a reality.

Go to AйDa Piroshki’s website
Visit AйDa Piroshki in Bernal Heights (331 Cortland Avenue, SF) or in the Haight (1727 Haight Street, SF).

Living Every Kid’s Dream

Luis Abundis, San Francisco/Oakland, Nieves Cinco de Mayo

Like most of us, Luis loved ice cream as a child. However, unlike most of us, starting at 8 years old, Luis began making his very own ice cream with his uncle on their ranch in San Juan de Monte, Mexico. When Luis immigrated to Oakland at the age of 24, he worked hard and went to school to learn English, but that 8-year-old was never far from his mind. He bought what he needed for an ice cream cart, and on May 5th, 1991, he started selling ice cream for the first time at a Cinco de Mayo festival.

Luis sold ice cream from a cart for several years, then through a pizza restaurant, and even operated that Pied Piper of childhood- an ice cream truck complete with a bell to announce his arrival to eagerly awaiting children. More than 15 years after that ice-cream cart, he opened his first store location in Oakland’s Fruitvale Market, and named it in honor of that first day selling with his cart – Nieves Cinco de Mayo.

Ambitious, self-made, and with a sweet ice cream following, Luis sought out Centro in 2011 to help take his business to the next level. Centro’s unique structure pairs each entrepreneur with a dedicated MBA Advisor, creating an exciting learning dynamic and a mentorship relationship that often lasts well beyond the program. Once Luis joined Centro’s Business Growth Program, he took weekly classes for four months and gained valuable advice from his MBA Advisor, Christine Kwong. Luis learned how to control inventory, capitalize on internet marketing, and with Centro’s help developed a business plan that mapped out a strategy for the future.

Armed with the skills he learned from Centro’s core curriculum and a plan to grow his business, Luis was able to open a second location on Mission Street in San Francisco. His nephew and brother help him there, and he has expanded his flavor selection from just lemon and vanilla when he had his cart, to more than 30 flavors of ice cream and shaved ice snow cones that he changes seasonally. His favorite flavor, lime, is always on the menu. Flavors like rose petal, hibiscus, guava and cactus fruit, along with traditional favorites, are among many to try. And we have!

Luis has been able to realize a childhood dream of operating his own ice cream business, and, with Centro’s help, he has added a new location, created jobs for his family, and is confident in his businesses’ future. You can indulge your sweet tooth, and your inner 8-year-old, at Luis’ Nieves Cinco de Mayo locations at Oakland’s Fruitvale Public Market (3340 E 12th St, Ste 2), or on Mission Street in San Francisco (2590 Mission Street).

Taco Grill … Healthy, Tasty, Organic Mexican Food

Leticia Chavez, Fruitvale, Taco Grill

Taco Grill, located less than a block away from the Fruitvale Bart Station in the Fruitvale Public Market, is owned by Leticia Chavez, a highly motivated mother of three. Leticia began learning about the restaurant business as a teenager at her fatherʼs eatery, Helenaʼs, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. By nineteen she was running the entire restaurant. Raised with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic, upon moving to Oakland, California, Leticia opened her own skincare business which is now owned and operated by her sister.

For her second business, Leticia decided to return to her roots in the restaurant world, and in 2007 she opened Taco Grill. Her mission was to serve flavorful healthy Mexican food. Taco Grill proudly utilizes organic meat products from Niman Ranch and Rocky Free Range Chickens as well as many other organic ingredients to prepare their food. In doing so, Leticia hopes to show people that Latin food can be healthy and tasty too. Itʼs working. Her customers rave about her delicious tacos, burritos, and pozole.

In 2011, the Unity Council, which runs a small business incubator providing affordable space for Taco Grill and other small businesses in the Public Market brought in Centro Community Partners to teach and advise its business owners. Leticia was paired with MBA advisor and professional coach Jennifer Lin, who helped Leticia create a growth strategy and leadership development plan for her business. She then strategized with Leticia about her profit margins, avenues for promotion of Taco Grill, and ways to raise employee morale. Jennifer also offered Leticia support and guidance with her vision for expanding Taco Grill into the catering sector which has increased profits for the business.

Leticia is not only grateful for the strategic advice she received from Centro, but also for the emotional support. From Centro she learned about self-care through understanding leadership behavior, attitude, and performance- very important elements needed to operate her business successfully. She began to delegate more responsibility and created a manager position for one of her employees. This allowed herself to have short “descansos” (rests). Centroʼs support has really helped her to maintain faith and confidence in her business.

Leticia and Arturo at the 2012 Indie Awards

Before she worked with Centro Community Partners, Leticia was struggling with making the rent for Taco Grill each month, low credit, and low morale. With Centro’s advising and help, she has been able to make her rent, increase her profits, and her morale. She is proud that she can continue to offer her clientele delicious healthy Mexican food at a reasonable price, and they have rewarded her for her efforts. In 2012, she won the Indie Award in the Ripple Effect category where her customers voted her one of the best local businesses in Oakland out of 200 nominees.

Stop by Taco Grill today and try it for yourself! Make sure to ask about catering options.

Largest Kiva Zip Loan Ever: AйDa Piroshki Will Soon Open in Haight-Ashbury

We first met Anna at a workshop held by La Cocina and were taken by her amazing energy and, eventually, her delicious piroshki. We invited her to join Centro’s Entrepreneurship Readiness Program and have been truly impressed with her professional growth.

Her goal is to one day bring her piroshkis to all the neighborhoods of San Francisco, and she is well on her way. Anna opened her first AйDa Piroshki kiosk in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood in 2011. After Centro’s program, she received a Kiva Zip loan for $5,000 to help her purchase a vehicle to expand her catering business. Seeing AйDa Piroshki grow, develop loyal customers, and have happy employees has been a joy to Centro’s team and an inspiration to budding entrepreneurs.

With a deeper understanding of management, over the last year, Anna has been able to prove that her vision can become a reality. She has now refined her processes to a point where AйDa Piroshki can exist in multiple locations and be well run.

AйDa Piroshki’s Expansion and $25,000 Kiva Zip Loan

Anna is now expanding her business and opening a kiosk station in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco. Today, She has just launched her second Kiva Zip loan – for $25,000 – to help with the opening of her second location. In partnership, La Cocina and Centro are endorsing Anna for this loan. La Cocina is an organization that helps cultivate low-income food entrepreneurs as they formalize and grow their businesses by providing the resources and support they need. Anna first enrolled in La Cocina’s program in 2010 and then continued on with Centro’s program in 2011. She has continuously worked closely with both organizations throughout the launch and growth of her business.

Our Joint Endorsement with La Cocina

Anna has a wonderful working relationship with both organizations. Along with opening her second location, the loan will allow her to hire additional employees. She was on time with all of her monthly repayments with her previous Kiva Zip loan and was great at communicating with her lenders.

After working with Anna for the last two years, we can attest to the quality of her food, passion, and work ethic. La Cocina and Centro fully endorse Anna for this Kiva Zip loan. We can’t wait to see Anna bring her tasty piroshkis to all the neighborhoods of San Francisco.

If you are in the City, stop by AйDa Piroshki and have a piroshki and meet Anna!

See Anna’s profile on Kiva Zip and support her with a loan of $25* or more >>
* Any amount you lend her by June 21st – using the link above – will be multiplied by 3!

Kiva Zip

Kiva Zip loans allow entrepreneurs to access capital through crowdsourcing at 0% interest. To learn more about Kiva and Kiva Zip loans, please visit: zip.kiva.org

Update 6/21/13:

After just two weeks, we have already reached over 50% of Anna’s Kiva Zip loan. It’s wonderful to see such an active and giving community, and the conversation between Anna and her lenders has been great to follow.

Update 7/17/13:

Anna’s $25,000 Kiva Zip loan has been funded! Roughly 500 people have lent to Anna from the joint communities of Kiva, La Cocina and Centro, not to mention all of her loyal supporters. We’re looking forward to Anna’s Haight Street opening soon!

Update 2/19/14:

AйDa Piroshki’s second location is now up and running at Second Act!
Stop by and pick-up a delicious piroshki if you’re in the neighborhood:

• 1727 Haight Street (between Shrader Street and Cole Street)

Join us and participate in Anna’s loan today!

Neo Cocoa Truffles Are No Trifle

Christine Doerr, Sunnyvale, Neo Cocoa

Christine began in the chocolate industry at “Cocolat,” a small chocolate shop located near Stanford University, which inspired her to attend the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. After working as a pastry chef for several years, she decided to explore a BFA in graphic design at San Jose State University, after which she ultimately circled back to her original chocolate making obsession.

Christine returned to chocolate with a new vision to start her own business, Neo Cocoa, and turned to La Cocina’s entrepreneur training program for professional guidance. Having learned basic business management skills at La Cocina, she turned to Centro for its advanced business development classes and the unique, hands-on mentoring she could receive from her own Centro MBA Advisor, Carly Perera. Christine and Carly worked together to find innovative strategies to help Neo Cocoa thrive and developed a strong bond and long-lasting friendship. Centro also helped Christine secure a business development loan from OBDC Small Business Finance to help launch and develop her new business.

After a great deal of hard work buttressed by the unique training, mentoring, and support that Centro provided, Neo Cocoa has clearly arrived. Neo Cocoa has revolutionized the American style of truffle by bringing back the European trend of shell-less truffles, with an uncompromising mission of using only high-quality, local ingredients. This dedication to her local community, and her exquisite chocolates, have made Neo Cocoa a Bay Area phenomenon that is poised to expand even further.

Christine’s sweet success has been praised in the San Francisco Chronicle, 7×7 Magazine, and Dessert Professional – which named Neo Cocoa one of the “Top Ten Chocolatiers in North America.” Neo Cocoa also recently won top awards at the 2012 SF International Chocolate Salon, such as “Best Truffle”, “Most Luxurious Chocolate Experience”, and “Most Likely Addiction”. With degrees in both design and culinary arts, it is no wonder that Christine describes herself as an artist with chocolate as her medium.

Skincare by Feleciai… Celebrate the Art of Bathing

Update 3/25/13:

New Packaging for Eucalyptus Peppermint Soap from Skincare by Feleciai

We are very proud of Feleciai for paying off her Kiva Zip loan!

Feleciai was able to do exactly what she expected to do with the money – buy ingredients to make more soap, introduce beautiful new labels, pre-pay for high-end trade shows and craft fairs, and pay for professional photographs of her products. She was able to increase her revenues by both maximizing the visibility of her products and increasing the durability of her inventory, since the soaps last longer when professionally wrapped.

This year she plans to hire someone to help her with packaging so that she can fully focus on marketing, create new private-label items, fine tune her product line, and eventually move to a larger location. She’s considering taking out another Kiva Zip loan or trying out a crowdfunding site, like Indiegogo to help with the next stage of her growth.

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Update 5/1/12:

Feleciai just received an interest-free loan through Kiva Zip! The loan will help fund her website, take professional product pictures, upgrade her packaging and prepay five big festivals.

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Skincare by Feleciai is a luxurious handmade skincare line based out of Oakland, CA and owned and operated by Feleciai Favroth. Feleciai, a Bay Area Native, attended Cornell as an undergraduate and received her MBA from the University of Pennsylvania. After spending time in the trenches of Corporate America and then working as a realtor, Feleciai decided to follow her passion and pursue a career in the beauty industry. She went to the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center to begin to conceptualize her business and then to Centro Community Partners, where she had a new support system and developed her business plan and financial projections. Feeling driven to provide a product and not a service, Feleciai envisioned a company dedicated to producing only the finest handmade products that were gentle on the skin and the environment. From that inspiration, Skincare by Feleciai was created.

Today Feleciai continues her mission to celebrate diversity and beauty with her fabulous line of products for both men and women. Her line features a variety of soaps and shea butter creams made from all-natural ingredients such as olive oil, essential oils and cocoa butter. She is proud of her product and feels truly successful when customers approach her to share their love of the overall experience they’ve had with her soaps and creams. Such praise is overheard frequently when Feleciai is out selling her line at local markets.

Feleciai participated in Centro’s Entrepreneurship Readiness Program in 2010 where she began to develop her business plan and used the program to access a loan. Skincare by Feleciai has nearly tripled in revenue since 2010 and continues to grow. To learn more about her products, visit http://skincarebyfeleciai.com, follow Skincare by Feleciai on Facebook or stop by the Old Oakland Farmer’s Market (at the corner of Washington and 9th Streets) on Fridays to meet her in person!

Foodies at the Fruitvale Public Market

It has been a busy summer at Centro! We are currently working with the entrepreneurs at the Fruitvale Public Market in Oakland in our Business Growth Program. MBA Advisors have been working closely with the Fruitvale entrepreneurs to help grow and revitalize their businesses. We have also discovered some amazing foodie finds at the Public Market.

Stop by and try some of Leticia’s famous pozole and authentic home-style cooking at the Taco Grill. For dessert, there are plenty of options including traditional and unique ice cream flavors at Nieves Cinco de Mayo (our favorite is avocado!) Cold outside? Warm up with a churro hot caramel filled from Churros Mexicanos or a slice of famous tres leches cake from Bakery Del Sol.

PieTisserie: A Unique Take on Classic Dessert Pies

Jaynelle St. Jean was raised in a family of three women in the Sunset District of San Francisco.  She graduated from the top of her class from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism.  After living and working in New York and Hawaii, Jaynelle returned to the Bay Area and began her life as an entrepreneur.  On Valentine’s Day 2010, Jaynelle staged her mother’s apartment as a country window with pies set out to cool and served her neighbors on ceramic dishes in order to create a sense of community.  Soon, neighbors began to recognize her as the “pie lady.”  After this experience, Jaynelle knew that her future was in the pie business and she is now the owner of PieTisserie, a catering and retail business.

Jaynelle explains, “I will feel successful when my real life mimics elements of the lifestyle PieTisserie depicts – one in which my own financial needs are met and I share with others; one in which work and life complement one another, such that I have time and vitality to labor over food for family, friends and neighbors; and one in which I contribute to a community where trust is the norm and interdependency is safe.  The reason my business thrills me is because it allows me to experience these feelings, while I work on making my desired state a reality.”

Jaynelle participated in Centro’s second cohort, where she worked with MBA Advisors to further develop her business plan, capture her production costs, and create marketing and growth strategies. She has a devoted following who absolutely LOVE her pies!  To learn more about Jaynelle and her unique take on pies, see PieTisserie on Facebook.