Tess’s Story

When the US economy was shut down in March due to COVID-19, Tess Mercado was furloughed from her job as a United Airlines flight attendant, a role she had served in for 14 years. A breast cancer survivor, she is no stranger to resilience. The present moment seemed as good a time as any to relaunch the business she had started 17 years prior – Nutridge Farms. By April 2020, Tess had registered the business as an LLC in California, launched a website, obtained a commercial kitchen space, received approval by the San Bernardino Health Department, and secured three wholesale customers. 

When it became clear in August that COVID-19 restrictions would be in place for at least several more months, Tess opted to take early retirement from United Airlines. The goal of scaling the business into a sustainable enterprise was now even more urgent. Through sheer determination and persistence, Tess continued to research and contact other specialty grocers in the Southern California region.  She took the time to make onsite visits if possible and sought to make as many buyer contacts within an organization as possible.  The quality and flavor of her nuts and pretzels impressed buyers, and in 5 short months, she gained 5 additional wholesale accounts. This growth in sales has allowed her to hire a part-time worker to help manage production, packaging, and online sales. 

Tess is currently focused on securing additional clients, producing inventory, and developing new recipes.  Each week she dedicates time to finding new customer leads, with a goal of signing at least one new wholesale customer a month.  

“Working with my API SBC counselor has truly been a Godsend.  Sharon Senko is not just my counselor but an invaluable partner.  I look forward to our standing weekly meetings to report my weekly progress and get her feedback.  She not only provides me with valuable information and resources on how to grow my business, but also provides encouragement and support that keeps me motivated and accountable.  I was very fortunate to be partnered with Sharon from the onset, and can attribute some of my success to her and the program in general.”

Maria’s Story

Maria Guadalupe Olague, a native of Sinaloa, Mexico, is the owner of Lupita's Market, a corner store she began operating in the Los Angeles Westlake neighborhood in 1993. As a single mother, Maria started the business to take care of her twins, Luz and Raul, while also becoming financially independent.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the corner store's primary clients were Gratts Elementary, Miguel Contreras High School, and Miramar Campus High School students. As schools were closed to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and staff, sales at the corner market decreased by 80%. As the business faced new challenges, Maria and her children sought assistance from the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program (API SBP) to learn about grant opportunities for her small business.

In January 2021, Maria Guadalupe and API SBC’s Business Counselor began working together in accessing working capital. In early April, with the help of her Business Counselor, Maria Guadalupe was able to receive three grants: California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, City of Los Angeles Council District 13: Emergency Small Business Grant Program, and the LISC Restart Capital Small Business Grant. The three grant was an immense help to operate her market.

While facing the uncertainty of pandemic challenges, Maria and her children found ways to give to their community. The Maria Guadalupe family formed partnerships with the Atwater Village Farmers Market and Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles to distribute grocery bags to families in need. In March 2021, she distributed over 150 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes for free to surrounding student families experiencing food insecurity and did the same for April.

“As a Spanish speaking business owner, it has been difficult to understand where to go, and how to apply to all these grant programs, but with the program’s assistance, the process has been easier and less intimidating, especially for a small humble business like my family’s.”