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 API Small Business Collaborative (API SBC) 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.”

Geneva’s Story

Geneva Chen was inspired to own Portola Pharmacy by her passion for personalized, community-centered healthcare. Recognizing the pharmacy’s longstanding role in El Sereno, she saw an opportunity to preserve its legacy while expanding services like custom compounding. Her mission is to provide compassionate, culturally sensitive care to underserved, multicultural communities. For instance, after noticing a high number of diabetes patients in the area, she launched a free diabetes education program to support their health needs.

“Running Portola Pharmacy is about more than just prescriptions—it’s about trust, tradition, and caring for every patient like family. I’m proud to continue a legacy that’s nearly 80 years old while innovating with custom compounding and health education. We’re here for the community, always.” — Geneva Chen, Owner & Pharmacist.

CSC-API Small Business Collaborative (CSC API SBC) provided critical support to Portola Pharmacy in overcoming the complex and time-consuming process of applying for a business loan. CSC API SBC Business Counselor assisted in preparing and refining key application documents, including the business plan and financial projections, which significantly contributed to the loan's successful approval. Additionally, CSC API SBC guided the owner through the application process for the Los Angeles City Legacy Business Registry. With this support, the owner crafted compelling documentation that highlighted the pharmacy's longstanding community impact and cultural significance. With support from CSC API SBC, Portola Pharmacy successfully secured a $1.57 million loan. This funding enabled the business to hire an additional staff member and relocate to a new, more accessible location to serve the community better.

Additionally, with CSC API SBC ‘s guidance, the pharmacy earned recognition as a Legacy Business of Los Angeles. This designation has enhanced the pharmacy’s credibility and opened new funding opportunities, supporting future facility improvements and expanded community outreach programs. As a result, Portola Pharmacy has experienced increased engagement with the local residents, particularly in services such as immunizations and health screenings, marking a positive trajectory in both visibility and service delivery.

“The most valuable aspect of the technical assistance was the one-on-one consultation support. These personalized sessions helped Geneva Chen clearly articulate Portola Pharmacy’s historical significance, community impact, and technical strengths. The tailored guidance made complex processes—such as applying for a business loan and the Los Angeles Legacy Business designation—far more manageable. By alleviating the stress of paperwork and strategy, the consultations allowed her to focus on what mattered most: sharing the pharmacy’s story and continuing to provide trusted, compassionate care to the community.”

Lisa & Makara’s Story

Meet Up Boba Teahouse & Cafe is a newly established cafe in Long Beach, specializing in a variety of delicious bubble tea drinks with different toppings, as well as other cafe beverages. The business is the brainchild of an entrepreneur who previously owned a Chinese food restaurant. The owners, Makara Nhem and Lisa Touch, were inspired to start their business by a passion for bringing people together through food and drinks. After successfully running a Chinese restaurant for years, they saw how much joy it brought to the community. When the pandemic changed everything, they decided to adapt by creating a warm, inviting space where people could connect over fun, refreshing tea and coffee drinks. Their goal was not just to sell drinks but to build a place where friends, families, and neighbors could "meet up" and share moments together.

When planning their new location, the biggest challenge was passing the City of Long Beach health inspection and understanding compliance requirements. Language barriers also added extra stress. UCC API SBC stepped in to provide Khmer translation support, guidance on the inspection process, and personalized consultations to ensure everything met city requirements. Thanks to UCC API SBC's technical assistance, Meetup Boba Tea House & Café successfully launched its second location within a year of opening its first. This expansion created additional jobs, boosted community visibility, and strengthened the brand's presence in Long Beach. On top of that, by partnering with Food Stop Media during Cambodian Restaurant Week, the business enhanced its social media marketing, increasing engagement and attracting new customers.

"Opening a second location was a big dream, and the support from the UCC-API Small Business Collaborative (UCC API SBC) helped make it possible. They supported me with health inspection requirements, Khmer translation, and guidance every step of the way. Without their help, it would have been much harder to navigate everything."