Success Stories
Minnie Bland, Touch of Soul Catering
Minnie Bland and her husband, Mitchell, have a passion for preparing and sharing food based on time-honored family and community recipes. Several years ago, they donated their prepared meals to their church’s fundraisers and were encouraged by others to start a catering business, especially since there were limited places to enjoy soul food on the California Central Coast. Michell’s professional experience in cooking and food preparation also contributed to their confidence in beginning this venture.
After securing the necessary licenses, Touch of Soul Catering began selling meals at local events and businesses as well as from their Microenterprise Home Kitchen (MEHKO). In 2022, Minnie and Mitchell were introduced to the Women’s Business Center in San Luis Obispo by Gabrielle Saunders, Program Coordinator. Minnie enrolled in and completed the Explore, Design & Launch course. Touch of Soul also applied for, and received, funds from the California Dream Grant. They will be utilizing the funds to expand their MEHKO kitchen and increase their production ability.
Lashawnda Scaccianoce, Delight Your Senses
Lashawnda Scaccianoce has been passionate about food and feeding people since she was young. In fact, she was only 11 years old when she had her first catering “job”. As a mother of 5 children, she has always been heavily involved in her community, serving on school PTOs and volunteering with various community-based organizations, including the Rotary and Children’s Services Network. In her previous career, she was a pre-school and substitute teacher.
Lashawnda started Delight Your Senses in 2020 after demand for her homemade specialty jams, jellies, spice blends and baked goods increased and she realized that she could sell her products at “pop-up” markets and vendor fairs as well as on Instagram and in local businesses. Her unique combinations of quality, locally sourced ingredients quickly found a fan base.
Clare Kennedy, Clare Kindness
SLO Women’s Business Center is home to all types of entrepreneurs from various industries and walks of life. Although each of them has their own stories to share, the biggest commonality that defines their success as an entrepreneur is their passion and desire to make an impact in our community and that’sexactly where Clare Kindness began.
Clare Kennedy, founder of Clare Kindness, is passionate about many things. She has worked for several different industries including retail, food and beverage, technology, and currently she is an Office Manager for Boeing. Throughout her career, Clare loved being the warm, welcoming, kind soul that helped guide people into her company culture and team. That was Clare’s “superpower” that she enjoyed sharing with her colleagues at Boeing.
Michelle Houston, Her Healthy Habits
Shifting the paradigm of ‘traditional fitness’ in American culture may seem like a daunting task, but not for Michelle Houston. With a degree in Philosophy and proactive involvement in female-empowerment, Michelle has a fiery passion to make an impact.
As the daughter of an entrepreneur, Michelle’s journey was not a straight line. She has worked in fitness, childcare, marketing and sales. Michelle rose to the top of the ladder in a position of leadership at a local pizza establishment, but something was missing. Michelle felt like she wasn’t making the impact she wanted. Ironically, although it was the perfect position for her, the products were the antithesis of her health and wellness philosophy.
This realization led her to reassess her life. She discovered her true passion for women’s health, being proactive and passionate about gender equity, and creating a healthy body image. Michelle’s career path led her to the head of her entrepreneurial journey.
Melisa Beveridge, Woollybear Travels
Melisa’s entrepreneurial journey has not taken the most linear path. She has always had a love for animals and art which translated into various degrees in art, biology, science illustration, and veterinary technology. Although in retrospect, this path seems linear now, it wasn’t until Melisa’s car accident that she realized the possibilities of merging both passions into a business.
For 10 years Melisa dreamed of traveling to animal sanctuaries all over the world to nurse orphaned animals and create artwork inspired by them. It was the impact of a semi-truck to her car that helped this dream surface because it was the last thought that ran through her mind as she believed it was the end.
Her dream quickly took priority as she felt she was just given a second chance. Having worked as a freelancer for companies like National Geographic and dabbling in business trades with sanctuaries in Costa Rica and Mexico, Melisa began doing research on other possible opportunities.
Kim Love, Bright Light Playschool
Kim Love is the founder of Bright Life Playschool, a school which promotes positive relationships between all children and adults to encourage a healthy self- image in each child and a sense of belonging to a greater community. Kim imagined a community that embraced differences through all five senses empowering children to grow their spirit, develop a healthy curiosity of the world, and build a compassionate understanding for others. This is the heart of Bright Life Playschool.
Kim grew up in Virginia witnessing prejudice firsthand. She quickly learned how easily the community’s fear shaped children from a very young age. The fear passed on from parent to child often translated into intolerance. One day when she was in middle school, Kim witnessed an injustice, in which her friend was harshly ridiculed for being of Chinese descent. This situation left Kim feeling helpless, unable to stop the hate or to protect her friend. As Kim matured, she used this and other injustices as inspiration to manifest her dream of Bright Life Playschool. Following the example of her mother, also a preschool director, she set her dream into motion.
Cosimo Allegretta
Most entrepreneurs would agree that being your own boss isn’t for the faint of heart. Being a small business in a corporate dominated economy can be terrifying leaving many small business owners wondering how they can survive or make a difference. Not Cosimo Allegretta. He is making big waves in the San Luis Obispo community. Cosimo has been on the frontlines of this pandemic, giving back to essential workers by offering his food delivery services free of charge, day and night, to more than 15 local hospitals. He is an outstanding small business, making a mighty impact. And the inspiration of his journey does not come from the launch of his business, but from the heart of it.
Cosimo is a passionate and caring spirit who brings a little touch of authentic Italian culture everywhere he goes. Growing up in Italy, at the age of seven, Cosimo was an intuitive and observative young boy that found inspiration in his mother’s hard work and dedication to her family. Watching her tirelessly care for three young boys and his dad, he wanted to help too. As she prepared homemade Italian dishes every day, on top of managing a cleaning business, Cosimo found the perfect opportunity to provide some relief to his mother. He pitched the idea of buying her a dishwasher and together they secured a bakery gig for him. Within a few short years he bought her dishwasher, and at the age of nine he was overseeing four other bakers to ensure that their baking was top notch.
Cosimo’s attention to detail, care for others, dedication and hard work ethic has translated into his career. After serving a few years in the military, Cosimo migrated to the U.S. to help his brother’s restaurant business, “Mama’s Meatballs”. As a chef Cosimo enjoyed bringing smiles to his customers’ faces with his exquisite, aromatic, fresh Italian dishes. After 20 years of being a chef, an opportunity sparked his interest. A former customer and acquaintance was seeking Cosimo’s well rounded talents to take over his business that was merging with the FoodJets franchise.
Carole Brown, Gold Coast Express Registration
Carole Brown is a true entrepreneurial spirit who has found opportunity, growth, and success in launching her new small business shortly after COVID-19 became a pandemic. Carole has been a go-getter from the start. Brought up by two entrepreneurial parents in Burbank, CA, Carole was certain that being ‘9-5er’ wasn’t her calling. Unsure of what she wanted to do so she started with what she was good at, dabbling in accounting and business administrative positions.
As a working mother Carole’s time and energy were being pulled in two different directions and what she desired most was to be a stay-at-home mother earning a supplemental income. It was at this pivotal moment in her life that her entrepreneurial journey began; her path became clear.
In 1997 Carole launched her first business Medical Billing for Mental Health Counselors and although she never really enjoyed accounting it served her and her family well. It wasn’t until recent years that she found her clients starting to fizzle out. With her kids all grown, she set her sights on buying a business with long-term viability. Not ready to retire and motivated to get moving, her son referred her to the SLO Women’s Business Center (WBC).
A.C. Williams, Access To Motion Dance Company
A.C. Williams, founder of Access to Motion Dance Company is a military wife and mother. Although she didn’t think of herself as an entrepreneur, she has been proving herself to be a successful mompreneur in the midst of a pandemic.
A.C. Williams is a lover of all things dance. She aspired to become a professional dancer, but as she explored her horizons, she found another love- teaching. A.C. Williams graduated from Clark Atlanta University with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. Her new focus was to become a teacher with a vision of eventually progressing to a Superintendent.
She spent five years as an elementary teacher in inner city schools in Compton, California and Savannah, Georgia. It was during this time she met her husband and became a working mother. Although she enjoyed being a 3rd and 4th grade teacher, she realized that the more time she spent teaching other children, the less energy and time she had for her own. This struggle of emotions brought about a new epiphany and ambition. At this pivotal moment in her life she began to think outside the box brainstorming ways she could become a working, military wife and mother, while enjoying her daughter’s daily growth and progress.
A.C. Williams’ ‘Ah ha!’ moment emerged when she stumbled across a Facebook post regarding an available position within the Vandenberg Air Force Base for a Youth Dance Instructor, an opportunity to share her passion for dancing with her daughter and other military families. Within three days of submitting a proposal, her entrepreneurial journey began!
Carla Blandon, Blandsi Boutique and Essence Beauty
Carla Blandon is the sole proprietor of Blandsi Boutique and Essence Beauty in Pismo Beach, California. Raised in Nicaragua and Costa Rica by parents who were business owners, Carla believes entrepreneurship is in her blood. Originally, her idea was to start a travel agency, but her inspirations changed as she learned more about entrepreneurship and how to create a business that would fit her style, creativity, and love of fashion.
Shortly after moving to California, Carla found Mission Community Services Corporation and the Women’s Business Center. Carla took the 11-week Empezando course to learn the steps to starting her own business. She attended training sessions that offered her everything from customer service, to accounting, to team-building, and networking. While working in the banking industry, Carla began working for MCSC as a consultant and instructor in evenings and weekends, helping other Hispanic individuals with their entrepreneurship dreams.
“After learning so much, and helping other people start their businesses through MCSC, I realized that I had all of the knowledge and experience I needed to follow my own dream of opening a beauty salon and then a boutique.” Since opening her doors Carla has built up a loyal base of customers that appreciate her unique, creative style. Carla
Liza Spiridon, Cali Strong Candles
During California’s recent wildfires, Registered Vet Technician Liza Spiridon was living on the Central Coast but knew people in the communities impacted. She decided that she needed to use her skills to help, so she got involved by donating her time helping animals to safety and assisting the people who had lost their homes and businesses.
Fast-forward three years, to when Liza found herself recovering from shoulder surgery. She used her “down time” to reflect on her life’s work and plan her next steps. One day, her husband asked when she was going to make her collection of wine bottles in the garage into candles, as she’d been planning. She had never made candles, but her creativity and curiosity made her want to give it a try. Through a series of inspired ideas and serendipitous events, Liza decided to start a business based on her desire to give assistance to the communities that she had made such a connection with after the fires. Liza taught herself how to make the candles, mix the scents, cut and sand bottles, and started outlining a plan for a company that centered around its core purpose: giving back.
Andrea Wasko & Meaghan Gilbert, Quick Pickle Kit
Andrea Wasko and Meaghan Gilbert of Los Osos, California launched their flagship product, the Quick Pickle Kit after starting their Woman-Owned Small Business Connoisseur Creations in 1996. The Quick Pickle Kit is a quick, simple, natural way to make delicious pickles in the comfort of your own home. Using 100-year-old family recipes, Andrea and Megan were able to create a healthy, low-sodium, low- calorie, hunger-satisfying and delicious snack. Connoisseur Creations values their local community by providing jobs to developmentally challenged adults and by donating 10% of its proceeds to nonprofit agencies.
Andrea first sought out help from MCSC Women’s Business center back in 2007. The WBC was able to assist Connoisseur Connections by helping them in settling into their new headquarters in the Central Coast and connecting them with proper production facilities.
For over 30 years now, Andrea Wasko and Meaghan Gilbert have been developing and launching new products. “We are grateful to the SBA and MCSC’s Women’s Business Center for their support of QuickPickleKit.com,” said Andrea Wasko and Meaghan Gilbert. “We are honored to be recognized as the SBA’s 2019 Small Business Persons of the Year and appreciate the opportunity to advocate for other women-owned businesses,”. With Andrea’s drive, leadership and consulting experience along with Meaghan’s innovation and new product development expertise, this dynamic duo was bound to be an entrepreneurial success.
Jessica Blanco, Central Coast Beauties
www.centralcoastbeauties.com
Meet Jessica Blanco, owner of Central Coast Beauties, and a holistic skin care therapist and make-up artist! Central Coast Beauties is an all-natural beauty bar featuring innovative natural products, clean skincare, and treatments.
Jessica started as a freelance makeup artist and has been working in the industry for over 10 years. She always had a dream of having her own studio, but for her it never quite felt attainable. In 2016 her father brought her a flyer for MCSC & the Women’s Business Center’s class, “Start, Run, & Grow Your Business.” A 12-week course on the in's and out’s of starting a business. With her family’s encouragement she enrolled and dove into making her dream a reality. It was the beginning of 2018 when she signed the lease for her very own studio in Grover Beach, California and took the next step into entrepreneurship.
Now Central Coast Beauties is open for business and Jessica is using her gifts to help pamper clients. From education on natural, conscious products to helping women with chronic pain, to busy mommas, like herself, Jessica assists clients in developing a self-care routine that will help reflect their inner beauty on the outside. Jessica says her favorite part of the job is getting to connect with her clients, helping them with pain management and educating people on alternatives to self-care that are safer and better for your body and the environment. Ultimately making her clients feel nourished and loved.
Gina Cinardo, Ginici Studios
Making the invisible, visible through personal branding and lifestyle portraits, Gina Cinardo is dedicated to capturing the authenticity and natural beauty of her clients creating an unforgettable photo and everlasting experience. Gina is a true artist with over 25 years of photography experience.
In 2010, Gina moved to San Luis Obispo and opened her business, Ginici Studios. Seeking startup assistance, she was referred to MCSC’s Women’s Business Center and enrolled in the ‘Start, Run & Grow Your Business’ entrepreneurial training course. Upon graduating Gina benefited greatly from the marketing assistance she received from this course.
In the first few years of her business Gina struggled with turning a profit. With assistance from WBC consultants she was able to shift her focus from business expenses to her current flow of income, which resulted in a better pricing structure for her products/packages. In her third year of business she turned a profit. Gina’s revenue is steadily increasing on an annual basis.
Rene Gonzales, Kumiko
Authentic, high quality, locally bought fresh ingredients-that’s what it’s about. A warm, and friendly ambiance away from the downtown chaos, Kumi-Ko Japanese restaurant has crafted the perfect combination of experience, quality and affordability!
In March 2017 Rene Gonzalez was presented the opportunity to take sole ownership of Kumi-Ko after working there as head chef. Being a sushi chef with 15 years of experience Rene reached out to the Women’s Business Center (WBC) for steadfast assistance in acquiring a business. He enrolled in our ‘Empezando Su Negocio’ entrepreneurial training course. Within three months of being enrolled Rene gained invaluable knowledge on how to buy a business, draft and finalize a legally binding contract, and how to support his team in this transition through effective communication.
Valuing company culture and employee happiness Rene and his team celebrates it’s first year of success since the acquisition.
Jen Chen, Tradespirit
Adorn Mindfully. Support Artistry. Elevate Humanity. This is the motto behind ‘Tradespirit’, a mobile boutique and online store located in San Luis Obispo, California. It is Jen Chen’s vision to offer stylish and comfortable fashions for women of all ages that are made with quality, and with conscience.
Jen left her unhappy career in the corporate advertising world in November of 2016 with a dream and a faithful leap into the unknown. She began her entrepreneurial journey by enrolling in the MCSC’S Women’s Business Center’s entrepreneurial training program called “Start, Run, & Grow Your Business.” This twelve-week course gave Jen the initial tools and courage to start navigating the waters of self-employment.
When asked if she could offer advice to other new entrepreneurs just starting out, it would be “lean into the fear and just do it”! She would advise them to take advantage of the resources available in the community to learn everything they can. Jen says, “The Women’s Business Center provided the foundational building blocks to my business success – thank you!”
Sabrina Pratt, Central Coast Comedy Theater
www.centralcoastcomedytheater.com
Sabrina Pratt is an actress, director and comedian with over 15 years of improv and sketch comedy experience. But being funny and making people laugh is only a small part of what Sabrina Pratt does. As the owner of Central Coast Comedy Theater, Sabrina and her ensemble produce 5-6, two hour shows monthly. Additionally, she teaches 6-week improv and sketch sessions. Through her classes and ensemble performances Sabrina creates a safe and playful environment for adults to express their inner being, “the part that is weird and irreverent and creative and juicy”- the part of every adult that is so easily and often suppressed. Sabrina is passionate about “guiding people through the process of getting out of their own way.” She believes that comedy theater is an effective outlet to be bold and creative.
In summer of 2016, Sabrina felt a strong compulsion to take the Women’s Business Center’s entrepreneurial training program. She quickly found that she was dreaming too small and was inspired to dream bigger. After Sabrina graduated she walked away with a new perspective and practical knowledge of small business ownership including how to monetize her passion and forecast for success. In August of that year she took the leap of faith to start her business. The business is flourishing as she celebrates over a year of success. She is continuing to seek guidance from WBC Consultants, Polly Mertens and Steve Mathis. Through this mentorship she is hoping to secure a loan for a local brick and mortar comedy theater where she can provide a warm, welcoming, and joyful experience to her students and her audience.
Sabrina encourages all women entrepreneurs to “start from where you are-action begets success and you are good enough now!”
Ana Rodarte, Las Delicias de Zacatecas
As a child Ana Rodarte loved to watch her mother and grandmother cook. As an adult, she was always making food for friends, who all told her she needed her own restaurant, and her entrepreneurial dreams took form.
Ana enrolled in MCSC’s Spanish business startup course “Empezando” where she gained invaluable business information. After the class ended, Ana received an opportunity to purchase a business and turn it into the restaurant she always dreamed of!
Ana now has seven employees and is recruiting more employees to support her growth. Anna gives back to the MCSC community on a regular basis by volunteering as a guest speaker. She emphasizes to all students, the importance of obtaining knowledge, and creating an on-going relationship with an organization such as MCSC.
Ana has built a strong mentorship with MCSC Consultant and Instructor Gabe Quiroz, and continues to meet with him for business advice. Ana says, “Gabe’s advice and knowledge were a great help in getting my business started quickly and correctly.”
Carol Ramirez, In Trust Legal
In the beginning stages of building a new business, and being responsible for marketing, networking, operations, sales, etc., Carol soon realized that she could not do it all on her own without some help. While attending a San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, she met Chuck Jehle, Program Director of Women in Business of MCSC. At the end of their thirty minute conversation, she applied for MCSC’s Start, Run, Grow Your Business 12 week program, and the rest, as they say, is history.
“Brent Christensen was a wonderful instructor, and the guest speakers were all so valuable. Participating in this class gave me the knowledge I needed to grow my business beyond myself!”
Carol added that she realized she was being presented with an opportunity to gain knowledge and support from both classmates and professionals who were behind her and her mission. During the course, she met with MCSC counselor, Lorna Whiteaker and continues to consult with Lorna on an as-needed basis.
Before attending MCSC’s course, she was considering applying for a full-time job working for someone else. After taking the course, Carol’s business has grown exponentially and has successfully reached milestones that she learned how to set in class. Additionally, through MCSC and its workshops, Carol has made valuable business connections and quadrupled her monthly revenue. She is now full time in her business and has hired two independent contractors to help with specific tasks and has partnered with other businesswomen in the community who are interested in helping her achieve her goals.
When asked what advice she has for other entrepreneurs and what she might do differently if she had to do it over again, Carol reflects that finding a niche that you love and believe in is the key to success and then “learn to live in the moment by doing everything you can today to build your business and don’t give up. Find a support system, which is far more productive than worrying about tomorrow.”
Brooke West, Brooke West Yoga
While attending a Bikram yoga class in 2002, Brooke says she had an overwhelming feeling, telling her, “This is the thing!” In 2005, she became a certified instructor for Ananda Yoga®, a meditation and relaxation-based practice. She began to do intensive research on how Therapeutic and Restorative Yoga and meditation can affect an individual’s mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health. Brooke focuses her practice on helping others coping with mental health and addiction disorders. She has helped her clients with issues such as grief, cancer, weight issues, chronic pain, anxiety and other mental and physical disorders. She believes that, “Yoga therapy can improve the quality of life, augment the efficacy of clinical treatment and draw upon other curative dimensions of the human experience and spirit.”
As Brooke’s message and reach began to expand, she realized she needed some professional support concerning the day-to-day operations of running a business. She reached out to Mission Community Services Corporation, who introduced her to Lorna Whiteaker, an MCSC consultant. Lorna helped Brooke evaluate where she was in terms of her finances, showed her the path to financial stability, and encouraged her to have a broad vision for her business. “She seemed to know just what I needed right when I needed it. She helped steer me in the direction of my big goals – one movement, one breath at a time.” Brooke says.
In addition to helping her see the big picture, Brooke’s consultant gave her a specific path to follow to realize her goals. She helped Brooke create an Income and Expense Report, improve her time-management skills, and create a three-month “safe path” for Brooke to steadily increase her income. She also helped Brooke define programs for her private Yoga Therapy practice. “Lorna and MCSC helped me in ways I never expected!”
“Whether you are starting a business or pursuing wellness, you have to be willing to do what it takes. Willingness brings awareness, and awareness brings action!” Well said, Brooke!
Renee Periat, Androgynous Fox Clothing
Renee knew that when she was passionate about a project, she was unstoppable, and one of her strongest passions came from something that she had discovered about herself. Renee found her own personal identity by dressing in a completely gender-neutral way. In considering this as a business opportunity, she knew that people rally behind brands, and Renee discovered that there were no brands that fit the gender-neutral niche. This was a perfect opportunity for her. When she started researching how to start a business, all she found was lots of “big picture” information, but nothing that gave her real structure, or showed her how to put it all together and prioritize all of the small pieces. Renee decided she needed someone to help her make sense of it all.
MSCS consultant Lorna Whiteaker showed her to see more clearly what steps she needed to take. One of her first tasks was to complete a business plan. Having to write a business plan and work all the numbers allowed Renee to better identify what her financial risks were and how much risk was reasonable. It also brought up questions she had never thought to ask. Renee ended up turning her original idea for operating her business around 180 degrees. She thinks it is a common misconception that entrepreneurs can get by without a business plan, because now she knows it just isn’t true.
Renee’s business, Androgynous Fox, now has over 6,000 loyal followers on Instagram and an online presence that is expanding every day. Her line of gender-neutral clothing and accessories has been very well received by her niche market. One of the things that she didn’t take into consideration when she started was that there was going to be an emotional component. People have reached out to her to say that her clothing and the community she has built online has given them a “sense of belonging.” While she is all about building community, she was also surprised at how emotionally gratifying it was when it actually happened.
The time Renee spent with her MCSC counselor was so valuable that she says she only wishes she had started sooner. While she knows she must hold herself accountable as a business owner, having someone else set deadlines and hold her accountable for the specific action steps made all the difference.
Liz Cordoba
An avid bicyclist, Liz wanted to start a business that incorporated her passions and her practical nature. She hoped to develop a line of clothing that could be worn comfortably on a bike, yet look fashionable and professional for work. It was important for Liz to create a product out of sustainable materials, but she soon found that everything she needed to learn – about sourcing, manufacturing, and marketing -- was overwhelming. She needed help.
Liz learned about MCSC’s Start, Run, and Grow Your Business class in the spring of 2014, and found it to be just the springboard she needed. She says that working on her business plan was crucial to being able to see the big picture of what was involved in becoming an entrepreneur. “It helped me to see the details I needed to organize in order to start my business.” But, it wasn’t just the business plan that helped her get started. She says the weekly lessons, classmate support, and the homework assigned by MCSC instructor Ken Kehs was invaluable to keep her on track.
As most entrepreneurs know, sometimes it is necessary to adjust plans in light of new or changing circumstances. While Liz was busy researching manufacturing options and studying sewing patterns for her bike clothing, it became clear that it would take more time and money than her financials could stand. So she began to repurpose thrift-store clothing to make into hats, gloves, and aprons, to create an immediate income. She soon realized that the low unit cost and short production time of making these “upcycled” accessories opened a new door for her.
“I could not have started my business without my MCSC consultant.” Liz says, “She was crucial in helping me stay focused by showing me how to set my short-term goals, and giving me assignments with deadlines."
Laura Jeffrey, 101 Wine Tours
www.101winetours.com
After just a short minute talking with Laura, you can feel the energy and excitement she has for her business. Mrs. Jeffrey started 101 Wine Tours out of a passion for wine, people and travel.
While driving her out-of-town friends and family around to all of the beautiful Wineries of the Central Coast she had the idea for her business, and 101 Wine Tours was born! Her goal was to sell a unique experience to her clients, and she accomplishes that by educating them about wines and wineries, documenting her tours through photographs, and interacting with the clients and vintners.
Before contacting Mission Community Services Corporation, Laura bought a Mercedes bus and planned some tours, but she soon discovered she was in a little over her head. She met with MCSC consultant Ken Kehs, who helped her to organize her finances, manage her advertising, and learn business management. In fact, it was while sitting in Ken’s office at their initial meeting that she booked her first tour!
If you ask Laura what she would have done differently, she doesn’t hesitate. “I would have asked for help sooner!” she says.
Heather Babcock, Hair Lines Salon
Heather Babcock believes that when you love what you do every day, then you will not only have a life you love, but the money will follow.
Heather started her own small business within Hair Lines Salon in Los Osos. In the summer of 2013, the owner of the salon indicated that he was thinking about selling, and it occurred to her that maybe she could buy it. She shared the idea with a client who suggested that she speak with someone at Mission Community Services Corporation. Heather just wanted to find out if it was possible to buy a business within the next few years, but her MCSC counselor Lorna Whiteaker asked, “Why wait? Let’s do the research now. Is the idea financially viable? Is the owner ready to sell? Let’s find out!” So, in her trademark style, Heather rolled up her sleeves and got to work.
MCSC showed Heather the important steps that she needed to take, and worked with her to take her dream and turn it into a business. When her market analysis revealed that what Los Osos really needed was a family salon, not another boutique salon, it spoke to her desire to be part of the community. Her salon is now the largest in Los Osos and has the most varied services, as it meets the needs of men, women and children. She laughs when she says, “I really hated doing the market analysis, but I did it anyway, and now I know that the thing I resisted doing was the thing that made the biggest difference for my business!”
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Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U. S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Call MCSC Program Director at 805-595-1357. MCSC is an equal opportunity provider. MCSC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
