After 30 years of working in the restaurant business, Gilbert Ruiz wanted to try something new. And so, along with his wife Lourdes, he set out to follow his passion. “Boxing has always been my passion,” said Gilbert. “I was a competitor when I was a kid; I trained my sons, both of whom were…
City Market owner Jose Michel loves the freedom and community connection he’s gained from starting his own business – and becoming his own boss. “I like running the grocery store a lot, because I’ve grown a lot,” said Jose. “And I like to be in touch with the community and the neighboring towns.” But when…
Mad Illustrators owner Myrick Wilson was born into entrepreneurship. So when he sought to expand his successful Fresno-based screen printing business, Myrick knew to look for the best funding source – and financial partner – that he could find. “On top of Access Plus being very nurturing, and helping you and doing whatever is necessary…
Treasurer John Chiang helped a Fresno business expand by facilitating a loan valued at $150,000 through the Treasurer’s Collateral Support Program, which encourages banks and other financial institutions to lend to small businesses that would otherwise have difficulty obtaining financing. The loan benefitted Fresno’s Belmont Radiator Shop, which repairs radiators and semi-trucks. The loan was…
This story begins in a Hmong refugee camp in Thailand – a small parcel of land littered with makeshift homes and buildings. These impromptu villages are built to serve one purpose: provide the most basic human needs for the shortest amount of time. However, some refugees have been at these camps since 1975 and have…
A protein drink that tastes like a coffee house gourmet coffee drink? It sounds like an active person’s dream come true! But the Greg and Beth Smith’s personal dream of expanding the product line with new flavors was halted when our economic environment took a turn for the worse; banks were leery of lending, let…
Al and Christy Kroell are the recipients of the national Sargent Shriver Achievement “Veterans Serving America” Award. They will receive the award in person at the annual National Community Action Partnership conference in Chicago. The video, featuring the Kroell’s and Fresno EOC/CDFI can be viewed here: Al and Christy Kroell had been serving in the…
After experiencing years of disappointment trying to find quality tamales at local restaurants, Liz Sanchez realized that if her family wanted tamales done right, they would have to make them as they had done for so many years at home, but on a restaurant level. In 2010, Fresno CDFI provided Liz with the startup investment…
Owners Doug John and Francie Denis opened their first Legend Music store in Manteca, CA in 2011. They expanded to a second Central Fresno location in July, 2012 by acquiring Sound Stage which had deep roots in the Fresno music community. The store serves musicians of all walks of life particularly music programs at surrounding…
Body del Sol Medical Spa is an unlikely success story of a company started at the depths of the recession in 2009. What was the secret to its success and growth over the past 4 years? ‘Determination’ says owner Ayde Mendibles, ‘it was tough and there were plenty of setbacks along the way, but I…