Long Beach, CA (May 1, 2024) – The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance) is excited to announce the selection of participants for its 2024 Education Series business development services.
This year, participants were offered the opportunity to apply for tailored business development services to elevate their organizations. From April 15 to July 15, 2024, these services will provide vital support to selected small business owners and entrepreneurs, aiming to catalyze their growth and sustainability.
“We are thrilled to announce the selection of participants to receive business development services through The Education Series,” said Stephanie El Tawil, DTLB Alliance Economic Development & Policy Manager. “We believe that investing in the growth and sustainability of these small business owners and entrepreneurs through tailored business development services is paramount to their long-term success and further growing the DTLB small business community.”
This award underscores the DTLB Alliance’s commitment to fostering long-term economic empowerment and innovation within the Downtown community. By providing these services, which were funded and organized by the Alliance, the organization aims to make a transformative impact on the selected participants.
To apply, participants were required to attend seven of the eight workshops held during the Education Series, complete an application with their future goals and information about their organization or businesses’ status, and present a pitch during “PitchMania” during the last event of the series.
14 participants applied and 3 were selected to receive $4K each in business development services:
- Coaching/mentoring services through MKCircle CEO Institute, Dr. Karen Semien-McBride
- Digital marketing consultation through Chrillex, Aleks Lason (one of the series’ instructors)
- Accounting/bookkeeping consultation through Process Innovators, Sabrina Landa (one of the series’ instructors)
Participants selected to receive the services:
- Lauren White, Speech World & Associates – speech pathology, advocation, and social skills specialist for differently-abled youth.
- Gabriel Enamorado, Stay Arts Gallery – nonprofit art gallery.
- Nicholas Collica, Endurance Coaching Evolved (pre-launch) – fitness training and community building app.
“I think my mindset is forever changed from participating in The Education Series,” said Lauren White, Speech World & Associates. “I got to meet other entrepreneurs, connect with strong businesses and mentorship, and just learn things I didn’t know. What I enjoyed most was the supportive staff, attention to details, answering emails, and meeting with me one-on-one for guidance. Everyone has been very patient, open minded, and supportive.”
The Entrepreneur and Small Business Education Series is a partnership between DTLB Alliance and The CSULB Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship. The 8-week program is focused on providing the tools and skills needed to start and run a successful business. The Institute provides a certificate of accomplishment to those who complete the entire program. The Education Series also provides participants the opportunity, as mentioned above, to apply for 3 months of business development services.
For more information on DTLB Alliance’s Economic Development programs, click here.
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About: The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance) is a nonprofit, community-based organization whose mission is to cultivate, preserve and promote a healthy, safe, and prosperous Downtown. The DTLB Alliance is recognized as the voice of Downtown Long Beach by the City of Long Beach and the State of California. By balancing the interests of the residents, as well as businesses, the organization creates tangible progress by way of vested interest and solidified partnerships across local, municipal, and commercial lines. For additional information, visit www.downtownlongbeach.org and follow on Facebook @downtownlongbeach, on “X” (formerly Twitter) @DTLBAlliance and Instagram @dlba.