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UPDATE: avana creative’s KIVA loan has been fully funded! To learn more about the KIVA program, click here.

Did you know that the Downtown Long Beach Alliance’s Economic Development Committee is a Kiva Trustee? That means the Committee is able to endorse promising local entrepreneurs for participation in the Kiva Long Beach program, which allows entrepreneurs access 0% interest, no-fee loans to sustain or grow their business by crowdsourcing the necessary capital from the local community. These loans are crowd-funded, with matching dollars provided by Kiva Long Beach.

DLBA’s most recent endorsed Kiva applicant is Karina Martinez, who started the Downtown-based branding and public relations firm “avana creative” in 2019. Martinez has been endorsed for a Kiva loan of $10,000, which she plans to use to expand her firm’s team to manage a quickly growing workload due to a growing demand for avana’s services. Additionally, funds would be used to upgrade company software to better assist clients.

“Growing up, I always knew I wanted to start my own business that helped people and made a difference,” Martinez reflected. “I started avana creative to be able to serve small businesses like the ones my family started.”

avana creative’s clientele includes emerging food, beverage, and minority-owned brands. The firm caters its services to each client’s needs, but they are primarily focused on brand strategy, creative concept work, social media marketing, media relations, and strategic partnerships. “We proudly provide services that help our clients not only compete, but often win against household names,” Martinez said.

Learn more about Karina and her fundraising journey by clicking this link: https://www.kiva.org/lend/2061782