On February 13, 2024, California Policy Director Bianca Blomquist testified before the Assembly Committee On Jobs, Economic Development and The Economy and Budget Subcommittee No. 5 to demonstrate the importance of equitable distribution of SSBCI dollars, and encourage the state’s continued investment in diverse technical assistance resources.
With a master’s degree in computer science, another master’s degree in information systems and an interdisciplinary PhD, Lisa Kaczmarczyk never planned on becoming an entrepreneur. After working in the tech industry as a developer, she transitioned into academia as a university faculty member teaching computer science where she also gained experience obtaining grants from the National Science Foundation. Lisa thought she would be doing this type of work forever.
On September 27, Small Business Majority joined the Responsible Business Lending Coalition in filing an amicus brief, alongside Public Counsel, U.C. Berkeley Center for Consumer Law & Economic Justice, California Association for Microenterprise Opportunity, and the Office of Kat Taylor, before the Central District of California in support of a California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) regulation requiring sales-based financing providers to disclosure their APRs and other costs to small business borrowers.
The Final Sauce is a specialty condiment company founded in 2012 by sisters Princess and Brownie Sims. Their signature barbecue sauce was developed from a recipe their aunt used when she worked for a well-known local barbecue restaurant many years ago. Brownie was able to replicate the sauce to create a version that incorporates their history, mission and family nostalgia. The Final Sauce has a total of 30 products, including barbecue sauces, spice rubs, marinades and vinaigrettes. Princess is committed to encouraging entrepreneurship and creating jobs in her community.
More than 80 small business owners and advocates signed on to Small Business Majority's letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom in support of passing SB 33, which preserves a cornerstone of SB 1235 by requiring APR disclosure for all commercial financing products. These protections were set to expire in 2024, but SB 33 will eliminate the sunset date and guarantee continued transparency for businesses.
In 2022, Small Business Majority, in partnership with Support Latino Business and Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, awarded critical funding to three Latina business owners through their annual #SupportSmallBiz grant program. The grant program bridges the gap in small business funding for Hispanic and Latino businesses, which often face challenges and systemic barriers in getting the capital and resources they need to start, grow and expand their enterprises.
Small Business Majority writes in support of AB 716 (Boerner Horvath), which will prevent consumers from being charged an out-of-network surprise bill for ground ambulance services, both emergency and non-emergency, and protect uninsured Californians from being charged inflated ambulance rates.
On July 29, Small Business Majority co-hosted the Shop Inland Empire Pop-Up Market with the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce in San Bernardino, Calif. Pop-up markets are a unique and emerging venue for hopeful entrepreneurs to launch their small business dreams. As commercial rent costs continue to rise and workforce shortages pose challenges to small businesses, pop-up spaces and marketplaces offer a low-cost entry point for small business owners to test their products and market their business to community members.
Cristian Corona is the owner and founder of Little Sprouts Language Immersion Preschool, located in Los Angeles, Calif. After having her first child, she began working in the childcare industry and went back to school. This inspired her to open her first childcare center, which opened in 2020 just before the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Copyright © 2006-2026 Small Business Majority, All rights reserved. Small Business Majority is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization.