Client Success Stories: California Small Business Growth

UnoEth partners with artisans in Ethiopia to craft handmade, classic, and versatile leather bags and accessories. Founded in 2015 by the father-daughter team of Xiomara Rosa-Tedla and Dagne Tedla, the concept came about after Dagne bought Xiomara a custom leather messenger bag as a gift on one of his trips to Ethiopia, where he was raised. The bag was a huge hit, and many of Xiomara’s friends and coworkers asked if they could pre-order bags for Dagne’s next visit. The duo began working with Ethiopian artisans to design, import, and sell leather goods, and UnoEth (which means ‘One Ethiopia’) was born.

Based in San Mateo, Circlefoot Permaculture is a full-service design and build landscape contractor producing beautiful, functional landscapes and farms to support a healthy ecosystem. When founder Diego Torrelio was starting his business, he turned to Working Solutions for the capital he needed to grow. With the help of two Working Solutions loans, Diego and Circlefoot have since completed over 500 projects and planted over 10,000 plants, regenerating farmland and landscapes across the Bay Area. Read more about Diego’s entrepreneurial journey here.

Taylor Stitch, a men’s lifestyle brand based in San Francisco, was co-founded by Michael Maher, Barrett Purdum, and Mike Armenta in 2007 with a humble mission: to build a better tailored men’s shirt. The company pledges to build the best possible clothing—focused on durability and comfort—while limiting its environmental impact. In 2011, a Working Solutions loan helped Taylor Stitch open its first retail location on Valencia Street in San Francisco. Since then, the company has grown to three locations and 30 employees. Read more about Taylor Stitch here.

Founded by sisters Kris and Kim Nations, Kris Nations is a local jewelry company that is both fashionable and fun. Designed using original artwork and recycled materials, the collection ranges from traditional pieces featuring birthstones and engraved letters to stud earrings shaped like tacos and avocados. Kris and Kim turned to Working Solutions for capital as their business was starting up, after being referred by a friend. They received their first loan in 2005 and have returned for three additional loans since then to help their business grow. About Working Solutions, Kris said, “For us, it wasn’t just money. It was all the support. They want you to succeed and they give you the tools to succeed.” Read more about Kris Nations here.

Nona Lim is passionate about making healthy and delicious food for people on the go. Her company, Nona Lim, started out as one of the first meal kit delivery services, with dishes inspired by flavors that Nona enjoyed while growing up in Singapore. With the help of a loan from Working Solutions, Nona Lim transitioned from a meal delivery business into a consumer packaged goods company—selling products made from scratch in small batches from fresh vegetables and high-quality meat, without additives or preservatives. Today, Nona Lim’s fresh Asian bone broths, soups, noodles, and more can be found in the refrigerated section of retailers such as Whole Foods and Costco. Read more about Nona’s story here.

Dionne McCray, founder, designer, and owner of Iva Jewell by Dionne, makes accessories for the bold, brave, and daring woman who likes bright colors and big prints. Dionne named the business after her mother, Iva Jewell, a former home economics teacher who inspired her love of fashion and design. With help from a Working Solutions loan through the SBA Microloan program, she has completed the first run of her line of fold-over clutches, laptop sleeves, and oversized totes made from African wax fabric and Indian saree lace. Read more about Dionne’s story here.

Jonathan Plotzker-Kelly is the founder of Heliotrope, a line of organic, scent-free skin care products sold online and in boutique shops across the country. Made in Northern California in small batches using organic ingredients, the product line includes moisturizers, cleansers, shaving products, lotions, shower gels, and hair care products, as well as aromatherapy candles, essential oils, and lotions. A loan from Working Solutions in the early stages of his business allowed Jonathan to develop new products and expand his inventory. In his own words, “The support they gave me at Working Solutions was crucial.” Read more about Jonathan’s story here.

GW “Chef” Chew has a mission—to get people to embrace a plant-based diet. In his own words, he was “born to change lives one chew at a time.” Through his company, Something Better Foods, he is doing just that by promoting healthier eating and offering delicious plant-based substitutes for meat and dairy products. Read more about Chef Chew’s story, and how a loan and business consulting from Working Solutions through the Wells Fargo Diverse Community Capital program helped him pave the road to success, here.

Patty Rodriguez, owner of SF Parking, runs the successful Employee Parking Lot at SFO and believes in giving people second chances. She founded SF Parking in 2011 and has since employed more than 200 people in full-time and part-time work, including formerly incarcerated individuals to help them get back on their feet. Speaking about how a loan from Working Solutions and JPMorgan Chase’s Entrepreneurs of Color Fund helped to boost her business, Patty said, “Be willing to take the risk. There are resources out there. Don’t be afraid to ask and learn.” Read more about Patty’s story here.