Do You Have A Small Business That We Can Help You Start or Grow?
Success Story: Maraya Performing Arts
Anjanette Maraya-Ramey owns a Chula Vista premier performing arts center that offers multigenerational classes in dance, music, and theater. She was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in 2018 and was devastated; all her life she was involved in dance and performing arts. She achieved remission in 2019 and realized she wanted to live the life she worked so hard for.
“I didn’t know where to begin,” she says of wanting to dance, be her own boss, and own her own business. She came across the SBDC website and took San Diego’s East County SBDC advisor Jeff Bernstein’s course on business planning. She says she fell in love: “This is what’s gonna hold me accountable,” she thought. Jeff helped her with her plan, financial projections, and asked those tough questions. She had her grand opening in 2021.
Jeff says Anjanette was one of his first clients, and she inspired him about what someone can overcome – from conquering cancer to opening a business during COVID. Jeff and Anjanette keep in touch monthly, reviewing projections, and he answers questions and checks in on her to make sure there’s a way to get through any challenges. “Life is too short,” she says with a laugh. “Go for your dream. Go to SBDC and they will help you on your way. I promise.” Check out Anjanette’s center at marayaarts.com!
Areas of Assistance
1:1 business advising
Training workshops
Economic Impact
$45,114 in capital funding
Four new full-time jobs
Location
Chula Vista, CA 91914
“I have to thank the SBDC and Jeff for their hand-holding and guidance … Besides fighting cancer, this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my lifetime. It’s nice to have somebody support you along the way. It’s doable.”
