2024 SBA Award Winners
Empowering Excellence
Join us in congratulating the winners of the 2024 SBA Awards for the San Diego & Imperial Counties.
2024 SBA Award Winners
District Director’s Award for SBA Mission Support
Chris Ramos, a San Diego native, embarked on his financial career two decades ago. His journey began at Washington Mutual, followed by a significant tenure at California Bank and Trust. Subsequently, Chris immersed himself in the secondary AR/factoring lending market before joining Enterprise Bank & Trust (EB&T).
Over the years, Chris witnessed the challenges faced by small businesses in their quest for success. Assisting clients in realizing their triumphs reinforced his belief that small businesses are the backbone of society, shaping communities. Now, in his role at EB&T, Chris is positioned to contribute to the support and advancement of small businesses and the community he deeply cherishes. In the past three years, EB&T has funded over $76 million in SBA 7(a) guaranteed loans to businesses in San Diego and Imperial counties, supporting many local SBDC clients and generously donating to community charities. This commitment has established Enterprise Bank & Trust as a vital community asset.
Chris actively engages in community service and support through his involvement in various councils, boards, and non-profit organizations. He serves on the board of directors for Breast Cancer Angels and Gift of Adoption and provides advisory support to Nature Unplugged. Demonstrating a commitment to community welfare, Chris also supports Feeding San Diego, organizes toy drives for Toys for Tots, and donates blood to the San Diego Blood Bank.
His dedication to mentoring and supporting others is evident through his 13-year volunteering stint as a big brother with Big Brother and Big Sister. Chris was matched with his “little” when the latter was just 5 years old, and now, his mentee is a freshman at the University of San Diego.
Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year
Traci Cole, a dynamic business professional, demonstrates expertise across a wide spectrum of areas, including marketing strategy, CRM, eCommerce, treasury, product development, sales, lean methodologies, and management consulting. Armed with a mathematics foundation from The University of Michigan, she holds an MBA from the University of Detroit and a Masters of Engineering Management from Northwestern University. Traci has held various managerial and business consulting positions over the years. She also founded and managed her own business, Golden Fibre Bags, LLC for eight years.
As the Director of the SoCal VBOC, Traci, plays a crucial role in supporting the veteran community. Her multifaceted contributions encompass mentorship, resource facilitation, training, community outreach, advocacy, and networking, all aimed at empowering and enhancing the success of the veteran community in the business world. Facilitating networking events, she creates opportunities for veterans to connect with clients, partners, and investors, strengthening their professional networks.
During her initial year as the SoCal VBOC Director, Traci’s impact is evident in assisting VBOC clients with securing over $770,000 in capital, creating 21 jobs, and launching 22 new businesses. Her role at VBOC reflects a dedicated commitment to supporting veterans and fostering a thriving entrepreneurial environment.
Traci Cole, as a member of the DVBE Advisory Council, actively contributes across diverse domains. Her efforts include raising awareness about the unique challenges and opportunities encountered by veteran entrepreneurs. Additionally, she engages in policy advocacy, collaborating closely with government agencies to address policy considerations that significantly impact veterans in the business sector. Traci serves as a key influencer, supporting and championing the entrepreneurial endeavors of the veteran community.
Her unwavering dedication to the future success of veteran entrepreneurs, coupled with her leadership and achievements, solidify her status as a champion of veteran small businesses.
Champion of Diverse Small Businesses
Christiana Russell, an ardent advocate for BIPOC and other underrepresented communities, has bridged the gap between them and government agencies nationally. Her mission is to enhance funding access for BIPOC and other underrepresented nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Through her tireless efforts against financial inequities and engagements with government figures, she’s secured over $1 million for BIPOC and other underrepresented founders and $300k for BIPOC nonprofits in SD. Her networking acumen has connected BIPOC entrepreneurs with invaluable mentors and investors, enabling them to thrive. Through collaborations with community bodies, she’s fostered a solid network to uplift BIPOC and other underrepresented individuals. Additionally, Christiana has amplified the BIPOC and underrepresented organizations’ prominence, leveraging her platform to highlight their impact and integrating them with local influencers and media. This visibility has garnered substantial support, both public and private. Overall, Christiana Russell’s relentless advocacy for BIPOC and other underrepresented groups, nationally, is a testament to her commitment to advancing diversity, inclusivity, equity, and justice. Christiana is being recognized for her authentic and impactful leadership, making her an exemplary “champion” in the business community.
Christiana Russel has dedicated her entire life and career to improving the lives of business owners from underrepresented communities. Her volunteer efforts extend beyond mere professional responsibilities, encompassing a lifelong commitment to improving the lives of African and Latinx business owners. Christiana goes above and beyond personal advancement, demonstrating a genuine desire to enhance conditions in the small business community. Her leadership and unwavering commitment have created a safe community for underrepresented business owners. A standout feature of her recognition is her volunteer efforts to provide professional services to the small business community. Her accomplishments in advising small business groups of opportunities within the broader business community illustrate transformational impact. Christiana’s advocacy for minority representation in the technology sector addresses a long-standing disparity, providing fundamental access to education, mentorship, programming, resources, and, crucially, funding. Her role as a liaison in developing procurement relationships throughout Southern California highlights a proactive approach to facilitating connections between business owners and procurement stakeholders. This fosters collaboration and amplifies the impact of her work in the small business community. Beyond regional boundaries, Christiana’s influence reaches the national stage. Her advocacy in Washington, DC, for policies supporting youth from diverse communities emphasizes a forward-looking perspective. Recognizing the need for systematic change, starting with the youth, she actively volunteers and mentors STEM youth from underserved communities.
Women in Business Champion of the Year
Briana Weisinger, MA, MBA, is being recognize for much more then the significant influence and impact she has had on the San Diego small business community through the work she does at the SDI SBDC. Prior to the SBDC, Weisinger spent 15 years with UCSD and is credited for being the first Startup Advocate, bringing $2M+ to support entrepreneurs, and democratizing the entrepreneurial ecosystem. She led high profile entrepreneurship initiatives, developed customized programs for technology assessment and entrepreneurial education, founded the largest university-based entrepreneur conference Ignite @ UC San Diego, and regularly showcased University-based startups to members of the U.S. Congress, City Council and State Assembly as well as at national and international conferences.
Briana has lent her contributions in both her professional and personal life not only in her local community but also on a global scale. She is the founder of such programs as the Student Innovation Ambassador Program, the IDEAS Council, and the von Liebig Internship Program @ UC San Diego. She also co-founded and was VP, of the National Association of Women MBAs – San Diego; and volunteers as a board member of Hera Labs, a female focused business accelerator; raised funds and worked with refugees with Better Days for Moria, Lesvos, Greece; and was a Serv-a-thon Project Manager, recruiting and coordinating 100 volunteers.
Briana Weisinger is relentless in her pursuit to make the world a better place for female professionals and women in leadership. She is truly one of a kind and her brilliancy shines in every endeavor she is involved in. Despite her youthful appearance, her achievements, accomplishments, and humanitarian efforts are so great in number that there is not enough space to list them all and clearly display the magnitude of impact a person can have when they are gifted with the rare combination of intellectual ability and a continuous drive for excellence.
Financial Services Champion of the Year
Juan Carlos Hernandez brings over 30 years of banking experience gained from working with specialized in consumer, business, and commercial real estate lending.
California Southern offers a credit enhancement program administered by the InfraStructure bank (IBank) through the Go-Biz Office at the State of California. This program guarantees small business loans up to 80% under the regular program and up to 95% through the Disaster Loan Guarantee Program. Within his loan portfolio, approximately 45% of the loans are held by minority-owned businesses and 42% women owned businesses. These numbers are far above the averages seen across traditional lending sectors. Juan Carlos and his team play a crucial role in providing capital to a diverse range of small businesses, particularly those in underserved communities across our San Diego & Imperial Valley region and other areas of California.
Hernandez also serves on the Boards of Chicano Federation, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, San Diego Parks Foundation and a Mission Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) – Fondo Adelante CDFI Micro-Lender. And, he and his company contribute both money and time to charitable causes including mission lenders, such as Accessity, and TMC Finance Corporation and other non-profits such as MANA de San Diego and Chambers of Commerce throughout the region. In addition, they support SBDC’s by partnering the business coaches to proper financial institutions for access to affordable capital for their clients.
Juan Carlos recognizes that investing in diverse and underinvested small businesses goes beyond mere financial success. It transforms lives, strengthens communities, and creates generational wealth. San Diego is fortunate to have such a dedicated advocate in Juan Carlos.
Anthony Vigil Small Business Advocacy Award (Team)
San Diego Unified School District’s (SDUSD) Business Outreach team exhibits an unrelenting commitment to small and diverse business participation on its multibillion-dollar Capital Improvement Bond Program (Propositions S/Z and Measures YY/U) and across its construction contracting programs.
Karen Linehan launched and has overseen the District’s award-winning Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE/XBE*) program that operates with an astonishing 45% EBE participation, which equates to over $1.3 billion in awarded contract dollars to diverse small businesses since 2009. This ensures San Diego Unified’s capital bond projects benefit local communities; and that a significant portion of construction dollars are spent on small, diverse, and traditionally underutilized businesses. San Diego Unified has an $11.6 B construction program.
EBE/XBE inclusion in SDUSD’s construction program is the result of a smooth and innovative business outreach program that offers guidance, networking, advocacy, and tools, including a Tip Sheet, to help them attain contracts, both within and outside of SDUSD business opportunities.
The Business Outreach team provides small, diverse, and traditionally underutilized businesses with individualized support and resources to help them gain experience and qualifications to bid on SDUSD contracts. They also participate in several outreach events throughout Southern California, as panelists, exhibitors, and presenters, to identify and connect with new EBE/XBE organizations to keep the SDUSD’s program viable now and in the future.
The San Diego Unified EBE/XBE Program is widely considered the “Gold Standard,” a hard-earned honor that continues to motivate the team to achieve even more.
*XBE is the term used to include Disabled-Veteran Businesses, Women-owned Business Enterprises, Minority-owned Business Enterprises, and Small Business Enterprises.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Aaron De La Paz, a San Diego, California native, has been a tattoo artist for 17 years. He bootstrapped the start of his business Hustle Tattoo & Piercing Studio, in 2018, as a Schedule C sole proprietor, now an S-Corporation, with two locations. Hustle Tattoo has seen consistent year-over-year revenue growth since 2019 and is now growing income and equity with a building purchase.
In 2023, Aaron leveraged an SBA 7a loan in the amount of $995,600 to purchase a building for a new studio on University Avenue in San Diego, California, through Harvest Small Business Finance. Without the SBA guaranteed loan, the business would not have qualified for this loan. The SBA’s lower down payment and Harvest’s less conservative underwriting standard made it possible for Hustle Tattoo & Piercing Studio to buy its building.
Hustle Tattoo & Piercing Studio provides body art to the residents of San Diego. Aaron and Karla De La Paz along with their team of artists dedicate time and attention to each tattoo and piercing. Tattoos and body art are personal transformative experiences for the customers who get them. This requires a dedication to detail that Hustle Tattoo & Piercing Studio provides.
Aaron also provides internship opportunities to new tattoo artists so they can break into the industry and find sustaining work. He networks with other studios so that young artists can connect to the marketplace. This is of great value to those entering the industry.
As a young entrepreneur, at age 30, Aaron is leading the way, running, and growing his business. He has an entrepreneurial spirit, providing leadership and opportunities for his employees and aspiring tattoo artists.
Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year
Bruce Banning, Navy veteran, launched his construction company, in 2000, and has shaped it into a thriving Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business. Primarily focused on residential services, Banning and Son, Inc. serves all of San Diego County and has established a notable presence in various sectors, including Woman’s Shelters, Jails, Fire Stations, and Sheriff Departments. The breadth of their services extends beyond traditional residential construction, showcasing a commitment to community-oriented projects.
Banning and Son Inc has thrived with pivotal support from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), starting in 2018, catalyzing its growth and success across crucial areas. SBDC guidance covered small business certification, strategic planning, business development, and funding, and collectively fortified the company’s resilience, spurred growth, and contributed to its success in the construction industry.
They have experienced significant growth and expansion since their founding, transitioning from a modest beginning in a small office to a 3000 sq. ft. office with a warehouse. They have also seen consistent financial growth year over year.
Banning and Son Inc is also deeply committed to making a positive impact in the community, sponsoring a local baseball team; supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation, as well as Saint Madeline Sophie Center, which empowers individuals with developmental disabilities. Additionally, their team members actively participate in various charitable initiatives, such as volunteering for local events and fundraisers. In collaboration with “We See You” in San Diego, they strive to address pressing community needs and contribute to the betterment of society.
Banning and Son, Inc. stands as a testament to Bruce’s leadership, marked by a commitment to excellence, community impact, and a successful transition from military service to entrepreneurship.
District Director’s Microenterprise of the Year
Roanna Canete visited more than 30 countries and worked as a leadership consultant on several continents as a young adult. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership as well as an MBA in Entrepreneurship, and for 10 years served as a global leadership consultant, and taught leadership at the graduate level.
The Gluten Free Baking Co., and Roanna’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2015, in her home kitchen, when her son was diagnosed with multiple food allergies. At that time finding good tasting allergen free foods was difficult. With no formal kitchen training, she became a self-made gluten free pastry chef.
Roanna credits the San Diego Small Business Development Center coaching and resources in helping her successfully write her business plan, hire employees, engage with social media marketing, and strategize her PR. The SBDC team also helped her pivot from wholesale to a retail business during the pandemic.
The Gluten Free Baking Co. is now four businesses in one. A fully functioning gluten free (GF) bakery, with two retail locations, selling wholesale as well, which includes a co-op retail space for fellow GF businesses; and an incubator kitchen, renting kitchen space to GF start-ups; and a professional gluten free culinary school, teaching baking and business courses, throughout the U.S. and Canada, to equip individuals to go into the GF food industry.
As a queer business owner, Roanna conducts an annual fund raiser to support The National Black Justice Coalition, a civil rights organization focused on empowering Black LGBTQ+/SGL people and families. She also supports Girl Scouts by frequently teaching local troops entrepreneurship and baking.
Roanna has transformed her business into a multifaceted enterprise, successfully navigating challenges such as the 2020 pandemic and emerging stronger each time. Roanna’s entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Her passion, resilience, and commitment to both community and quality gluten-free baking demonstrate true entrepreneurial spirit. We look forward to watching her business continue to grow.
District Director’s Award for Growth
OmniSync, is a VC and US Air Force-backed software and services company dedicated to finding and funding the best American innovations. Its core work revolves around combining cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) with affordable expert support to empower innovation and democratize resources for innovation. With over 15 years of experience across startups, industry, and academia, Rupak Doshi brings an abundance of knowledge and expertise to his role.
OmniSync has demonstrate resilience and growth despite adversity. As a new business in late 2019, it grew throughout the pandemic and again in 2022/23 during a decline in investments into startups, OmniSync was able to secure large contracts with the Federal government to not only keep the company afloat but grow into new areas and capabilities. In four years, OmniSync has experienced exponential revenue growth; a growth in number of users from one to 10,000+; staffing went from two to 22, with office space to accommodate them; and has added a second location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They also plan to open a third location in Colorado, mid-year 2024. It is on a clear and continued upward trajectory.
OmniSync has received entrepreneurial support and guidance from The Brink Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and was selected as a Connect SBDC Cool Company for two years in a row, 2021 and 2022. Having access to an ecosystem of partners, where a startup can get mentorship and guidance, has greatly helped OmniSync grow and expand.
Since launch, the company has been awarded two Phase-I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants, three Phase-II SBIR grants, and two Phase-III SBIR awards.
Without question, Rupak has charted a strategic and forward-thinking course for OmniSync that is impressive.
Jill Andrews Award for Staying Power
Shastan Jee and Matt Newstrom, leverage their many years of business experience and expertise, across diverse domains to ensure the success of bkm OfficeWorks, LLC (bkm). Shastan, with two decades of expertise in strategy, marketing, product development, and managing customer service-oriented enterprises on both domestic and international scales, and Matt, with over two decades in senior management and consulting, in the areas of corporate real estate, workplace strategy, business development, building operations, construction, and process improvement.
Established in 2003, bkm is a distinguished provider of office furniture design solutions and inspired workspaces. The company is recognized for its innovative approach to enhancing human productivity through visionary design and a profound understanding of how people work. Since its founding, bkm has undergone significant expansion, with a staff of 103, they have established a prominent presence in multiple locations within Southern California, including a showroom and headquarters in UTC, warehouses in San Diego and Riverside, as well as a used furniture location in Commerce, catering to clients seeking quality pre-owned office furnishings.
bkm received SBA Paycheck Protection Program funding, through Comerica Bank, during the pandemic and assistance, from the Small Business Development Center, in obtaining its small business certification, navigating the complexities of government contracting and gaining access to set-aside contracts and procurement preferences reserved for small businesses.
bkm OfficeWorks actively participates in community support initiatives, through sponsorships of various community organizations. They also engage in philanthropy by making donations, such as furnishing veterans centers and supporting other non-profit organizations.
Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year
Julie Lowen, Founder and CEO of Children’s Paradise is leading the charge in early childhood development. Her state-of-the-art education centers, combined with her new vision of family support centers, have helped thousands of families improve their life. Under Julie’s leadership, Children’s Paradise has had tremendous growth and expansion. Currently, there are seven operating Children’s Paradise Centers, four other sites under construction, in addition to the corporate headquarters, a parent engagement center and centralized distribution center.
Julie’s centers stand apart by letting children learn and explore through imaginative play experiences that are facilitated by highly educated teachers, along with a belief that each child should be offered equal access to a high-quality early childhood education, regardless of their family’s income.
In the past Children’s Paradise Inc has benefited from SBA’s 7a and 504 loan programs, with their most recent SBA 504 funding in 2023 for a daycare facility in San Diego County, through TMC Financing and Banner Bank.
Children’s Paradise and Julie are active contributors of time, expertise, and money in many community, business, and educational organizations, the Smarty Patch Foundation, Fathers and Families Coalition of America, the Vista Education Foundation, and several local chambers of commerce, among others.
Julie has had a huge impact on the early education industry and is a well-known business leader, providing significant contributions to industry growth and local economic development.
Diverse Small Business of the Year (Team)
Career Marine veteran Drew Simpson entered the construction industry serving as a foreman, estimator, operator, and manager before founding Amerivet in 2017. Drew Simpson, President, and his partners Keith Arnold, Vice President; and Ryan Tisinger, Director of Business Development successfully operate Amerivet, an all-inclusive commercial and industrial construction firm which became fully operational in October of 2019. Amerivet Contracting stands out as a rapidly expanding DVBE/DBE/SBE/MBE entity, making significant strides within California’s business landscape. AmeriVet has undergone a remarkable financial transformation, experiencing substantial year-to-year growth and accomplishments. Starting with one employee, it has significantly expanded its workforce to include a dedicated team of 95 professionals. This expansion aligns with a noteworthy increase in government contracts, reaching an impressive $20 million.
The Amerivet team received guidance and assistance from various SBA programs and resource partners to help them start and grow, such as SBA’s Boots to Business Reboot, Monterey PTAC, California SBDCs, including the North San Diego SBDC, and they received an SBA 7A Loan to purchase Amerivet’s main office, in National City, CA. Additional California offices are in Downtown San Diego, Ridgecrest, and Yreka, and their California storage yards are located in Bakersfield, Riverside, Paso Robles, Maripos, Sonora, and Lindsay.
As Amerivet Contracting continues to grow, Drew is dedicated to giving back to the community in several ways. As a veteran, he is focused on hiring other veterans as they transition to the private sector by offering training and professional development. The company also contributes to a variety of causes such as Toys for Tots, Christmas Meals for veterans, sponsors sports teams, and school events, as well as donating time and equipment for disaster recovery situations, and more.
Amerivet Contracting has demonstrated tremendous growth, job creation, ability to overcome adversity, expand services, and a commitment to the community they service; both directly and indirectly.
District Director’s Award for Innovation
Jose has only been able to walk the path he has because of his exposure to hydraulic systems with his father’s business. He understands that hard work and resiliency in the face of adversity makes for lasting success. As the developer of technology hardware and software, he has had to deal with product design and materials challenges, to manage production and quality control during the uncertainty of COVID and yet still, his company sees strong revenues and a strong pipeline for growth.
Fluid Power Ai (FPAi) develops AI enabled hardware that keeps big things from breaking. FPAi’s plug and play technology can detect hydraulic system issues and provide prescriptive prognostics that can significantly lower the cost of hydraulic system maintenance and eliminate downtime.
The EvoNexus incubator helped Jose and his co-founders start Fluid Power Ai in 2019. They have also received extensive support and guidance from the advisors and training programs at the San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network, such as The Brink SBDC’s San Diego Angel Conference and training program, and the Connect SBDC’s Cool Companies program, which have resulted in substantial investor seed round funding for FPAi. The FPAi team continue to work with the SBDC network, as the company grows and expands into government procurement.
Jose believes in paving the way for future technology entrepreneurs, with a focus on those in underserved communities. He executes High School and college internship programs, supports youth STEM activities, partners with local High School Entrepreneur/Engineering Programs working with high school teachers and clubs to enhance their programs, and much more.
Founders like Jose and his story are instrumental in inspiring the next generation of diverse entrepreneurs and demonstrating that investments in diverse founders do happen and can reinvent industries instead of replacing them.
District Director’s Award for Overcoming Adversity
Kate Dilligan, a Stanford MBA graduate, is a breast cancer survivor on a mission to protect the dignity, privacy, and identity of cancer patients. She founded Cooler Heads from her personal experience trying to cope with the overwhelming side effects of treatment for breast cancer. After recovery, she set out to build the evidence-based products cancer patients need to manage their wellbeing during and after treatment.
Cooler Heads uses technology to build the products, content, and services cancer patients need to mitigate the daunting side effects of treatment. Their first product, Amma, is the only FDA cleared portable, affordable, and scalable solution for scalp cooling – a therapy that allows chemo patients to keep their hair.
Kate has been engaging with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network since 2018. She has received considerable assistance from The Brink SBDC, and Connect SBDC with various aspects of fundraising, sourcing alternative funding, and business strategy for testing and penetrating the market with her product.
Since its founding in 2018, Kate has raised over $11 million, created 12 high-quality jobs, and achieved $1 million in revenue in the first year of commercialization.
Cooler Heads contributes to organizations like Hair to Stay that help offset the cost of scalp cooling for patients who can’t afford it. In addition, it offers accounts that provide scalp cooling with one free cap system to cover the needs of one patient for the duration of treatment for every eight patients that enroll. Kate is also an active participator in the Women Founder’s Network, Stella Labs, and StartX which are each supporting the startup ecosystem.
Pacific Region Small Business Subcontractor of the Year
Peter, the co-founder of OmicronVis, held previous jobs that couldn’t accommodate his ideas, but he knew he could bring them to life if he had the authority to make decisions. Driven for freedom and control over his work experiences, Peter co-founded OmicronVis. He wanted to create an environment where not only he but also his team could thrive. Drawing from his extensive expertise in the Industry, Peter founded the company with a solid foundation and continues to enhance his business acumen by participating in SBA’s 7(j) and THRIVE training programs, as well as being active in SBA’s Joint Venture and Mentor Protégé programs.
Focused on strengthening maritime dominance for the Navy’s Joint Force, OmicronVis, an SBA 8(a) Business Development program participant, minority-owned and small disadvantaged professional engineering firm, specializes in advancing integrated combat systems, networked technologies, and multi-domain operations. These past two years, OmicronVis has achieved remarkable growth. Their revenue has doubled, the number of contracts has tripled, and their overall staff experiencing a 300% increase. This progress positions them as a highly capable partner, delivering exceptional value to their customers.
Beyond business, OmicronVis is committed to giving back to the community. They actively mentor local high school and college STEM students, investing in the development of future talent. Peter’s story is of passion, determination, and a commitment to making a difference. Through his leadership, OmicronVis has become a thriving business, contributing to industry growth and making a positive impact in the community.
Small Business Person of the Year
Francisco Rivera, a combat-disabled veteran minority, dedicated over 15 years of service to our country within the Department of the Navy. During that time, he also pursued his MBA and honed his natural abilities in marketing by supporting various soccer teams.
In 2017, Rivera sought assistance from the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to kickstart his business, capitalizing on his veteran and minority status. In 2018, he launched Wepa Commercial Cleaning (Wepa), a janitorial services company focused on cleaning and disinfecting services. Rivera has since received advising in the areas of government contracting, strategic planning, and funding.
In 2019, Wepa expanded into the government sector to create a nearly recession-proof business model and increased gross revenues exponentially in the past three years, achieving seven-figure profits last year. During this time, Wepa secured and successfully executed several government contracts, including a significant one with the Port of Long Beach. In 2020, hey adapted to the changing landscape by adding disinfecting services and incorporating eco-friendly supplies into their offerings to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 shutdowns. By 2023 Wepa had created 30 jobs. Having solidified its position in Southern California, the company is actively positioning itself for further outreach and growth.
Francisco Rivera is actively engaged in contributing to the community through various councils, boards, and clubs, including the National City Chamber of Commerce. He is also deeply committed to assisting fellow veterans in their transition from military to civilian life, volunteering his time and expertise to help them navigate the complexities they face during this time. In addition, Francisco Rivera assists kids and veterans with entrepreneurship.
As part of the Wepa team, he exemplifies civic responsibility by actively engaging with the community. Their collective efforts extend beyond mere cleaning services. Wepa Commercial Cleaning serves as a dedicated ally, promoting cleanliness, health, and overall well-being. Notably, they have successfully collected over 10,000 toys for the Toys for Tots program, reinforcing their commitment to making a positive impact.