East L A Empl & Bus WorkSource Center
5301 Whittier Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Phone: (323) 887-7122
FAX: (323) 887-8236
The Arbor E&T – Employment & Business Center, is extremely proud to submit the following
business/Participant success stories.
In partnership with Barrio Planners, Inc., our business partner, the individuals whose stories we
are sharing, participated in one or more of the business development training programs provided
to them at no charge. These programs include: The Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP), the
MicroBusiness and Enterprise Training Program (MTP) and LAUSD’s Small Business Boot
Camp.
The training courses taught participants about the initial steps of business set-up, business plan
development, marketing strategies that work, bookkeeping and financial planning, key financial
strategies, small business legal issues; economic development incentives, real estate
leasing/purchasing, financing options and resources. They also learned about the complex
requirements for certification to compete for government contracts, and were assisted in
completing and submitting the required forms and documentation.
Services have been provided to start-up businesses, small, medium and large established
businesses as well. Here are their stories.
DREAMS DO COME TRUE
ANTIQUA CULTURAL COFFEE HOUSE COMPANY
Antigua Cultural Coffee
House
www.antiguacoffeehouse.com
4836 Huntington Dr S
Los Angeles, CA 90032
(323) 539-2233
Get directions
ETP Graduate: YANCEY QUINONES’ goal was to own a coffee house where he would
provide Southern California with authentic, high quality gourmet coffee that was grown on his
family’s plantation in Guatemala. He knew what he wanted. He had a plan. He also knew that
he needed some expert advice and technical assistance so that he could realize his dream. He
received assistance in structuring his business plan, with strategic planning and access to capitol.
In 2004, Yancey, his sister and two friends opened The Antigua Cultural Coffee House Company
in El Sereno. Antiqua, however is not just a coffee house. It’s a cultural experience…and they
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have free wireless Internet too! In a short four years, the business venture has expanded and
diversified. He has two distribution sites where his coffee is roasted, packed and distributed; has
opened two other coffee houses in NorthEast L.A. and plans on opening another in East Los
Angeles. His entrepreneurial spirit, great marketing skills and business savvy coupled with
Barrio Planners’ business development expertise & ETP training was a perfect match. He’s also
businessman with a heart for the community. Yancey is involved with the local community;
supports social programs, started the El Sereno Merchants Association and has developed
fundraising strategies for local schools. Kudos to the Antiqua Team.
FROM EMPLOYEE to ENTREPRENEUR
E & B BUILDING MAINTENANCE
ETP-Spanish Course Graduate: CARLOS RIVERA, a long-time resident of Los Angeles
owns a thriving janitorial business. But, what he really wanted to do was to own his own shoe
store. What happened? Well, like the saying goes timing is everything. Opportunity knocked
and he enrolled in the ETP Spanish course. Mr. Rivera worked for almost 20 years as a janitor.
Having migrated from Michoacán, Mexico, with no English skills, he worked nights because he
knew that people who worked the day shift would have to communicate in English. He also
knew that in order to succeed he need to learn English. That motivated him to enroll in English
classes and subsequently earned a high school diploma. When the contract that the company Mr.
Rivera worked for was ending, he was encouraged to start his own business and bid the contract
himself. Mr. Rivera knew that he was not prepared to be a contractor. He saw an Entrepreneur
Training Program flyer at Garfield Adult School where he was taking a computer class. He
immediately knew that ETP was in and computer classes were out. He enrolled in the ETP
course that was offered in Spanish at the East Los Angeles WorkSource Center. He states “I
would not have been able to start my business without the class. It helped me a lot. Barrio
Planners has helped me a lot. They encouraged me and motivated me. They helped me put my
business plan together and prepared the bid for my first contract.” When Mr. Rivera finished the
ETP training course he asked the manager at Spectrum Athletic Club to give him the cleaning
contract. The manager said YES. After all, it was she that asked him to bid on his old
employer’s maintenance contract. His business is home-based and plans on developing a
website in the near future. Mr. Rivera says that “For now, I’m very happy and I’m very busy
with the three contracts I have with clients in Santa Monica, Redondo Beach and Downtown
L.A.”
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