Kevin Wilson is a San Diego native who dreamed of owning his own barber shop, and thanks to receiving a Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) KIVA loan, facilitated by the Civic San Diego (“CivicSD”) led coalition- Business Improvement District Access to Capital (BID A2C) Program, Kevin Wilson’s dream came true on April 15, 2017 when he celebrated the grand opening of Master Barbers at 6375 Imperial Avenue in the Encanto neighborhood.
“It was great working with a network of people that had my best interest in mind,” said Wilson. “One has to take the first step and ask for help to gradually escalate their success. I’m very happy to be an inspiration for other entrepreneurs.”
Wilson has 10 years of experience, is dedicated to his craft, and says he is grateful for the LISC KIVA loan that allowed him to take ownership of the shop formerly known as Imperial Barbershop. On Wednesday, July 19th at 11 a.m. Kevin Wilson’s Master Barbers hosted a Diamond Business Association’s KIVA Celebration.
The CivicSD led BID A2C Program which allowed Kevin to become the first BID A2C funded entrepreneur, is also facilitating a BID A2C partnership loan to a mother and daughter duo Rodnia Attiq and Rosario Sodelo. Funded by a CDC Small Business Finance loan for $50K, they can now expand their El Borrego Mexican Restaurant located within the El Cajon Business Improvement Area at 4280 El Cajon Blvd. On August, 10th at 10:30 a.m. a business success celebration will be held at the El Borrego Mexican Restaurant.
“I hope others will be inspired to reach out and get the same help that I got, so they can be successful too,” said Attiq. “I started my business under a tent and I have gradually grown, this network of people through the BID A2C helped me to get the additional money needed to expand my seating area to now include a patio. I’m very grateful for the program and the counselors who helped me understand the process.”
There are 18 BIDs within the City of San Diego in which local businesses have voted to invest collectively to improve their environment. El Cajon Boulevard, City Heights, and the Diamond District are several areas classified as low-to-moderate-income (LMI), and members of these communities are the ones who will benefit most from the numerous options offered by the collaboration of lenders all working together through the BID A2C Program.
“We consider our role in the BID Neighborhood Small Business A2C Campaign as being the “quarterback,” said CivicSD Economic & Community Development Manager, Gustavo A. Bidart. “We, along with three AmeriCorps Members, coordinate and guide stakeholders and focus on collective community impact in an effort to nurture small business and stimulate job creation.”
Other CivicSD partners in the BID Neighborhood Small Business A2C Campaign include; Small Business CDC, International Rescue Committee San Diego, Accion San Diego, CDC Small Business Finance, SBA, and Regents Bank. These lenders are essential to communities since they are the primary source of funding for small businesses seeking capital and economic growth. The participating Small Business CDC provides 1:1 business coaching and assess the borrower’s need and capacity in order to recommend the appropriate funding partners in the collaboration for their respective small business loans.
For additional information contact Gustavo A. Bidart at bidart@civicsd.com.
Last modified: July 19, 2017