PACE Business Development Center

GO-Biz Program - Women Entrepreneur Ms. Tolentino's Success Story

Le Divina, named after Ms. Georgina Tolentino’s mother, is a premium manifestation and intentional candle line. Le Divina candles are made from Phthalate-free, Sulfate-free coconut wax candles with crystals that each candle has its unique characteristic. Le Divina is a home-based business located at 226 N. Crescent Drive, #204, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Le Divina started in June 2018, but only as small pop-ups. In July 2019, the e-commerce website was launched, and by September 2019, Le Divina’s products were in stores. 2020 was the first full year of operations. Ms. Tolentino started selling her products online in 2020, later in 2021 she hired a sales representative to oversee the wholesale orders. Since hiring the sales representative 20 more clients are added to the business.

During the 4th quarter, Ms. Tolentino reached out to the GO-Biz program at PACE seeking a $5,000 mini micron loan. She was assisted by loan officer Jennifer Whelan. Jennifer packaged and submitted the loan. The loan was approved and funded on September 30, 2021 (counted towards program goals: loans awarded and job retained). The loan proceeds were to be used to produce products with the private label (in gold travel tins and glass boxes) and to fill the store orders by mid-October.

Le Divina products are in many stores and Ms. Tolentino will be fulfilling orders for additional 15 stores for the peak season in November and December 0f 2021. During COVID, Ms. Tolentino’s revenue was negatively impacted, and could not manufacture new candles due to working capital shortfall and she was not able to buy raw materials. Even though Ms. Tolentino received $10,000 grants in August 2021, it only helped her to buy inventory and start production again. The additional $5,000 loan from PACE further helped her to fill the November and December orders. Le Davina’s candle has gained popularity and has spread to the east coast. Ms. Tolentino is now opening sales in New York City. She has also seen an increase in e-commerce sales and began launching pre-sales. Ms. Tolentino expects approximately $10,000 sales every month if she can get the products manufactured on time.

Do you want to be the next successful entrepreneur like Ms. Tolentino? Get the help you need from PACE Business Development Center: http://pacelabdc.org

PACE WBC - Women Entrepreneur Brandy Engler's Success Story

Brandy Engler began her private practice as a psychologist and later decided to take a leap of starting a general psychotherapy business - Silver Lake Psychology, investing in a large office space, and hiring more talented and experienced therapists.

As her practice grew, she became mired in the non-glamorous parts of being a business owner – learning acronyms like ADP, ROI, and EDD—and she lacked the skills for managing money and people. She was working 14-hour days doing different tasks including negotiating deals on office spaces and training staff. One year into her business boom, with 12 therapists and 2 offices, she was encountering financial hardships. She learned that growth doesn’t equal profit. Sunk by taxes, high overhead, and no financial management skills.

Fortunately, she sought out PACE Women’s Business Center (PACE WBC) in downtown LA, a non-profit organization that teaches business skills to female entrepreneurs. Brandy joined the PACE WBC mentor program which connects retired business leaders with female entrepreneurs. With the help of Swann Do, Women’s Center Director and Robert McKim retired business executive; shortly after, she learned accounting skills and financial strategies that helped her business to become profitable while growing.

Brandy learned that the staff needs a combination of freedom and structure. She has also learned there needs to be a watchful eye on anyone managing the accounting. Not understanding and paying attention can lead to financial mismanagement. Now Silver Lake Psychology is serving 8 locations in the U.S. Brandy is very pleased to say that the practice is stable with adequate resources and growing for sustainable growth. They are ready for the next set of challenges and know they can count on PACE Women’s Business Center to help them.

Do you also want to be the next successful women entrepreneur like Brandy? Get help from PACE WBC: https://rebrand.ly/pacewbc