Impact Stories

Small Business. Big Impact. 

We are proud of our clients who add vibrancy to our communities while creating a pathway to prosperity for themselves, their families and their employees. 
 
At LiftFund 26% of our client base includes startups contributing to the local economy and making a difference in their communities. 
 
Read about our clients’ entrepreneurial journey and get inspired by their passion, commitment and resiliency. 

BIPOC Owned

Michelle Quiroz

Reserva Coffee Roasters

Michelle and Danny Quiroz began their small business journey with curiosity and a passion for great coffee. “This really started as an experiment [between] me and my husband,” Michelle said. “We were fascinated by the science behind fresh coffee and how to make the best cup possible.”

Continue Reading

Pilar Gonzalez

DipIt by Pilar

As a divorced single mother of three, Pilar Gonzalez worked a variety of jobs to provide for her family, but magic happened when she stepped into the kitchen. Using her family’s recipes, she launched Dip it by Pilar — a line of gourmet yogurt-based dips made with fresh ingredients like cilantro, jalapeño, and chipotle — in 2006.

Continue Reading
BIPOC Owned

Guillermo Rodriguez Vasquez

Wild West Boots

“My dream was to be an engineer when we lived in Mexico, but that took a back seat when we moved here 20 years ago,” said Guillermo Vasquez. Guillermo has been a small business owner since he moved to the U.S. The biggest obstacle he and his wife had to overcome when starting their small business was to understand credit and the impact it has on an individual. During the recession, Guillermo realized he needed a good cre

Continue Reading
BIPOC Owned

Freda Paz

Calling Card

“I always wanted to be a designer,” said Freda, “But after I had two kids, I needed flexibility in my schedule.” Freda used her creative skills and previous advertising experience to start a graphic design business, The Calling Card, that would serve the growing number of local professionals and businesses in downtown New Orleans. Freda soon realized that she could not manage a growing business alone, so she turned to LiftF

Continue Reading
BIPOC Owned

Ricardo Ortiz

Monte Bravo Transport

The training and discipline Ricardo received as a Marine prepared him for many challenges and rewards in life, including entrepreneurship. “I don’t see things as obstacles, only as complications that I must find a solution for,” said Ricardo. It is with this determination that he turned his experience as a truck driver into a business opportunity. He has over eight years’ experience in the transportation industry and is

Continue Reading