BIPOC Owned
Tracie Shelton
Alamo Kitchens
Tracie Shelton joined the Break Fast & Launch program intending to increase her knowledge to support her small business clients and possibly to gain some insight for her “one-day” business.
Impact Women Owned
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.”
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.
Veteran
Mandy Simpson and Daren Sumrow
New Orleans Woodworking
Mandy and Daren, the husband-and-wife team behind NOLA Woodworking, are proof that entrepreneurs can transform communities through their craft. Daren is a U.S. Navy veteran with over 20 years of construction experience and a love for restoring and creating incredible woodwork. In 2014, he opened NOLA Woodworking and their sister company NOLA Boards. Mandy left her career soon after to help Daren expand their growing busines
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
Myreida Salinas
Myreida’s Linens
Myreida opened her linen rental business in 2001, but she dreamed of creating a business that would help clients plan and celebrate important life milestones. She gradually expanded her business to include decor rental and event planning, but she needed a loan to purchase the necessary supplies and rental space. Her sister referred her to LiftFund in 2012, and she used the funds to expand her inventory. She received two Lif
