Entrepreneurs Empowerment Program (EEP)

Access to tech and creative industry employment

San Fernando Valley County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) Central LA East LA South LA San Gabriel Valley West LA Gateway Cities South Bay Long Beach City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Many small business owners in Greater Los Angeles, low- to moderate-income and minority entrepreneurs, especially immigrants and those from underserved communities, face significant barriers to growth. These challenges include limited access to capital, inadequate financial literacy, and a lack of tailored technical assistance, resources, education, and support necessary for effective financial management. As a result, many entrepreneurs struggle to become loan- and contract-ready or to scale their businesses effectively. Without targeted, hands-on support, they remain under-resourced and unable to seize growth opportunities, which ultimately hampers economic development. Most of the micro businesses are hands-on; they run their businesses at least 16 hours a day, where they have no time for accounting, marketing, compliance, and they basically work for the businesses rather than the businesses working for them.

The Entrepreneurs Empowerment Program (EEP) is an 8-month initiative designed to support low-to-moderate-income (LMI) entrepreneurs, particularly immigrant, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and minority business owners, in Greater Los Angeles area. The program tackles long-standing barriers to financial education, capital access, and small business support by delivering hands-on, culturally responsive training to help stabilize and grow microbusinesses.
EEP is anchored by monthly “Power Up Wednesdays”—in-person workshops focused on core financial and business skills like budgeting, credit, and pricing—paired with peer learning and community networking. Participants also gain access to a digital Financial Literacy Toolkit and are offered optional referrals to technical assistance providers, such as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and SCORE, and become loan-ready to be connected to financial institutions, CDFI, and a Credit union. Our partner NDC is preparing itself to become a CDFI Licensed.
With a goal of engaging over 150 entrepreneurs, increasing capital readiness, and celebrating small business success through the SUNBITE eMagazine, EEP builds confidence, skills, and opportunity—empowering underserved entrepreneurs to build stronger, more resilient businesses that uplift their local communities. Additionally, entrepreneurs will be referred to NDC's partner, Green Path Financial Wellness Learning Lab+, and financial webinars.

When successful, it will help transform Los Angeles County by empowering low- to moderate-income, immigrant, and minority entrepreneurs with essential financial skills and business support. This will lead to more stable and growing small businesses that create jobs and sustain family incomes. By breaking down barriers to capital and education, EEP will foster greater economic inclusion and opportunity in underserved communities. The strengthened microbusiness sector will contribute to vibrant neighborhoods and local wealth-building, helping reduce economic disparities and promote long-term social and economic equity throughout the county. There will be growth in job creation, and when individuals have jobs, they will have access to ownership. As a result, Los Angeles County will have fewer unhoused individuals, as most of them lack rental payments and mortgages. Students will also be housed due to the job opportunity that was offered to them. It will build self-confidence.