Valentine in the Morning wants to highlight female entrepreneurs and business owners this March, Women’s History Month and share them! Every morning in March, we will highlight various small, women-owned businesses on-air by sharing what they do, where they’re located, socials, and why you need to know about them! If you want to nominate your small business OR a small business you love that should get some extra love, you can nominate here!
Viano Decor
Website: https://vianobyjoanna.com
Instagram: @vianodecor
Viano Decor is a home staging company in Los Angeles, California dedicated to bringing you the best in modern home staging. Since 2017, we’ve honored our mission of making home staging accessible to everyone, on every budget. Viano Decor helps homeowners prepare their residence for sale by creating a space that feels fresh and modern. Our mission is to bring inspiration and transformation to every space in your home. Viano is special because we started 4 years ago in our parent’s garage and now we’re staging about 200 homes a year! Also, we host monthly pop-up events at our warehouse and invite local women-owned businesses so they can promote. Always the A-student, Joanna graduated cum laude from San Diego State University in 2013, earning degrees in psychology and Spanish. Born and raised in East Los Angeles, she started Viano Decor home staging company in 2017. During her free time, she likes to attend Women’s Prayer Group and pray.
Pet Porter Pals
Website: https://www.petporterpals.com
Instagram: @petporterpals
Facebook: @petporterpals
Pet Porter Pals offers pet care assistance services to seniors with limited mobility, cognitive decline or no longer driving. Seniors absolutely adore their pets and benefit tremendously from the companionship and bond they share. In many pet-friendly assisted living communities, seniors must be able to care for their pets independently, otherwise they face the heartbreaking risk of having to rehome their pet. This is where Pet Porter Pals helps to keep seniors and their pets connected! I manage of all the pet care needs while the seniors only focus is to simply enjoy the companionship of their pets. My biggest passions are animals and helping people, and I’m so grateful to have a business that involves both. I've previously worked with adults with physical challenges and developmental disabilities, as well as those experiencing homelessness. I hope to make a positive difference in many lives throughout my life.
Mama Cheesecake
Location: Whittier
Website: https://www.mamacheesecake.com/
Instagram: @mamacheesecakela
These cheesecakes are amazingly delicious. She specializes in Gluten Free and Vegan bite size pieces, and of course Regular cheesecake. All yummy! All ingredients used are non-GMO. Gluten free and vegan ingredients are soy and nut free! You can tell each ingredient is chosen with care and much thought. And it's not just cheesecakes, but a variety of gourmet products that will please everyone! From macaroons to lemon bars and good ole cheesecake, these are the best around. Marian is truly the heart of her company. Baker, recipe creator, marketing manager, delivery truck... EVERYTHING. And she does it all with a smile on her face. I also lobe how she gives back to the community and donates to breast cancer foundations whenever she can via her sales.
Swift Cafe
Location: 4279 1/2 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008
Website: https://swift-la.com
Instagram: @theofficialswiftcafe
It serves clean and wholesome meals that nourish the body! It was created with the help of a nutritionist to provide healthy options in a community where health issues are a growing concern. She wants to show people that you can have food that is healthy and good for you in addition to being tasty. Chef Kyndra makes BOMB food! She opened up her cafe in Aug of 2019 and has been surviving the pandemic so far because I’m sure people can’t get enough of her food. She also owns Ooh La La catering. She is such a hard worker and is SO generous
Weecare
Website: https://weecare.co
Instagram: @weecare.co
WeeCare aims to make affordable, world-class daycares accessible to all families with their network of home daycare providers. In addition to providing childcare, WeeCare also developed Fever Free technology to help manage the health of every location and was able to keep 90% of their locations open during the pandemic to help serve essential workers. WeeCare prides itself on community and diversity and strives to empower individuals, especially women, by helping them start and operate their own childcare business. Jessica is a hardworking mom of two who runs 4 preschool programs herself and built a company of diverse backgrounds and demographics. She's a sharp, mission driven founder who is committed to creating affordable and accessible childcare for all.
Board and Brush Santa Clarita
Location: 24417 Main St, Santa Clarita, CA 91321
Website: https://boardandbrush.com/santaclarita/
Instagram: @boardandbrushsantaclarita
Discount Code: $10 off to new customers with the code MYFM10
We are the only instructor-led wood sign making studio in the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys. We help customers create a beautiful piece of home decor from raw wood to finished product. We give back to our community every chance we get and love being a place where friends & families can gather and get back to using their hands in a way that doesn’t involve technology! DIY! I am a physical therapist by trade and started Board and Brush 2 years ago. I opened it as a way to continue being with & teaching people. I love what I do, but COVID hit us hard. We would LOVE to welcome new customers into our studio.
The Coder School
Location: 5100 Orangethorpe Ave, La Palma, CA 90623
Website: https://www.thecoderschool.com/locations/cerritos/
Instagram: @thecoderschool_cerritos
Dipali is the owner of The Coder School Cerritos/La Palma where they teach young students how to write computer software. Coding is a basic literacy in the digital age, and it’s important for kids to understand the technology around them. Coding is the language of the future, and it fosters creativity, problem solving, and logical thinking skills that transcends into any occupation. She aims to motivate young students, especially girls, to chase their dreams and help them bridge the gender gap in the tech sector. She runs this business on her own as both a woman-owned business and a minority owned business. She’s a single mom of 2 boys living in an Indian culture that has a hard time accepting strong women being told that her value is immeasurable without a man and has limitations due to age. She is also a marathoner, fitness enthusiast, and blogger.
Yoga-Urt
Location: Echo Park and Glendale
Website: https://yoga-urt.com
Instagram: @yoga_urt
Facebook: @yogaurt1
The owner and the creator of these delicious treats is so talented! They have the most delicious, organic soft serve and smoothies all made from scratch with flavors that are rich, creamy and non-dairy! They have 2 locations – Glendale and Echo Park. The owner of Yoga-urt is Melissa Schulman. She had a dream of bringing together the community, and providing a healthier alternative. Developing Yoga-urt took over three years of research and getting funding. Through hard work, she has persevered this past year.
Volta Fit
Location: 15075 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Website: https://shop.volta.fit
Instagram: @volta.fit
Volta is a woman owned gym in Huntington Beach Ca. It is a safe, clean, blissful environment where members come to feel at home. You come for a workout, and leave joyfully anticipating your next visit. Vy Nguyen, is the hardest worker I know. And others would say the same. She works tirelessly, day in and day out. She is the kindest and most generous person.
Maintco
Location: 20 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502
Website: https://maintco.com
Twitter: @maintcoc
Facebook: @maintcocorp
Maintco is a full service construction and maintenance company, and a FEMALE owned business in a traditionally MALE dominated industry. During the pandemic Maintco pivoted to include/specialize in helping businesses reopen safely and Covid compliant. This involves anything from deep cleaning, to installing plexiglass, to constructing social distancing barriers, etc. They have made the best out of a bad situation and help to keep their clients and customers able to keep their OWN businesses going during this time. It’s a true way of doing business while also helping out the community. (They have/are donating some of these services to charity organizations as well). Inna Tuler is a former concert pianist who emigrated here from Israel with her husband and kids over 30 years ago. She is a completely self-made female entrepreneur and an example of the American dream. She is on several local charity boards, loves fitness and is a Grandma!
HERS Advisors
Location: Long Beach
Website: https://www.hersadvisors.com
Instagram: @hers_advisors
Facebook: @HERSadvisors
HERS Advisors is a women-owned, mission-driven diversity and inclusion recruitment and consulting firm with a goal to move the needle of diversity, equity, belonging, inclusion and accessibility via proactive sourcing and recruitment of skilled professionals in the Legal and Healthcare IT sectors. HERS performs strategic direct-hire and contingent contract search along with Diversity and Inclusion focused Talent Acquisition program consultation on behalf of progressive organizations, corporations and professionals seeking to better their corporate social responsibility through improved representation. The world only changes when we change it, together. Co-founded by Partners Deirdre Hudson and Christy Moore, HERS Advisors (Honest.Ethical.Responsible.Solutions) was created by 16 year veterans of the legal and healthcare IT recruitment arena. Offering vast candidate/client networks in the thousands from a background of talent acquisition and HR consulting, we identify skilled talent to meet all needs.
Cibo Italiano
Location: 29941 Aventura ste i, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Website: https://www.ciboital.com
Instagram: @ciborsm
Facebook: @ciborsm
My mother that opened this business about 2.5 years ago. She hand makes pasta, Italian cakes and pastries, paninis, bread and has so much more, not to mention her fast growing family of returning customers and happy new comers. Born in Italy and immigrated to America, my mom brings the discipline of Italian heritage to owning a business. She puts the passion and love into her cooking and anyone can find her business to be a place of home style cooking and home style love.
Handmade by Lynds
Website: https://www.handmadebylynds.com
Instagram: @handmadebylynds
My friend Lyndsay makes GORGEOUS clay earrings. She was on her way to becoming a pilot when Covid hit and her lessons came to an abrupt halt. She started making earrings as a creative outlet, but soon realized it could help support herself. Since then it has taken off! With beautiful colors and unique styles, Handmade by Lynds earrings are the perfect accessory for your Zoom meetings! The best part is she will make anything CUSTOM. So you can get the earrings you've always wanted, that match with whatever look you've cooked up. A flight attendant and pilot-in-training, Lyndsay also loves getting crafty. When she’s not flying planes and designing earrings, Lyndsay enjoys spending time with her husband and cat in their downtown Los Angeles apartment. She's counting down the days until it is safe to travel again!
What A Spectacle Optometry
Location: 30593 Gateway Pl, Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Website: https://www.whataspec.com/
Instagram: @whataspectacleoptometry
Facebook: @whataspectacleoptometry
What A Spectacle Optometry is a family friendly, inviting, local optometry office is nestled in South Orange County. Not only is it a woman-owned business, but the front office staff also both happen to be women; so a workplace where women support women. This woman-owned business has sponsored summer reading programs for local youth, has employed high school females as interns/aides to assist with the inner workings of running an optometry office, and has participated in many community events (pre-Covid 19). Dr. Michelle Ahumada, O.D. is not only an optometrist, but a mother of 3 children, 2 dogs, and a husband. She loves to bike ride, bake, knit, and spend time at the beach when she is not at the office helping patients see clearer.
Dedicated Shopper
Website: http://www.dedicatedshopper.com
Facebook: @dedicatedshopper
Dedicated Shopper has cared about their customers since it started in 2017. She offers grocery delivery. She goes the extra mile to make sure her customers are taken care of. When COVID hit, she was right there (essential worker) making sure her customers had their grocery items on time even if she had to go to a few stores in the process. She even runs errands and/or brings restaurant food (if needed) to some of her customers. This is a more personalized service than most delivery as you just call in orders over the phone, by e-mail and/or text. Stephanie Fields is my daughter. She found a need and filled it. She caters to people that don't have or use computers, and don't want to spend hours completing grocery lists online. Customers love her as she always ensures her customer's needs are taken care of.
My Swim Buddy
Location: Irvine
Website: http://www.msbaquatics.com
Instagram: @myswimbuddyschool
Facebook: @MySwimBuddy
My Swim Buddy is devoted to making each kid a safer, stronger swimmer. COVID had restricted sports & pool access which has increased the rate of drowning. By teaching just one student to swim we can save lives. My Swim Buddy focuses on the individual student to work on the skills they need, instead of just matching a swimmer to a level. It is individualized coaching that reaches students from 6 months to adulthood at any level of comfort or ability. Tiffany Boykin is the best swim instructor you will find. She can read what each swimmer needs and how they learn in order to create a safe swimming environment that allows her students to not only learn a survival skill, but the life attributes that only sports can provide.
Summer Art Academy And Art Camp
Location: Valley Village + Augora Hills
Instagram: @valleyartcamp & @agouraartcamp
Facebook: @SummerArtAcademyValley
Ashley and I (Elizabeth) own the camps and last year due to Covid-19 we had to shut down our doors to all the kids and families and just like that we lost our entire income last year. When the pandemic started we knew kids would need art more than ever, so we launched a FREE eight week Art Camp program via zoom for ANY family from anywhere to log in and have their kids have some type of fun and distraction. We did art, science, games, etc, and the kids, parents were so grateful! We were able to bring some love, joy and creativity during that time through art. Our Summer Art Camp 2021 schedules are now available! Ashley and Elizabeth have been working with children for over 20 years, as camp counselors, as teachers and as owners of this incredible summer camp. They are as selfless as they come and are always looking for the best interest of children everywhere they go and everywhere they teach.
LGH Ceramics
Location: 7720 Jefferson St, Paramount, CA 90723
Facebook: @LGHceramics
This place is celebrating their 20 years of operation this month. It was all started as a hobby that turned into a business that is supporting her family. The employees love their community and enjoy meeting everyone who has come in. They are always welcoming and grateful for any and all support. Times have been tough but they are still holding on and pushing through. Luz absolutely love the work she does. This type of stuff (ceramics, painting, etc.) started off as a hobby for her. That is until a friend said she should start up a business. 20 years later she is still loving it.
The Softball Group
Location: 24001 Vía Fabricante #906, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Website: https://thesoftballgroup.com
Instagram: @the_softball_group/
Facebook: @TheSoftballGroup
For 20 years, The Softball Group (TSG) has been helping girls find confidence through sports. Kim, the owner, spends extra time with each player making sure the cleats, bat, glove, helmet everything is comfortable and right for her. Studies have proven that girls who play sports do better in school & have confidence throughout their life. Kim has been an advocate for youth girls sports for her entire life. She has created 3 different softball leagues around the US & has opened up a store that actually cares about the athlete not the bottom line. She makes sure the sport is fun again.
ivy & pine boutique
Location: 474 E 17th St Suite 204, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Website: https://shopivyandpine.com
Instagram: @shopivyandpine
Facebook: @shopivyandpine
ivy & pine boutique was created for the confident, feminine and badass babe. I wanted to create a shopping space where customers felt comfortable, like hanging out at a friend’s awesome loft. I take great care in the styles I bring in and make sure to also bring in local, women-owned businesses to showcase. Owning my own store has been a dream for over 10 years and this past weekend I finally opened my brand new location in Costa Mesa. I worked a full-time job while building my brand and while it wasn’t easy, finally achieving my dream makes it worth it.
Jassy’s Treats
Location: Alhambra
Instagram: @jassystreats
Facebook: @Jassystreats1
Jasmin Sanchez of Jassy's Treats is a super talented cookie artist. I have known Jasmin for 11 years and have seen her talent develop. She is very innovative in applying her skills at cookie artistry. Her cookies taste great and look amazing. She is a mom of 3 really great kids. She loves to make cookies and spending time with her family. The Sanchez family likes doing outdoor sports and camping. We are happy to have her a neighbor.
The Royal K9
Location: 4691 Valley View Ave, Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Website: https://www.theroyalresortoc.com/
Instagram: @theroyalk9oc
Facebook: @theroyalk9
The Royal K9 is owned by three amazing women they all had successful careers in dog training prior to starting The Royal K9 a year ago, March 2020. Despite the pandemic, they were able to build the business and expand it to include boarding into their services. All three are hardworking, compassionate and super fun to work with - the sky is the limit for those three ladies!
Lodestone Academy
Location: 1201 S Beach Blvd #108, La Habra, CA 90631
Website: https://lodestoneacademy.net
Instagram: @Lodestoneacademy
Facebook: @lodestoneacademyoc
Lodestone Academy is a tutoring center for students in grades TK through eighth. We service families in La Habra, La Mirada, Buena Park, Fullerton, Brea, and East Whittier. Over the last four years we have been offering rich, quality programs such as math, English, Spanish, Korean, and summer programs. Lodestone Academy uses an innovative, customized study program based on the needs of students. We utilize diagnostic assessments and prescriptive study programs to enable every student to learn at his or her own pace. We listen to parents needs and work together to achieve their goal.