The NEW Women’s Business Center (NEW-WBC), an SBA program designed to spark economic mobility for women entrepreneurs living in Los Angeles Country, recently launched Made in LA, a new 7-week accelerator program for women in the fashion industry. The program teaches practical skills and foundational knowledge needed to start and manage a fashion business. It is funded by the Small Business Technical Assistance Expansion Program (SB TAEP) and exclusive to entrepreneurs living in Los Angeles County.
The NEW-WBC provides educational resources and tools, such as industry-specific workshops and 1-on-1 consultations, to ensure women business owners are on the right track for economic independence through small business ownership and management. Because they are funded by the Federal and State Government, they are able to offer their services complimentary or at very low cost which has enabled them to help thousands of entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Learn more about the programs and how to sign up for their complimentary webinar workshops.
In addition to offering education to those in the fashion industry, NEW-WBC also provides multilingual (Spanish, Russian and Armenian) resources for those in the restaurant industry, general businesses and other industry-specific businesses as well as who are suffering from Covid-19 pandemic.
About NEW Economics for Women-Women’s Business Center
The NEW Women’s Business Center is an SBA program whose mission is to enable and empower women entrepreneurs through advocacy, outreach, education and support. For over 34 years NEW has been driven by a mission to build economic mobility for women, especially Latinas and their families, through wealth creation, housing, education, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. Visit www.new-wbc.org for more information.
About the Team:
Maria Rangel
Fashion Program Manager, Designer
Maria Rangel is a costume fashion designer, has over 12 years of experience in the fashion industry www.mariakrangel.com. She has worked as a developer in the industry of bullet proof clothing, motorcycle clothing, costume clothing industries among others. In her short career, she has designed for Colombian musician artists, won Producer’s Choice Award among international designers, has been nominated as Best Costume Designer and loves to share her knowledge with entrepreneurs.
Ruth Garcia-Corrales
Program Director, Author, Entrepreneur and Women Advocate
Ruth Garcia-Corrales is the NEW Director of the SBA Women’s Businesses Center in Los Angeles. For her leadership, innovative workshops, providing access to capital, and exceeding the Center’s goals, Ruth was awarded The Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award for District IX from the United States Small Businesses Administration (SBA). District IX includes California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, and Guam. Before the Women’s Business Center Ruth managed the West Valley Business Source Center a program from the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office. She exceeded her goal and was declared the top center in the first quarter of the program for 2019. Innovative programs and client services characterize the program led by her. She is the current Director for New Economics for Women- Women’s Business Center, an SBA program that recently opened. Just in the six months, the program has provided over 300 free webinars with attendance of 2782 clients, creating new businesses, and giving one on one consultation even through the pandemic.
Ruth is a former Consul General of the Republic of Costa Rica for the U.S. West Coast, appointed by the President of Costa Rica. She holds a degree in Engineering from the University of Costa Rica, co-founder of the Central American Federation of Nations, composed of all the Consul Generals of C.A., working together on issues affecting their communities. She is the author of What it Takes, from $20 to $200 Million. Ruth has many honors and among them are: The ImpreMedia’s Distinguished Woman (Mujer Distinguida) award, Civic Service Leadership Award by League of Women Voters of Los Angeles.
Marianna Karapetyan
Fashion Program Operations Assistant, Equality, Education and Women’s rights activist.
Marianna, has over 7 years of experience in business management, project management, marketing and event design. She has a passion for fashion and has been in the music industry for over 15 years as the “1st Armenian female rapper“. Has written her own lyrics and sang harmonies for her music album RAP. www.LilMakMarialena.com. Her designed head-dress was showcased at the Craft & Folk Art Museum of LA. She has made and altered her own clothes, jewelry and bedazzled her accessories. She has also planned, and designed various events and worked as a makeup artist and stylist for music videos, events, and photoshoots. She has been an advocate for social justice, women’s rights, children and education.
