Small businesses help their local economies and serve their communities. They propel innovation, accounting for 44% of U.S. economic activity, about 63% of net new job creation since 1995, and even donate 250% more than large businesses to local nonprofits and causes.
Yet, some small businesses still face barriers when it comes to cash flow, awareness, staffing and competition.
For small retailers, signing that first lease involves a leap of faith, a carefully calculated plan and, a little help along the way.
And that’s something commercial real estate broker Yansy Naranjo is passionate about. A native Angeleno, she knows that even first-time operators have a deep understanding of the community they are serving. They’ve often grown up in the area, know the people and the places and know where the demand and gaps are.
After all, their customers are their neighbours.
That passion and desire to support her local community is something she brings to work every single day in her role as a retail broker.
With great success.
“Part of my personal philosophy is to ‘talk less, listen more’. This opens the door for deeper understanding of what the neighbourhood needs and ultimately creates more long-term success for owners and occupiers,” she says.
At a shopping centre in Gardena, representing the landlord to find great tenants, Yansy helped three entrepreneurs set up shop for the first time.
The centre welcomed three local community members who, in turn, set up a beauty supply and braid lounge, a barber shop and an herbal tea retailer who saw the opportunity to provide the community with natural, healthy options.
With Yansy’s support, not only are these retail operators serving a need for their community but fulfilling their own aspirations and propelling their businesses forward, with lasting success. Years on, the tenants Yansy found space for are still thriving, creating everyday community impact.
Read all about Yansy’s entrepreneurial tenants in the fall edition of Viewpoints in When your customers are your neighbors.
