Emerging Business Support

Our Emerging Business Support Program is the only support for low-income small business owners in Central and East Contra Costa County that is offered in participants’ own language and specifically addresses the barriers of this population. To date, MI has formalized over 230 small businesses handyman services, housecleaning, food industry, landscaping, florists, online sales, contractors, hair salons, retain, clothing alterations and organizing.

The most viable employment pathway for many community members who have been excluded from traditional employment is microenterprise.

“I feel very fortunate and happy for Monument Impact’s valuable support. With the funding received, I was able to make some upgrades and changes to my home childcare classroom. . . . I am more excited than ever, motivated and committed to continue giving my best service to the little ones who will be our future heroes in our communities.”

Immigrant entrepreneurs have the power to control their own livelihoods and make significant contributions to their community and local economy.  According to the Office of Advocacy, U.S. SBA, there were 125,622 small businesses in Contra Costa County in 2022, making up 99.96 percent of all businesses in the county. In the previous eight years, self-employment has increased by 25.13%.  In 2019, immigrant entrepreneurs made up 34% of the business owners in Contra Costa County in spite of making up 25.6% of the population. They generate $674.3 million in business income [New Americans in Contra Costa].

Ver en Español

Monument Impact helps small business owners in Concord, Martinez, Pleasant Hill and Antioch and, as funding permits, in other East Contra Costa cities, to formalize their businesses. Licensing a business increases professional credibility and provides small business owners with the foundation to fully promote their services. Our services include:

• One-on-one coaching to determine the licensing requirements for the particular business
• Applying for a business license in the cities of Concord and Antioch and the county
• Accompanying clients as they file applications
• Applying for a fictitious business name
• Purchasing a newspaper ad
• Applying for a seller’s permit when applicable
• Understanding requirements for establishing food-based businesses, online sales, brick and mortar businesses, and more

• Must be a resident of Concord or Antioch (residents of other cities served as funding permits)
• Have a Social Security number or ITIN
• Others may be served on an individual basis, when funding permits
• Must be prepared to formalize a service business
• Services offered by appointment only

Information in Spanish

For more information, contact Arsinoe Orihuela, Emerging Business Program Manager at arsinoe@monumentimpact.org.

To date, we have supported over 230 businesses to get their business licenses, including gardening, landscaping, handyman, window and solar panel cleaning, house cleaning, beauty salon, tax services, food truck, online sales, and more.

Please see our Business Directory here.

Negocios Hispanos de Concord
The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
City of Concord
City of Antioch
Sutter Health
Wells Fargo
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative