Areas of Expertise

• Finance
• Commercial and Business Banking

Experience

Damon is a Navy veteran with over 25 years of experience in the commercial and business banking industry. He has managed and financed hundreds of businesses from large, syndicated deals to micro businesses. Besides financing, Damon takes the time to understand all facets of a business to help solve their problems. He also has a history of volunteering for organizations that support local communities in the Inland Empire. Damon has served as a board member for Steven’s Hope for Children and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Ontario. In addition, he has volunteered for organizations such as Shoes That Fit. Damon’s passion for small business comes from his grandmother who owned and operated restaurants in the City of Los Angeles for over 30 years. She told Damon about the struggles of owning a small business as a woman and how she persevered over the years. He is a fourth-generation Angeleno that has lived in the Inland Empire for the last 30 years. Damon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from California State University, Los Angeles.

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Areas of Expertise

• Traditional and Digital Marketing
• Social Media
• Branding
• Graphic Design
• Integrated Marketing
• Public Relations

Experience

Edgar is an entrepreneur dedicated to developing and elevating other entrepreneurs. For over 12 years, he ran an integrated marketing and communications agency focused on digitizing and growing chambers of commerce, nonprofit business associations, and entrepreneurial ecosystems across the U.S. Edgar has also worked on marketing small business programs developed by Southwest Airlines, Google, Goldman Sachs, Twitter, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Staples, YouTube, Wells Fargo, AFLAC, and more. In addition, he has served as Marketing and Social Media Director for Maria Shriver’s California Women’s Conference and was a member of the NASA Social Media Civilian Team for several years. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Edgar served as Small Business Program Manager at the LA Area Chamber of Commerce and then went on to serve as Executive Director of the Latin Business Association. There, he designed and produced a multi-million-dollar business convention that featured two U.S. Presidents as keynote speakers and drew more than 10,000 entrepreneurs from across the U.S. Currently as a bilingual consultant, Edgar assists in traditional, digital, and integrated marketing, branding, design, messaging, PR through social media, and event marketing for businesses and nonprofits in Texas and California. He holds a communications degree with an emphasis in graphic design, and an MBA with a focus on social entrepreneurship.

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Areas of Expertise

• Accounting
• Bookkeeping
• QuickBooks Pro
• Payroll
• Tax Preparation

Experience

Giovandi earned a Bachelor of Science degree from California Polytechnic University, Pomona. She has worked in the accounting, and tax preparation field for over 30 years. Giovandi is an entrepreneur, IRS enrolled agent, member of the CA Society of Enrolled Agents, QuickBooks Pro consultant, and member of the Inland Valley Chamber of Commerce. As an entrepreneur, she specializes in accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll for small to medium-sized businesses and organizations. Giovandi has assisted hundreds of companies and organizations with business formations including corporations, non-profits, and LLCs. As an IRS Enrolled Agent, the highest credential the IRS awards, she has represented taxpayers (Corporations, Non-Profits, and LLC) before the Internal Revenue Service, the State of CA Franchise Tax Board, and various state and local tax agencies.

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Areas of Expertise

• Outreach Events
• Marketing
• Strategic Planning
• Project Management
• Business Training

Experience
Jackie Guilfucci has a successful history of identifying and securing new business opportunities in transportation, education, and public works market sectors. She was responsible for identifying new business opportunities on behalf of prime contractors and teaming opportunities with new and existing clients.

The best advice I have ever been given is:

Be transparent and ethical.

Languages:

Spanish

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Areas of Expertise

• Construction (General and Specialty Contractors)
• Finance and Accounting Operations
• M&A sell-side advisory
• Real Estate (multi-family, self-storage)
• Renewable Energy (solar photovoltaics)
• Retail and Wholesale

Experience
Kelly grew up in an entrepreneurial family and worked in various roles in each new business venture, directly exposing her to business operations at a young age and influencing her career path. This experience plays a significant role in her passion for advocating for small business owners. As a consultant to small businesses, she advises clients on how to uncover new opportunities or create new efficiencies to optimize operations within their business.

The best advice I have ever been given is:

From the sadness, learn something; from the happiness, learn something. From the setback, learn something and even from the success learn something. Never stop learning from any situation in life, for that is where the wisdom lies.

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Areas of Expertise

• Bookkeeping

Experience
Laura worked for over 30 years assisting local businesses while working at a local chamber of commerce. She currently assists with operations by facilitating the disbursement and accounts payable process.

The best advice I have ever been given is:

Whatever you do, give it 100%

Areas of Expertise

• Startup
• Business Plan/Business Formation
• Business Management/Operations
• Financial Analysis/Projections
• Quickbooks/Payroll
• Leadership
• Clarifying Vision/Mission
• Service Based Marketing
• Community Integration
• Customer Service

Experience

Nicolette launched her first successful startup at the age of 20 in the fitness service and retail industry. Since then, she has built and led multiple thriving business ventures. One of Nicolette’s ventures reached #2 in the national transportation industry by providing extraordinary customer service and driven by her corporate vision, resulting in $4.7M gross revenue by year three. Now she devotes time to lead wine industry education and experiences, pours into kids with challenging lives, and guides budding entrepreneurs.

The best advice I have ever been given is:

Everything rises and falls on leadership (John Maxwell)

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Areas of Expertise

• Strategic Management
• International Business
• Entrepreneurship
• Tech
• Sales
• Marketing

Experience

Paul has over 20 years of experience teaching at the university level and consulting entrepreneurs. He has previously started two non-profit organizations and comes from a family of small business owners. Paul currently teaches entrepreneurship, strategic management, and international business at several universities in southern California. His consultancy experience has included businesses across various industries, including medical, manufacturing, and software industries. Paul holds a Ph.D. in Entrepreneurial Management from the University of Twente in the Netherlands, focusing on the network development of global start-up firms and how technology entrepreneurs develop their networks to start and grow their companies. Before starting his academic career, Paul worked as a business development officer in a high-tech startup and worked in various sales and marketing roles.

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Areas of Expertise

• Startups
• Business Planning
• E-commerce (Etsy)
• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Event Management
• Strategic Planning
• Leadership

Experience

Rachel has a passion for driving success and fostering growth. Throughout her career, Rachel has made significant contributions across nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, as well as small businesses and startups. Her versatility and adaptability have allowed her to thrive in various settings, consistently delivering outstanding results. Beyond her consultancy work, Rachel is an accomplished business owner. She has a talent for launching thriving e-commerce stores on Etsy and is proud to be a top seller on the platform. Rachel has also been featured on CNBC, the Today Show, and Business Insider and loves to help her clients bring their entrepreneurial stories to life to attract attention and grow their businesses. Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship with a minor in Finance. She also has an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Management from California State University, San Bernardino, and advanced studies in Positive Organizational Psychology at Claremont Graduate University, enabling her to apply an insightful and holistic approach to her consulting practice.

The best advice I have ever been given is:

If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.

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Areas of Expertise

• Commercial and Industrial Real Estate

Experience
Robert has extensive experience in commercial real estate serving in several senior management positions including President & CEO at The Rancon Companies, a large multi-faceted real estate company with brokerage offices in SoCal and developer/owner of $300+ million (per SEC) of commercial real estate. Robert also served as President and COO of CataList Homes, Vice Chairman of the Board and Director of Fallbrook & Community National Bank, and was the President and Co-founder of Benchmark Escrow, a full-service escrow company in Los Angeles County.

The best advice I have ever been given is:

Debt is the devil

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Areas of Expertise

• Go-to-Market Strategy
• Business Management
• Strategic Planning
• Sales and Business Development
• Corporate Partnerships

Experience

Sergio has seven years of experience in business management and start-ups within various industries such as fintech, e-commerce, licensing/brand management, cannabis/hemp, and spirits. With a primary expertise in sales and business development, he has also learned how to properly execute marketing, operations, and strategy of small-midsize businesses. Sergio is looking to return to graduate school for his MBA in order to continue developing his business knowledge.

The best advice I have ever been given is:

You make your mistakes, your mistakes never make you.

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Areas of Expertise

• Aerospace and Defense Industry
• Procurement Strategy
• Subcontracting Pre-Award / Post-Award Performance
• Manufacturing and Operations
• Root Cause, Corrective Action, and Variance Analysis

Experience
Victor has extensive experience in the Aerospace & Defense industry and is knowledgeable in the process of requesting information, quotes, and proposal processes solicited at the U.S. Federal level. He has worked in supplier management, procurement, manufacturing, and operations roles, developing and executing strategies to achieve company goals. He has also been a speaker at several supplier diversity conferences, speaking on topics including “Demystifying the RFx Processes,” “Responding to Proposal Solicitations,” and “Doing Business within the Aerospace Industry.”

The best advice I have ever been given is:

Always take the high road.

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