City of Long Beach Awards $220,000 to Level Up Small Businesses

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PRESS RELEASE

Above: Mayor Rex Richardson (center) and Economic Development Director Bo Martinez (far right) stand alongside Level Up LB participants at a culmination ceremony held Sept. 4, 2025.

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department (Department) has awarded $220,000 in grants to 24 businesses that have successfully completed its Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program (Level Up LB). Level Up LB provides local entrepreneurs with essential support and resources to help small businesses grow and thrive.

"The Level Up LB Program embodies Long Beach's dedication to cultivating entrepreneurship and sustaining a vibrant, business-friendly city," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "Each investment in our local small businesses sparks new opportunities, drives innovation and enriches the fabric of our community."

The Level Up LB application period for the program's second cohort was announced in February. The Department led the selection process and coordinated program activities, with support from local partners including Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, Small Business Development Center and Visit Long Beach. The City received 229 applications for the program, of which 121 qualified for review by a selection panel. Panelists consisted of City staff and representatives from the City's Economic Development Commission, local business organizations and small businesses. Businesses were scored and selected for their need and readiness to participate, the potential impact of the program to their business and diversity of representation across all parts of the city and multiple industries. Twenty-four businesses, which include a mix of restaurants, retail shops and health and wellness facilities throughout the city, were selected to participate.

Participating entrepreneurs completed a series of workshops, received personalized business counseling and established comprehensive business plans over the course of the 10-week program. Twenty small businesses have been awarded $10,000 in grant funding. Additionally, four more businesses that were selected as alternates and successfully completed the program were each awarded $5,000 grants. Businesses also received a one-year membership to the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and a marketing package from Visit Long Beach.

Selected businesses include:

• Andrade's Notary & Tax Service
• California Locksmith Company
• Coffee Parlor
• Confidential Coffee
• El Paisa, LLC
• Elations Extension Lounge & Hair Collection
• Encore Awards
• Dieseltronics Injection Service
• Dreamy Vegan
• Firm Hands Incorporated
• Holistic Sports Acupuncture, Inc.
• Inky Dreams Tattoo LLC
• La Guanaquita Restaurant, Corp.
• Lash Brow and Beyond
• Long Beach Kickboxing
• Nueva Imagen Beauty Salon
• Pastrana's Beauty Salon
• PBS Pub & Co.
• Prozix LLC
• San Juditas Religious Articles
• The Bed Post
• The Muse Academy
• Toxic Toast Records
• Vargas Marble, LLC

"Supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses fuels the heartbeat of our local economy and helps our community grow in strength and character," said Economic Development Department Director Bo Martinez. "We're honored to stand alongside these 24 businesses on their journey and excited that Level Up LB will continue empowering entrepreneurs to reach new heights."

In May, Level Up LB was recognized by the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) with an Award of Merit in the category of programs and promotions. With over 900 members, CALED is the premier statewide professional economic development organization dedicated to advancing its members' ability to achieve excellence in delivering economic development services to their communities and business clients.

The City is committed to empowering small businesses. Over the past year, the BizCare team has provided support and resources to more than 1,884 businesses and over 467 businesses have received assistance through the Inclusive Business Navigators Program. Last year, $266,000 was awarded to 29 businesses that successfully completed the first cohort of Level Up LB.

Level Up LB aligns with Goal 4, Strategy 2 of Long Beach's Racial and Reconciliation Initiative, which focuses on partnering with local organizations to facilitate business navigation services through inclusive, neighborhood-based business centers. The program also aligns with the City's Grow Long Beach Economic Blueprint.

The second cohort of this program was made possible by one-time funding that was approved by the Long Beach City Council as part of the adopted Fiscal Year 2025 Budget.

To learn more about programs and resources for small businesses, those interested can call the City's BizCare Hotline at 562.570.4BIZ (4249) or email [email protected].

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more information about the Long Beach Economic Development Department, visit longbeach.gov/ed, follow on Facebook, X and Instagram. Stay up to date on business news by signing up for the City's Business Brief.

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