Orange County is a great place to start a business. With the right resources, mentors, and community support, entrepreneurs can turn their dreams into reality. The Asian Business Association is the largest organization of its kind in over 30 years and provides a free cultural co-working center for local non-profit organizations in Asia and the Pacific Islands. It is a members-only organization with a chapter in Orange County and is the only quota-based organization for all women entrepreneurs.
Lorraine, an adjunct professor of Sustainable Business at the Presidio Graduate School and MBA holder in Finance and executive MBA in Sustainable Business, is a passionate leader committed to breaking down barriers to state contracting for California's diverse small business sector. She has grown the organizations of the Asian Business Association into the largest in more than 30 years, expanding their collective impact through community-based partnerships and outreach activities. David Fazio is the founder and president of Helix Opportunity LLC, a social enterprise that specializes in the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce, as well as in the consumer market, through organizational development and consulting, training and staffing in inclusive design. The Orange County branch holds meetings on the third Thursday of the month at the Tierney Center in Tustin.
Ana Martínez has more than 15 years of experience working in economic development and business consulting. She is responsible for all relationships with the community and for the implementation of business-level initiatives that promote and improve the well-being of families and communities in the Central Valley and coastal region. Director Gray has been running her own business for two decades, working with two small business development centers, and running a business association and foundation. This has given her experience and knowledge needed to advocate for small businesses.
Matt was the main point of contact for external and governmental issues, coordinating regional policy development with elected officials and with subregional, state and federal stakeholders in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Brett Melone is the director of business strategies for California FarmLink, a certified not-for-profit state community development financial institution with a mission to invest in the prosperity of farmers and ranchers through loans, education and access to land. Orange County offers an abundance of resources to help businesses succeed. With mentors, tools, community support, and organizations like Asian Business Association, Helix Opportunity LLC, California FarmLink, entrepreneurs can make their dreams come true.
