Open Air Economy Collaborative
An initiative investing in Los Angeles’ Black and Latina
micro-entrepreneurs
Mirna’s Comida Casera
Who We Are
The Open Air Economy Collaborative is a Los Angeles-based partnership that provides holistic business support in the form of capital, business coaching, legal assistance and financial education to Black and Latina street vendors and other micro-entrepreneurs who operate in the ‘Open Air Economy’.
For decades, street vendors and other micro-entrepreneurs, the majority of whom are Black and Latina have operated their beloved food and craft businesses without the full support or legal recognition that other businesses enjoy. Street Vending became legal in Los Angeles in 2018, but street vendors continue to face immense obstacles to formalizing their businesses including difficult permitting processes and limited access to capital.
The Open Air Economy Collaborative provides integrated services to connect Black and Latina street vendors, and help them build and grow their businesses.
What We Do
Access to Capital
Through micro-loan and lending circle programs, the Collaborative increases access to capital for Black and Latina ‘open air’ entrepreneurs in LA County. These micro-lending programs offer loan products on healthy terms that help members establish or build credit, invest in essential business needs, and scale their businesses.
Sabrena Whigham, director of EQUIP Community Glee Club and Jamella Brown, owner of Mella B's Potcorn LLC.
Tailored Business Coaching
With over 30 years of experience, the Collaborative provides tailored one-on-one and group business coaching to underserved entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout LA County. Coaching includes support to acquire permits, develop business plans, prepare taxes, manage expenses and acquire inventory.
Patty Archuleta, clothing street vendor based in South Los Angeles
Financial Systems Education
Navigating the financial industry is critical to a micro-entrepreneurs’ success, yet it is difficult to do without an understanding of how it works. The Collaborative provides comprehensive and culturally relevant financial preparedness information to ‘open air’ entrepreneurs as critical education for making business decisions.
Cecilia Jimenez, jewelry street vendor based in Westlake/Macarthur Park
Legal Assistance & Advisory
Policies and protocols tremendously influence the ‘open air’ businesses. The Collaborative hosts legal clinics and provides customized legal assistance to ensure ‘open air’ entrepreneurs comply with rules, and understand their rights to run businesses.
Antoinette Morris, owner of AM Luxury Love Cosmetics
How We Do It
The Open Air Economy Collaborative runs a ‘Circle of Success’ model to serve its members and change the financial and political systems influencing them and their businesses. The model invests in members by providing access to critical information, exposure to key tools, business coaching, capital provision, and connections to allies. By going through the ‘circle of success’, members are enabled to become leaders of local economies. The Circle of Success follows these steps:
Accessing Foundational Information
Members learn their rights as vendors and microentrepreneurs and receive information to guide their actions as business owners and make decisions about their businesses.
Learning & Getting Exposure
Members learn about microloan products and engage in educational programs to elevate their knowledge about financial services and institutions.
Receiving Investments & Making Connections
Members receive microloans, are connected to allies, and are encouraged to develop their community leadership skills.
Making Informed Choices
Members receive tailored business coaching to strengthen their business models, strategies, and tools.
“Paying it Forward”
Members become mentors to others in their community and pass on their knowledge and access to services.
