LISC LA Awards PPP Loans to Exceptional Businesses Serving Their Communities
5.11.2020
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LISC StoriesEconomic Development
Everyday small businesses serve their communities by doing what they do best. For a wide range of offerings, their provision of high quality services and goods is a service to their clients. Today these companies are facing a difficult challenge as they try to cope with measures to keep our city safe while sustaining their businesses. In response, through government funding LISC LA is awarding PPP Loans to these small businesses that do exceptional work in Los Angeles.
We recently had the pleasure of speaking with one of our recent PPP Loan recipients to ask her about how her business is coping and the PPP application process.
Dr Anshu Batra, MD is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician who has been in practice for over 20 years. The work she does is truly service to our Los Angeles community as she helps families and children with her many years of experience and care.
In mid-march, Dr. Batra had to close her office in compliance with new restrictions put into place by the city. While Dr. Batra continued to work with her older patients through telehealth platforms, many of her patients, particularly young patients and families, would not be able to be serviced remotely. The Doctor’s practice found itself unable to serve many of their patients, and financially, it was taking its toll too, so she turned to the Paycheck Protection Program.
Dr. Batra first tried applying to receive a PPP loan for her practice through several lenders, but found herself disappointed with the process, until she came to LISC LA. Working one-on-one with our loan officer, Emma Kloppenburg, she was able to work through the application process.
“LISC LA was just terrific in terms of supporting me through the process, specifically my contact person Emma Kloppenburg was amazing . . . She supported me and really hand-held me through the process and helped push through my application . . . She was so professional and so patient, and kept me in the loop every step of the way. I thought it was so unusual for this process, with my experience with other lenders, and it was so needed. LISC LA is a champion for the small businesses.”
Dr. Batra has now been awarded the loan and says it will allow her to manage her business and continue to service her patients with peace of mind. Had it not been for the loan, Dr. Batra would not have known how she and her staff would have got through these difficult times, but it would have impacted her ability to run her business and serve her patients. LISC LA is happy to support key businesses that do exceptional work, like Dr. Batra’s practice, in these challenging times.
Here are four other small businesses LISC LA believes in and our communities love.
Rocket Fresh, Los Angeles, CA
This small business serves up ready-to-eat, healthy meals in Los Angeles out of their facility at Amped Kitchens (another PPP Loan recipient). The meals are a creation of Le Cordon Bleu Chef Armen Thomas, and it is no surprise that Rocket Fresh has all five star ratings for their service online.
While regularly Rocket Fresh supplies their ready-to-eat meals to retail locations, as well as delivering them to customers, they are now serving primarily through delivery. In response, they are offering free local delivery for customers, and we hope a PPP Loan will help support Rocket Fresh as they continue to adapt.
Sergio Lopez Roofing, Southern California
A provider of roofing services for residential roof replacement and repairs throughout Southern California, Sergio Lopez Roofing is a stand out small business. They are a full-service, licensed provider, and the perfect instance of a business that does what they do best to serve their community.
Over 19 years of working with the community, reviews for their company are all praise for the wonderful service they provide. As a PPP Loan recipient, LISC LA hopes to see them in business for many more years.
Makoto Sushi, Encino, CA
If there was ever a sign of the Los Angeles community’s love of Makoto Sushi, it must be their continuing popularity since their opening in 1994. Makoto Sushi serves fresh sushi, sashimi, and Japanese dishes that have kept Angelenos coming back to this local Encino spot for over twenty years for what some Angelenos call the best sushi in Southern California.
In response to the current situation, Makoto Sushi is even offering curbside pick-up, bringing their ever-popular servings to the cars of their customers. With the award of a PPP Loan, LISC LA and our community hope to see Makoto Sushi around for many more years.
Phuket Thai Restaurant, Redondo Beach, CA
Located on the coast of Los Angeles in Redondo Beach, Phuket Thai Restaurant has been a local favorite for many years. Their restaurant has been awarded the “Best Thai Award, Reader Choice” by The Beach Report, and “Best of the Beach” by Easy reader for nine years since 2005. It is no surprise that their community loves their food.
In the current situation, their restaurant is adapting by offering free delivery within 2.5 miles of their restaurant, and special prices for those further away. LISC LA hopes that the award of a PPP Loan will support this community favorite in a crucial time.
