These Local LA Women-Owned Businesses Won Big at the Superbowl

The Super Bowl LVI Business Connect program aims to identify and support minority, women, LGBTQ+, and veteran-owned businesses through professional development, networking, and contract opportunities. The program connects experienced, event-ready Los Angeles County businesses with opportunities to compete for contracts related to Super Bowl LVI. Certified companies selected for the program are profiled in the Business Connect Resource Guide, which NFL vendors and event producers use to identify and choose local suppliers to fulfill their Super Bowl LVI sub-contracting needs. LISC LA leadership Tunua Thrash-Ntuk (Executive Director) and Miranda Rodriguez (Deputy Director) sit on the LA Sports and Entertainment Commission Super Bowl Business Connect Advisory Committee. 

Twenty eight (28) of the businesses LISC LA supported with grants and technical assistance were recommended for contracting opportunities with the Superbowl. Of which, at least 11 of them got contracts with the Superbowl. LISC LA is very proud to have supported the following women-owned businesses

27th Street Bakery

This is a family business owned and operated by former Olympian Jeanette Bolde. 27th Street Bakery was founded by Jeanette's grandfather Harry Patterson and his wife in the 1930s. It was initially a restaurant converted into a specialty Bakery in 1956, manufacturing Homemade Sweet Potato Pies, Fruit Pies, and a variety of cakes. Since then, the Bakery has become a household name in the Los Angeles area. It has grown into the largest manufacturer of Sweet Potato Pies on the west coast. Today, 27th Street Bakery is an Eastside Landmark.

"We are grateful for being a part of the Business Connect Program. Our desserts were not chosen to be in the Superbowl, but our pies are in the Crypt.com arena. This was possible because we are in the program," stated Jeanette. "It was a great opportunity. The networking [in the Super Bowl LVI Business Connect program] is tremendous. Just being in a room with the 225 vendors was an honor as you get to meet different organizations that have been in business for a very, very long time like we have," she noted.

Jeanette has her eyes firmly set on continuing the legacy of her grandparents. "It's important in our community that we recognize and support legacy businesses and businesses in general. The mom and pop businesses are the backbone of this community, of this country, and we have to continue to support your small local businesses because that's how we grow." she asserted.

Cocobella Creamery LLC     

Cocobella Creamery is the brainchild of two friends, Alice Cherng and Belinda Wei, who share a love for ice cream. They developed traditional and innovative ice cream flavors free of many common allergens, such as dairy and nuts, and are gluten-free without compromising the taste. Drawing inspiration from their heritage, classic flavors, and favorite desserts, these women have offered healthier ice cream options to the community since 2017. 

"The Super Bowl LVI Business Connect program is just a great way for us to get some exposure. We have been in business for almost five years, and most people haven't heard of us. We're one store in LA, so to be able to reach that many people is definitely a very unique opportunity," Alice Cherng revealed in a recent interview with us. "I think what was most attractive about this opportunity was the exposure that we could get to have this many people try our product in a short amount of time," she stated. "To be able to run a successful business and participate in something on such a large scale is definitely very humbling."

The ice creams at Cocobella Creamery LLC are made with premium and natural ingredients like oat milk and unrefined cane sugar. They also make all their cookies,  brownies, cakes, sauces, and waffle cones from scratch. "To be able to tell our story, being really persistent and dedicated, and truly believing in what we're doing has been our driving force. I think I would love to be able to convey that part of our ethos, our philosophy, our story," said Alice.

Monica Garcia 

Monica Garcia is the founder of Girl Squad LLC, a branding, photography, and creative video agency that has been assisting women entrepreneurs in creating visual brand strategies by elevating their online presence for the past 6 years. "We were given this opportunity to be in the Super Bowl LVI Business Connect program, and I just feel like ever since we said yes, it's like we're floating," she stated. "The biggest benefit was that we received a lot of resources. There were classes. They gave us workshops. Several of the ones that we took from LISC LA were really, really helpful. The support from the staff was immensely helpful. They have wisdom and experience to share," Monica noted. She also acknowledged the importance of the relationships established via the program. "The relationships always surprise me. These are people that we're going to be long-time friends with."