Meet the Narrators
Nineteen owners of eighteen businesses were interviewed for this project. (One business is owned by a couple, and both were interviewed.) The narrators come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and here are some fun facts about both the owners and their businesses:
NARRATORS:
44% were born in Los Angeles County.
Almost half of the narrators are women.
56% of narrators had close family members involved in some kind of entrepreneurial activity,
Half of the owners continued family trades and half started completely new businesses.
72% attended post-secondary education—college, community college, or an extension training program—before starting their business.
56% had careers in corporations and large institutions before becoming entrepreneurs, and some experienced an initial decline in income when they transitioned to being a business owner. But all the narrators stated that they gained in other ways by being able to support their communities, keep their family legacy alive, or enjoy the freedom that came with being their own boss. When asked if they would return to their former jobs, all said no.
BUSINESSES:
Nine industries are represented in this series: construction, real estate, insurance, communications and public relations, dry cleaning, food service, mortuary, barbering, and stove repair.
Nearly half of the businesses have been in existence for fifty years or longer, with two that are second generation, three that are third generation, and one that is a fourth-generation business.
Most of the business owners’ start-up funds came from personal savings or from family and friends, as opposed to loans from banks or financial institutions.
61% own the property that houses their business.
The complete audio recordings of the interviews can be found on the UCLA Library Center for Oral History Research’s website.
John Beals is owner of Vivid Reflections Barber Shop, established 1971 in South Los Angeles.
Jeanette Bolden-Pickens is a third-generation owner of 27th Street Bakery, established in the 1930s at the heart of Central Avenue in South Central Los Angeles.
Vivian Bowers is a third-generation owner of Bowers and Sons Cleaners, established 1950, located in the historic Central Avenue corridor in South Central Los Angeles.
Jeanette Brown is owner of J'nette Quality Cleaners, which she purchased in 1990, in Gardena, California.
Sharon Coleman is owner of Coleman Construction, Inc. and Coleman Equipment Rental, Inc., established 1994, based in South Los Angeles.
Todd Davenport is a fourth-generation owner of Angelus Funeral Home, established 1925, located in South Los Angeles.
Carl Dickerson is owner of Dickerson Employee Benefits, an insurance company with national and global reach. Established 1965 in Los Angeles.
Gregory Dulan opened Dulan's on Crenshaw in 1980, following in the footsteps of his father, Adolf Dulan. Located in South Los Angeles.
Bill and Brenda Galloway are owners of the real estate business Summit Enterprises, established 1976 in Pasadena.
Kim L. Hunter is owner of Lagrant Communications, one of the largest integrated marketing communications firms focusing on the African American, Latino, and LGBT communities. Established 1990 in Los Angeles.
Lynn Allen Jeter established Lynn Allen Jeter & Associates in 1983 in Los Angeles.
Denise Legaux was the second-generation owner of Harold & Belle's, now in its third generation, owned by her son and his wife, Ryan and Jessica Legaux. Established 1969 in South Los Angeles.
Evelyn Reeves became owner of First Security Investment Company after working for its previous owner, Andre S. Vaughn, who established the business in 1952. Located in South Los Angeles.
Lonzia Shay is the second-generation owner of Little Red Hen Coffee Shop, established 1972 in Pasadena.
Gail Taylor is a third-generation owner of Woods-Valentine Mortuary, established 1928 in Pasadena.
William J. Taylor is owner of A+ Superior Moving, established in the early 1970s as part of his father's business, Robert Taylor Furniture. Located in South Los Angeles.
Lawrence Tolliver is owner of Tolliver's Barbershop, established 1967 in South Los Angeles.
Winsor Williams is owner of Antique Stove Heaven, established 1982, located in South Los Angeles.