Congresswoman Waters joins owner of Watts Up Mini Market to celebrate store’s ribbon-cutting and spread awareness of free business advising program

WATTS, Calif., Feb. 13, 2026-Today, Watts business owner Keisha Daniels hosted Rep. Maxine Waters, California Office of the Small Business Advocate Director Elmy Bermejo, CAMEO Network CEO Carolina Martinez, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) President & CEO Lourdes Castro Ramírez, and additional California small business advocates to celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Watts Up Mini Market - a community market that accepts EBT and SNAP and offers staples like bread and milk, ensuring local families can access nutritious food without traveling miles away to the nearest supermarket.

The event also raised awareness for SCALE (Success, Capital Access, and Leadership for Entrepreneurs), a free business coaching program - funded and administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) with support from CAMEO Network - that has connected over 13,000 entrepreneurs, including Ms. Daniels, with no-cost business advising and helped them become capital-ready. SCALE enabled Ms. Daniels to connect with Macedonia Community Development Corporation (CDC) for the coaching and funding she needed to renovate and relaunch Watts Up Mini Market.

The loan that Ms. Daniels received from Macedonia CDC was made possible through the Choice Neighborhood Implementation (CNI) grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded to HACLA in 2020. Based on community input to identify the most pressing needs of Watts, HACLA designed this microloan program for inclusion in the Choice grant to provide capital to local businesses in a community that has a long history of redlining and limited financial opportunities. The microloan program is administered by Macedonia CDC in partnership with HACLA, and helps enable the success of Section 3 businesses located in Watts.

"The Watts Up Mini Market success story is a perfect example of SCALE in action," said Elmy Bermejo, director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. "Governor Newsom's goal has always been to ensure every small business owner can access the coaching and capital they need to activate their dreams and power the state's economic growth. California understands that supporting small in every corner of our state strengthens us all."

"I am honored to see how the community has come out to support me today," said Keisha Daniels, owner of Watts Up Mini Mart. "The people of Watts need local, convenient options for food, and I'm happy to bring that back to this little corner. I want to thank Congresswoman Waters and the state of California for investing in small businesses like mine and believing in my vision."

"When we met Keisha Daniels, we knew she was going to create great things for Watts," said Marie O'Kelly Green, chair of the Board of Directors at Macedonia Community Development Corporation. "Thanks to Congresswoman Waters and programs like SCALE, we have the funding and capacity to create more success stories like this one. Our goal is to help every small business owner access the support they need to thrive."

"Throughout California, CAMEO Network members like Macedonia Community Development Corporation are helping small businesses succeed," said Carolina Martinez, CEO of CAMEO Network. "Thanks to small business champions like Congresswoman Waters and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate, we're building an environment that lifts up entrepreneurs and builds a strong economy for all."

"The reopening of the Watts Up Mini Market - a vital community asset - proves that partnership and economic opportunity create a more vibrant Watts," said Lourdes Castro Ramírez, CEO and president of HACLA. "Through our CNI microloan program, we are investing in local entrepreneurs like Keisha and other local small businesses while honoring our commitment to this community by ensuring fresh, nutritious food is always within reach for our families."

Small business owners interested in receiving support through SCALE can complete a quick intake form. Participants will be matched with appropriate resources based on their specific business needs, stage of development, and financing goals.

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