Latest news with #JPDoucette
CBS News
07-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
National Small Business Week takes over city of Lodi
LODI -- You might want to grab yourself a cup of coffee before you shop because in Lodi, National Small Business Week is taking over. "It's just really fun to work downtown and to be a part of the community," said Gracie Diaz, a barista at Brew House Coffee. Diaz has worked in countless small businesses across the city. She knows firsthand the importance of shopping local. "It's hard to own a small business," she shared. "Having the people and the community of Lodi come together to support them, it means a lot to them. They're just people that want to start up, and they're just really chasing their dreams." The city of Lodi is overwhelmingly local. Out of the nearly 2,600 businesses, nearly 94% of them are run by one to 15 employees. You can take a stroll downtown and hardly see any chain restaurants or retailers, which means small businesses are the driving force of the economy. That's why this week, the city, Lodi Chamber of Commerce and the San Joaquin County Economic Development Department are helping pave their paths to success. They've hosted free webinars, summits and are even holding a mixer later this week. But that's not all. "I was lucky enough to walk with the chief of police, and we went broke into groups and visited some local businesses to just try to understand what challenges they are facing right now and then also encourage them to utilize the resources that are out there," said J.P. Doucette, president of the Lodi Chamber of Commerce. Jennifer Pratt is a small business owner of Her Pretty Things in Lodi. Knowing that the city has her back creates a sense of security. "Sometimes being a small business owner can be very isolating," Pratt explained. "You kind of feel like you're on an island by yourself and so it's really nice to know that the city has our back and that they're trying to help us." But she and other business owners know, Lodi loves local. "You're feeding someone's family," Pratt continued. "You're putting gas in someone's tank. You're paying their mortgage. It really makes a difference and you get to know these people. On the flip side, we get to know our customers, and so we get to build those connections with our customers, which is also really rewarding." This year, the city is featuring two initiatives -- Lodi's Microloan Program and the County's Spark Relief Grant. The microloan program offers financing of up to $50,000 to first-time borrowers or owners who have had a hard time accessing traditional capital. The grant provides utility reimbursements of up to $5,000 to help businesses across the county recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lodi has big plans for Small Biz Week
May 3—The City of Lodi will be offering a series of seminars and events benefiting local entrepreneurs as part of National Small Business Week, beginning Sunday. Founded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the week of May 4-10 will honor the entrepreneurial spirit, resilience and role small businesses play in driving local economies and shaping community character. "Small businesses in Lodi are more than just storefronts — they are neighbors, friends, and the heart of our community," City of Lodi Economic Development Director Luis Aguilar said. "That is why we are intentional about celebrating them during National Small Business Week and supporting them all year long." The week will kick off with the Lodi Street Faire on Sunday, where dozens of the region's small businesses will be plying their wares on Church and School streets. In addition, the stores and restaurants on both streets will also be open. offering sales and discounts to shoppers. On Monday, small business owners can attend a free webinar presented by WorkNet that will provide resources and insights to current and aspiring entrepreneurs. The webinar begins at 2 p.m., and business owners can register at On Tuesday, the Lodi Chamber of Commerce, city council members and staff, and representatives from San Joaquin County's Economic Development Agency will visit businesses along Cherokee Lane at 10 a.m., and on Wednesday, the San Joaquin Small Business Development Center will host an Access to Capital Summit at 6221 West Lane in Stockton at 9 a.m. Those interested in attending can register at On Wednesday at 4 p.m., the chamber will host a ribbon cutting at Fuego Prime, a local food truck that is opening a brick-and-mortar location at 125 N. Sacramento St. The council will then present a proclamation recognizing the week at its meeting at Carnegie Forum at 7 p.m. The chamber will then host a Small Business Week Mixer at Lodi Bowling Lounge, 302 N. Sacramento St., Thursday at 4 p.m. Featured initiatives supporting small businesses that the city will be promoting next week include Lodi's Microloan Program and the county's Spark Relief Grant. The Microloan Program offers financing of as much as $50,000 to small businesses with less than 10 employees. While any businesses that meet the borrowing criteria can apply, the loans are specifically designed for first-time and low-income borrowers, as well as businesses owned by minorities, veterans and women. The Spark Relief Grant provides utility reimbursements of as much as $5,000 to help businesses across the county recover from the financial impacts of COVID-19. "The success of Lodi's small businesses affects all of us," Chamber president and CEO JP Doucette said. "Every dollar spent locally recirculates in our community — paying for a neighbor's job, sponsoring a youth soccer team, or helping fund the next treasured local business. When we shop local, we're not just shopping; we're investing in the diversity and energy of our community."
