Small Business Development Program
Small Business Spotlight:
Carolina Velasco UNLIMITED WELDING & FABRICATION LLC BY SULLY PINOS DIRECTOR, BUSINESS SOLUTIONS & INNOVATION
It was the summer of 2019 when Carolina Velasco joined a room full of budding entrepreneurs at Crispus Attucks for the start of the BLOOM Small Business Classes. These classes were offered at no cost to all attendees and eligible graduates of the program would later have the opportunity to apply for a BLOOM grant. Little did we know that this was the start of a long-term connection. Carolina signed up for the classes on behalf of her and her husband’s new business, Unlimited Welding & Fabrication LLC, a small welding company with big goals. A true family-owned business originating from El Salvador, she and her husband, Wedner Granadeno, share the tasks of the business, from the project
After already completing Bloom courses, what made you register again? A: I learned so much from the classes and that helped us to make sure we were established and could continue to operate. So much has changed from the pandemic that I knew that our business could benefit greatly from these classes as a refresher, but also as an opportunity to connect directly with experts on the challenges we might be experiencing now. It’s an opportunity that we couldn’t pass up.
management and delivery, to administration and payroll. They are also preparing for the next generation of ownership with their two children. Through the BLOOM classes, not only did the couple find the resources and technical assistance needed to navigate through the administrative side of their business, but they grew empowered to network, form relationships with other businesses, and the reassurance that they could grow the business to meet their goals. After the classes concluded, and with the support of a BLOOM grant, Carolina and her husband were able to purchase a truck to help them deliver finished products to clients across the Central Pennsylvania and Maryland areas. Since then, the business has relocated to the Dover area, and they are looking to bring on employees to the payroll.
18 • YoCo CONNECT | FALL 2021 • Small Business Spotlight
