One Community, Countless Possibilities: Celebrating the Strength of Latino Businesses

Working with Latino entrepreneurs is one of the great privileges of our work at Mission Economic Development Agency. That’s why, each year during San Francisco Small Business Week, we host an event in their honor. Their vision, dedication, and perseverance inspire the Latino community and prove that the American Dream is alive and within reach.

On May 6, nearly 90 Latino entrepreneurs joined MEDA’s Fondo Adelante team at the City College of San Francisco Mission Center for One Community, Countless Possibilities: The Strength of Latino Businesses, part of the 2026 San Francisco Small Business Week. Sponsored by Chase for Business Coaching for Impact, the evening featured a mini market where local entrepreneurs showcased their products — from crafts to food and more — turning the gathering into a vibrant marketplace of community and creativity.

District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar, along with representatives from the Office of Assessor-Recorder Joaquin Torres and the SF Office of Economic & Workforce Development, presented recognition to three honorees during the evening.

Honoring Our 2026 Awardees

Jenny Aguirre, Chely’s Beauty Salon — Outstanding Business in the Mission Street Commercial Corridor

For more than a decade, Jenny Aguirre and her family have run Chely’s Beauty Salon in the heart of the Mission District — moving from 20th Street to their current home in a MEDA affordable housing building, always with the intention of growing closer as a family and staying in the neighborhood they love. They’ve weathered industry shifts and reinvented themselves through the pandemic by selling online and keeping in touch with clients over WhatsApp. Today, Chely’s is a pillar of personal care services in the Mission: a culturally welcoming space where service is offered in clients’ own language and where second-generation families now return with their own children. Jenny was previously honored by MEDA as Client of the Year in 2021.

Hugo Solís, Olive’s Construction LLC — Outstanding Home-Based Business

In 2019, Hugo Solís founded Solis Handyman Services with a toolbox, deep determination, and — in his own words — “God’s blessing.” What began as weekend work quickly grew into a full-time calling, fueled by clients who valued his honesty and commitment. Today, that one-person venture has become Olive’s Construction LLC, a fully insured general contracting business with a Class B Contractor’s License, a 5-star Better Business Bureau rating, permits to operate in San Francisco, San Bruno, and Corte Madera, and specialized certifications in mold remediation, home inspection, and blueprint reading. Hugo now employs two staff on payroll and takes on substantial projects, including foundation restoration work in Nicasio. His next goal is to invest in a heavy-duty truck to expand the company’s capacity. MEDA has been part of Hugo’s entrepreneurial journey since 2013, and his commitment remains the same: to work with integrity and deliver results that don’t just build houses, but strengthen the legacy of every family that trusts him.

Mission Street Vendors Association — Recognized for Advocacy on Behalf of Mission Merchants

In November 2023, the City of San Francisco removed all street vendors from Mission Street, displacing more than 116 vendors overnight. “In reality, it wasn’t just 116 vendors,” recalls Rodrigo López, president of the association. “It was 116 families who lost their daily source of income and livelihood.” Out of that crisis, the Mission Street Vendors Association (MSVA) was born — to organize the community, build bonds among members, and learn to navigate a system many were unfamiliar with. Through consistent organizing and the support of community advocates, MSVA began negotiating vendors’ return to their micro-businesses. “Like any other business in this city, street vendors pay for permits, pay taxes, and contribute to the local economy every day,” Rodrigo says. “We’re only asking for fair treatment and the opportunity to keep working with dignity. Our fight isn’t just for us — it’s for every family that dreams of getting ahead through their own hard work.”

The Bigger Picture

Since 2015, MEDA — through its CDFI, Fondo Adelante — has delivered $18 million in capital to nearly 600 small businesses across the Bay Area. But our work goes beyond capital: in 2025 alone, our Fondo Adelante Business Development team supported 350 entrepreneurs, and our workshops produced 140 business plans. We also celebrate what these businesses give back to the local economy. The small businesses partnering with MEDA along the Mission Street commercial corridor generate an average of $9 million in revenue and sustain close to 300 jobs.
Big congrats to the Fondo Adelante team for pulling off a great event, and for the work they do alongside our entrepreneurs every day.