Cristiana is a former event planner who now operates a restaurant in Queens. The restaurant serves up a blend of Dominican and Colombian cuisine prepared by her husband, a chef. The restaurant is beloved in the local community for its unique flavors and baked goods, and Cristiana has employed as many as 12 staff members. Given the decline in sales from the pandemic, she is looking for new ways to increase revenue in order to continue supporting her employees and following her dream.

Laura is a doula and runs a nanny agency, where she and her team of trained educators assist families in the Bay Area, CA. Laura is passionate about childhood development, and has developed non-medical doula services alongside her educational curriculum taught by her team of educators. Curriculums are customized per child, and services are suited for first-time families. (Please note: Spanish-speaking preferred)

Bini came to the US in 2004 and instantly missed Nepalese food. After overcoming interpersonal barriers including housing insecurity she and her young son relocated to the Bay Area. Once moving back to San Francisco with her sister, she began cooking Nepalese food and selling to the clients from her sister's daycare. Bini and her sister have worked with Start Small in the past and gradually developed a successful brand. Unfortunately, COVID-19 hit their business hard and it is their hope that they can survive the pandemic.