Paris Hilton's nonprofit, 11:11 Media Impact, in collaboration with GoFundMe.org, has taken a stand for women entrepreneurs hit by the Eaton Fire. In an unforeseen expansion of their generosity, they're extending aid far beyond the original twelve recipients. Now, a total of fifty women-owned small businesses devastated by the wildfires are receiving grants of $25,000 each, a boon to efforts for rebuilding and pushing through a difficult recovery. This move comes as a response to the "overwhelming response from women entrepreneurs in need of support," Hilton stated on her social media, reported by AP News.
Striving to effectively realize the distribution of funds, Hilton's organization, together with GoFundMe.org, initially set out to offer support to a select group. However, the eagerness of the response and the compelling nature of the applications prompted them to significantly widen their net. "I personally read every application, and I just want every single one of these women to know: I see you, I believe in you and I'm so honored to support your journey," Hilton wrote, according to a social media post covered by NBC Los Angeles.
Among the businesses reaping the benefits of the grants are coffee shops, dance studios, and salons, many of which are cornerstones in their neighborhoods. One such recipient, the Little Red Hen Coffee Shop, has been a beloved fixture in Altadena for over five decades. Annisa Faquir, who had worked at the diner alongside her mother before the disaster struck, conveyed the importance of the grant, lauding its simplicity and contrast to other, more demanding processes. "They saw us. They heard our story," Faquir told AP News. With the aid of the donated funds, businesses like Faquir's can look towards reconstruction and purchasing crucial equipment lost in the fire.
The economic fallout from the Eaton Fire has been vast, with more than 1,800 businesses impacted, employing thousands and generating significant annual sales. The aftermath of such an event can indeed drastically shake the fortunes of small businesses, with many still grappling with prior loans from crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the necessity to foster resilience, Hilton voiced, "Let's keep showing up for women entrepreneurs -- because when women thrive, we all thrive," echoing the sentiment put forward in her previous statements.
Aiding in the long-term recovery, the Pasadena Women's Business Center has also received a $25,000 grant to provide essential business counselling and coaching services. These no-cost advising services are set to benefit scores of local business owners who are slowly piecing their livelihoods back together. Lizzy Okoro Davidson, the center's director, reiterated the intent to assist entrepreneurs in not only rebuilding but thriving beyond their original capacities, hinting at a future where these businesses could diversify into new arenas such as online platforms or mobile operations, as she highlighted in her dialogue with AP News.
