Carolitza Mendoza came to the Illinois SBDC at Sauk Valley Community College in December 2020. She was driven to open a store offering special occasion attire for all. Recognizing a need in the community, her store features options for baptisms, first communions, quinceañera gowns, and accessories. In addition, the store has traditional Mexican apparel and artisanry.
Business Advisor Pam Clodfelter talked with Carolitza about the services and support the center offers. Pam learned that assistance was needed with a business plan, business registration, website, and a marketing plan. Pam worked with Carolitza on her business plan and guided Carolitza on registering her LLC and obtaining her EIN completed in February 2021. The challenge was finding a location that would fit Carolitza’s needs of economical rent in a highly visible location. Carolitza settled on a recently vacated space in the area’s Northland Mall next to Claire’s and started accepting customers by appointment in April. Her store officially opened its doors in early June.
Carolitza’s recently had a ribbon cutting with the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. During that event, she thanked the Illinois SBDC at SVCC for “the assistance that they provided in helping her in opening her store.”