A Pandemic Success Story: Meet Lizeth
Friends, meet Lizeth Soto!
In 2013, Lizeth went all in on a day spa business right in the heart of downtown San Diego. Her approach was to build the business around her clients, listening intensely to them and any feedback they sent over. She stayed flexible, experimenting with different services and doing whatever she could to make sure the business was always moving toward a more client-friendly atmosphere.
The business grew and the team had no choice but to hire in order to keep up with customer demands…then the pandemic hit.
As successful as Lizeth’s spa proved to be, she wasn’t immune to the pandemic’s economic fall-out, especially considering how important tourism and travel is for many local businesses. That’s why we were thrilled to offer her business a portion of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Lizeth took that money and reworked many of her spa services, providing new facial and skincare lines as well as promoting her business more strategically through social media—and it worked!
“Lizeth is a very smart and bright business woman,” said Maly E’k-Doungpanya, our Economic Development Manager. “She is creative and hard-working. The pandemic gave her challenges like finding a new location and reducing some expenses, but she’s working hard and has shown she can overcome obstacles. We’re hopeful she will make it through COVID-19 and her business will continue to grow.”
To all of you who continue to support local businesses, whether it’s by eating takeout, bypassing Amazon, or providing funding or grant money, thank you! There are businesses like Lizeth’s all over the community who are still battling thanks to your support.
All technical assistance is provided through funding by the City of San Diego Community Development Block Grant.