Vermont Slauson EDC helps entrepreneurs go mobile

By Tracey Edwards

Mobile businesses have become popular over the past several years. There is a food truck craze happening, but that is just one of many business ventures that entrepreneurs are taking on the go.

“There are services that are mobile,” said Lura Ball of the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC). “We have mobile retailers who have flower trucks. There are mobile barbers, nail shops, notary services, and pet services.”

Ball also said that mobile fashion trucks have become popular.

“Everything from high-end clothing, hard to find clothing, shoes, watches, antiques, jewelry. All mobile,” she said.

Mobile businesses, which can be in a truck, van, car, or cart, are a viable alternative to brick-and-mortar businesses, and the VSEDC is helping entrepreneurs get started in these industries by hosting the 5th Annual Mobile Retail & Food Truck Expo, which will be held at Los Angeles Trade and Technical College on September 23.

The American Mobile Retail Assocation will host workshops that teach people about permits, licensing, marketing, financing, purchasing wholesale, and how to overcome the challenges of starting a mobile business.

Financial lenders will be at the event to discuss loan programs.

Kareem Carts, a company that builds food trucks and push carts, will also participate with this event. They helped Greg King, owner of Postcards South American Soul food truck, get started.

“They really work with a number of people in the community to start small businesses, primarily with food trucks,” King said. “They built our truck, and they were a great support of the business when we initially started.”

King, who started his mobile business four years ago, has also participated in the Mobile Retail & Food Truck Expo in the past.

“This event is giving you information, and it’s connecting you with individuals who can help you really figure out whether or not this is what you want to do,” he said.

For people who are unable to make the event, the information given will be available for download on VSEDC’s website at www.vsedc.org, and people can call their business source center at 323-789-4515. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

The expo will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the South Quad on 23rd St. and Grand Ave.

Looking to start a small business? Contact Pacific Coast Regional Small Business Development Corporation.