"RAW INTERNATIONAL" Show #499

Roland Wiley (www.rawinternational.com) was a top architectural designer at an established firm in Los Angeles. However, he realized there would not be anymore growth opportunities for him in the company. This convinced him to leave the prestigious position to become an entrepreneur. He formed a partnership with Steven Lott and created an architectural company called RAW INTERNATIONAL, INC. in 1984.

"LATINO MUSEUM " Show #499

THE LATINO MUSEUM opened its doors 13 years ago. Its objective is to educate people about the Hispanic culture through art exhibition. Helping the non-profit organization to fulfill its mission was Bank of America; they leased and later donated a building to house the displays.

"PICASSO'S CAFE BAKERY & DELI" Show #483

Marissa, Maria, and Vincent DeRosa are the owner’s of Picasso’s Café Bakery and Deli (www.picassoscafe.com) The Picasso story began in 1989 with the dream of two people, owners and operators Vincent and Maria DeRosa. Their objective was to cater to corporate breakfast and lunch coterie while "creating food products that are a work of art"- hence, Picasso's. The DeRosa's have successfully designed cafe, bakery, and catering menus to present quality products with an emphasis on eye appeal, taste, and price.

"AD PRO " Show #483

Tracy Stanhoff’s company Ad Pro (714-898-6364) has tripled its profits since Making It! last profiled her in December of 2000. Ad Pro specializes in main areas, including advertising, public relations, graphic design, printing, and web design. Tracy has now been working with Southern California Edison for eight years. Tracy states that they have been instrumental in helping mentor members of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce by sponsoring events, retreats, and seminars that serve to educate vendors about Edison.

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TARYN ROSE IN "TOP TIER TASTES" Show #451

Dr. Taryn Rose (877-440-7376), an orthopedic surgeon, was aware of the foot problems many of her female patients suffered from due to ill-fitting shoes. While researching the footwear industry, Taryn discovered that there were no shoe lines that guaranteed both comfort and elegance. Armed with this knowledge and her surgical training, Taryn decided to design her own shoe line. After learning how to write a business plan and receiving a $150,000 loan from the Small Business Administration, Taryn launched TARYN ROSE INTERNATIONAL in 1997 with the goal of creating shoes that are fashionable, yet comfortable to wear.

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DANIELA MELTZER IN "DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT" Show #444

Daniela Meltzer (818-781-3003) is the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of COPTERVISION, a company that specializes in wireless systems for film and video. Their remote controlled helicopters are used for close range aerial cinematography. Daniela, her mother, Sarita Spiwak, and Carlos Hoyos began the company in 1997. Carlos came up with the different ways of mounting a camera on a model helicopter to get difficult shots. But, among the three of them, they did not have much helicopter experience. While the ideas were innovative, the three had trouble starting the company because of financial obstacles.

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"WAHOO'S FISH TACO" Show #422

Have you ever felt the need to follow your own destiny? Well Wing Lam, Ed Lee and Mingo Lee the creative and business forces behind WAHOOS FISH TACOS decided to do just that. The three brothers were born in Brazil to Chinese immigrants who fled communist China in 1951. The family eventually moved to Southern California and opened a Chinese restaurant. Although raised in the family business they fell in love with the surfing lifestyle. Wing Lam came up with the idea of selling fish tacos in a surfing interior design setting. With $30,000 he borrowed from his dad, he set up shop in Orange County in 1998.

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"ANDREW CHERNG'S PANDA RESTAURANT GROUP"

Show #425

In a highly saturated fast-food industry, the Asian owned Panda fast food enterprise is conquering the taste buds of Americans with gourmet Chinese cuisine. Andrew Cherng (626-799-9898) started the enterprise with his father in 1973. With a SBA loan they set up their first restaurant, Panda Inn, in Pasadena California. Ten years later, an opportunity to move their high-end restaurant into a fast-food setting became available, and Panda Express was born.Andrew’s wife joined the company, after a successful career with Hughe’s Aircraft and the two of them took the business to the top.

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"BILLY BLANKS" Show #434

Billy Blanks (818-325-0339) of BILLY BLANKS WORLD TRAINING CENTERHe overcame many hardships throughout his life.  Growing up among many siblings, Billy struggled with dyslexia and a hip problem.  He took an interest in martial arts, and as an adult he became a world champion martial artist.  He eventually created Tae Bo, a martial arts-based workout, which quickly became a fitness craze.

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"LEGALZOOM.COM" Show #475

Legalzoom.com (323-962-8600) is the nation’s first online provider of comprehensive legal documentation services. The basic goal of the business is to be of assistance and convenience to those who need to take care of routine, uncontested legal matters without the time or costs of hiring an attorney. The website offers simple questionnaires and help menus that guide customers to make their own legal decisions and also create their own customized legal documents.