VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Robert Barragan and the Valley Economic Development Center (818-907-9977) was first featured in 2001 on our show entitled “From Welfare to Business Ownership.” Carl Jones went from jail, to being homeless, jobless and starving, but he used it all as a stepping stone to a better life. Thanks to the Valley Economic Development Center), Welfare to Work state funded initiative, Jones now heads up his own entertainment promotions company, Black Bag Entertainment. Other successful graduates of the VEDC’s program includes, Mayra Goodwin, owner of Mayra’s Housecleaning Services; Gela Cruz, whose business, El Baul De Los Recuerdos, supplies artistic photographs and paintings; Tara Townes, owner of Lulu’s Play School, a child care center and Jewell Johnson, owner of Multifacets Flux Design, which makes room dividers and artistic screens.

OPTIMUM BOOT CAMP
In another show that aired in 2001, “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds” we introduced a former marine, Raphael Verela (800-493-6987). He has turned boot camp into a successful business. His Optimum Boot Camp, is a one-man company that has grown from making two thousand dollars a month to grossing more than $30,000 a month. His exercise program, which is offered seven days a week with sessions costing as little as $10 attracts celebrities such as Stevie Wonder and Kelly Sutherford.