Long Beach business owners surpass their sales goals in just five months with help from the experts at the SBDC.

Sliced and Diced/Peppered Up

3201 E. Anaheim Street
Long Beach, CA 90804
(562) 343-7001 • www.slicedanddicedeatery.com

INDUSTRY
Food service
CHALLENGES

• Opening a new business while running an existing business
• Transitioning from a mobile business to a brick-and-mortar location
• Obtaining licenses and permits
• Marketing a new brand

SOLUTIONS

• Connecting with local resources to help smooth the startup path
• Creating a marketing plan

TRAINING

• The Ultimate Marketing Tactics for Your Business (3-day workshop)

CLIENT IMPACT

• 25% Increase in sales within five months

Amy Ericksen and Griselda Suarez have been cooking together for more than 10 years. Two years ago they started Peppered Up Foods, a special events, catering and artisanal food company that sells bottled sauces at local farmers’ markets and events. But without their own kitchen to make the sauces, they were limited in how big they could grow the business. They also had dreams of owning a restaurant. In 2012, they decided to turn those dreams into reality and began making plans to open Sliced and Diced, a small quick-service eatery serving fresh, locally sourced foods with a “south of the border” flavor.
Challenges
Ericksen and Suarez needed advice on transitioning from a mobile business focused on farmers’ markets and events to a brick-and-mortar location. They wanted guidance on obtaining necessary licenses and permits, as well as financing options and business resources available to help them start and grow Sliced and Diced. Having heard many people recommend the Small Business Development Center, in December 2012 the partners finally visited the SBDC hosted by Long Beach City College for help.
Best Advice
Through a marketing workshop series as well as one-on-one advice with SBDC Business Advisors Mike Daniel, Lynn Stewart and Sé Reed, the partners created a business plan and marketing plan, obtained licenses and permits, developed a website, opened for business and harnessed social media as a marketing tool. They also made important connections in the community that are helping them grow their new business.

“ The SBDC has given us a voice to advocate for small business in Long Beach. To have a center that’s all about business is so empowering.” Griselda Suarez, Co-owner, Sliced and Diced/Peppered Up