When Brittie Crawford opened World City Center Preschool in Los Angeles, she set out to build more than a childcare facility. Her goal was to create a nurturing space where young children could grow into global citizens and future leaders. To get it off the ground, she turned to the Small Business Development Center for help securing the opening capital she needed to make that vision real.

Solutions

When COVID-19 hit, World City Center faced the same crisis threatening small businesses everywhere. Crawford was forced to close temporarily, and keeping her doors open and her staff employed felt impossible. She returned to the SBDC, this time to navigate the PPP loan process. Her advisors helped her move quickly to secure the funds she needed. Later, they guided her through the loan forgiveness process to protect the preschool’s long-term future.

Results

With support from both the initial SBA loan and PPP funding, Crawford was able to retain all 10 of her employees and keep essential services running for her community. World City Center not only survived the pandemic, but grew, with increased sales and lasting jobs that reflect both Crawford’s persistence and the impact of sustained advising support.

“I would recommend the SBDC to a friend,” Crawford said. “They have been an invaluable partner to my small business, offering everything from essential workshops and classes to SBA loan services and knowledgeable advisors—making them a true dream team for any entrepreneur.”

Today, World City Center continues to thrive as a cornerstone of early education in Los Angeles, and Brittie Crawford is still building her legacy one young learner at a time.