When Ohla Yazola arrived in Southern California from war-torn Ukraine, she carried little more than a few chocolate molds, her young son and a deep hope for the future.
In her home country, she had built a successful career as a chocolatier and confectionery chef, creating everything from delicate macarons to whimsical chocolate figures.
But restarting her life and business in a new country proved far more challenging than she imagined.
“I didn’t know how the market worked here, and I was overwhelmed with paperwork, regulations, and cultural differences,” said Yazola, founder of Ohla Yazola Chocolates in Mission Viejo. “My dream felt far away.”
That dream began to take shape with the help of CIELO, a Huntington Beach-based nonprofit dedicated to turning entrepreneurial ideas into thriving small businesses.
Short for Community for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Opportunities, CIELO equips entrepreneurs from under-resourced communities with the tools, training, and confidence they need to succeed.
Reaching for the Sky
Founded in 2012 as an incubated project of the Oak View Renewal Partnership (OVRP) in Huntington Beach, CIELO initially served the Oak View neighborhood.
After studies revealed countywide gaps in support for low-income and immigrant entrepreneurs, CIELO – which means “sky” or “heaven” in Spanish – officially launched in 2016 and became an independent nonprofit in 2018. Since its inception, CIELO’s work has been supported by a broad network of funders, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, the Samueli Foundation and the Orange County Community Foundation, among many others.
“(During the OVRP), what led to the development of CIELO was our realization that these folks are entrepreneurial,” said Iosefa Alofaituli, executive director, co-founder, CIELO. “But they didn’t see themselves as entrepreneurs. But when you look at how they are being so creative, resourceful and tenacious, they are the epitome of an entrepreneur.”
CIELO has supported more than 3,000 individuals and helped more than 350 launch or prepare to launch small businesses. Its entrepreneurship program includes a six-week startup course that covers the essentials of business planning and marketing.
Graduates are eligible to apply for microgrants that range from $500 to $5,000. They can also continue to receive guidance through CIELO’s client navigation services, which connect them with legal experts, bookkeepers and other professionals. An online platform called The Source links clients to mentors or lets them give back by mentoring others.
Additionally, a monthly entrepreneur workshop series, co-hosted with community partners, provides ongoing education on relevant topics.
CIELO focuses on empowering entrepreneurs from under-resourced communities, with a special emphasis on Hispanic individuals and immigrants, by providing culturally relevant training in their preferred language.
“CIELO is itself an innovative, nimble entrepreneurial venture,” said Alofaituli. “It’s a social enterprise that grew organically from within the community, reflecting a deep understanding of this natural inclination for entrepreneurship and the opportunity to nurture it.”
Entrepreneurial Spirit
CIELO has helped a wide range of entrepreneurs turn their passions into thriving businesses. Jason Mercado, founder of Sweet Mission Cookies, transformed his baking skills into a buzzworthy brand, with his custom cookies making appearances at high-profile events, including Oscar parties and BET Awards parties.
Veronique Rae, the owner of Urban V’s Coffee, leveraged CIELO’s support to build a successful online coffee shop. Omar Ruiz and Teresa Patino launched T.P. Fine Wood
Finishing after connecting with CIELO through a family member, gaining the business know-how to grow their craft into a successful enterprise. And Laura Villegas, founder of Building Families, now trains and supports future foster parents, offering licensing classes and guidance with help from the resources and ongoing support she found through CIELO.
CIELO has also created a childcare business class, a free four-week course that equips participants with information and guidance to complete the process of registering as an FFN (Family, Friend and Neighbor caregiver) or obtain a childcare license and launch their business.
As for Yazola, her brightly colored, intricately designed handmade chocolates are now gaining acclaim across Southern California. She said CIELO made all the difference.
“They didn’t just provide technical guidance. CIELO gave me the confidence to believe it was possible,” Yazola said. “With their help, I was able to register and structure my business step by step and finally bring my vision back to life here in California.”
