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About Microenterprise Collaborative

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About Microenterprise Collaborative

MicroEnterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California consists of a diverse coalition of community leaders dedicated to improving small business development in Riverside and San Bernardino counties and eastern Los Angeles County.

Inland Southern California

Over 700 banks, Chambers of Commerce, business associations, and nonprofits as well as universities and community college business departments, business programs, services, microlenders, and city and county agencies understand the importance of successful small businesses for the economy of the region and have signed on to become partners of MicroEnterprise Collaborative.

Micro-businesses—those with fewer than five employees—comprise 90 percent of all businesses and provide 23 percent of all jobs. These smallest of businesses create income for business owners and their families and well-paying jobs within the region. However, micro-business owners need the information, expertise, and capital to grow and succeed.

To assist them, small business service providers and microlenders provide training, counseling, and microloans and rely on our partners to refer small business owners who need their help.

The MicroEnterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California is dedicated to creating and sustaining businesses and jobs through micro-business development. As an Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO), we provide resources, guidance, and advocacy to empower small businesses in the region, helping them thrive and contribute to the local economy.

Our Mission

The purpose of the Microenterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California is to create and grow sustainable small businesses and job development by supporting micro business development agencies.

Our Vision

We envision a future where every entrepreneur has access to all resources necessary to start, sustain, and grow their businesses.

WORKING TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN MICRO-BUSINESSES IN INLAND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

  • $150K

    Regranted to partner organizations

  • 20,000 +

    Jobs created or supported

  • $112M+

    Capital accessed by small businesses

  • 700 +

    Partners in our collaborative

Background

In 2011, following an FDIC listening session, the Microenterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California (MECISC) was launched by a group of community leaders in Riverside, CA. These stakeholders discussed what was needed to improve the field of microenterprise development in the Inland Empire. They were concerned about conditions in the region that prevented small businesses and micro-businesses from starting or thriving including:

  • Small business owners and microentrepreneurs regularly failing to secure traditional financing for reasons such as lack of financial knowledge or insufficient sales or equity

  • Bankers, Chambers of Commerce, and nonprofits working with low-income and moderate-income individuals being unaware of available resources to help their clients or members

  • Small businesses and microentrepreneurs being unaware of available programs and services through microenterprise programs

  • Nonbank microlenders and nonprofit microenterprise programs struggling to secure financial resources to do outreach to the community and deliver training, technical assistance, and loans

To address these issues, MicroEnterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California was formed. Bank of America provided seed funding, and in 2014 Project Manager Catherine Marshall, an expert in the field of microenterprise development and a specialist in coalition-building, was brought on board. In 2022 Catherine Marshal retired and we hired our first Executive Director, Pamela Deans, an expert in the field of Workforce Development and a specialist in Small Business Entrepreneurship.

Today MicroEnterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California has grown to a network of over 700 partners. As an Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO), we focus on bridging gaps in funding, technical assistance, and outreach for small business owners. Through our work, we have provided numerous public education events, fostered collaboration, and built the capacity of service providers to meet growing demand. All of this has resulted in an increase in the number of small business owners using services and acquiring loan capital to grow their businesses.

Interested in becoming a Board Member?

Become a Board Member of Microenterprise Collaborative and be a part of the team to help small businesses be successful.

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OUR TEAM

The Microenterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California is led by an Executive Director and a Board of Directors representing financial institutions, nonprofits, small business programs, and microlenders who are dedicated to improving small business development in inland Southern California.

Board of Directors

Executive Director

Pamela Deans has been at the helm of the Microenterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California as the Executive Director since January 2022. Her extensive background showcases years of dedicated leadership in workforce development, which she effectively leverages to drive economic growth and community empowerment. 

Pamela currently serves as a member of the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board's Economic Development Business Resource Committee and as Chair of the San Bernardino County Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) coalition. She previously chaired the Business and Community Leaders Outreach Committee for Thrive Inland SoCal (California Jobs Forward initiative) for two years. 

She served ten years as Center and Regional Director for the Center for Employment Training, consistently propelling the center to rank among the top-performing vocational training centers in California. Pamela secured significant grants, including a $1 million Department of Labor grant for the WANTO (Women in Apprenticeships and Non-Traditional Occupations) program, providing full scholarships for women. She introduced innovative programs such as the Apprenticeship Readiness program with the North American Building Trades Union, as well as "Weld-Like-a-Girl" and "Green-is-the-NEW-Pink" to encourage women’s participation in trades. 

Pamela is a member of NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) and has served as an elected secretary for SHRM (Society of Human Resources Management), consistently participating in committees focused on enhancing quality of life in the Inland Empire.

With 15 years as an Airline & Travel Instructor for the International Air Academy, Pamela played a crucial role in helping hundreds achieve careers in the airline industry. She also held leadership and training positions with American Airlines and American Express Travel, and owned her own travel agency, amassing global travel experiences that have deepened her appreciation for the Inland Empire.

Awards & Recognition: 

  • 2025 Woman of Achievement Award, presented by Senator Eloise Reyes
  • 2024 CAMEO Entrepreneur Ecosystem Award for Connector 

Pamela’s career is marked by her entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to empowering women, and dedication to building resilient, inclusive communities throughout Southern California.
Pamela Deans
Executive Director
Microenterprise Collaborative in Inland Southern California

Program Assistant

Guadalupe Duran joined Microenterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California in 2024. In her role, she ensures programs are current and effectively implemented while collaborating with Cities & Chambers in Southern California to broaden the organization’s impact.

Guadalupe plays a pivotal role in strengthening the regional ecosystem for small business development. Her efforts aim to empower micro-businesses—those with fewer than five employees—which constitute 90% of businesses in the region and provide significant employment opportunities.

In addition to her nonprofit work, Guadalupe has an impressive background in higher education admissions. She spent three years at the Center for Employment Training, a vocational technical school in Colton, California, and four years at UEI College's Riverside Campus. During her tenure, she consistently excelled as a top representative, meeting and exceeding her goals.

Guadalupe’s passion for student success and small business development underscores her dedication to fostering growth and opportunity within her community. 

Guadalupe Duran
Program Assistant
Microenterprise Collaborative in Inland Southern California