Client Stories
April 22, 2025
Culture, Love, & Business – This is El Coquí
El Coquí’s story began in 2009 when Yazmin Auli, a self-taught baker, turned her love for baking into a business. While working at Congreso de Latinos Unidos in Philadelphia, her coworkers enjoyed her delicious desserts, which she made for office potlucks and celebrations. Encouraged by the growing demand and love from her coworkers, Yazmin decided
Read MoreClient Stories
March 24, 2025
How Fireball Printing Grew Its Business and Impact in Philadelphia
If you’ve ever bought a perfect art print, been inspired by sharp signage, or flipped through a printed brochure, you know the power of high-quality printing. At Fireball Printing, it’s about more than just ink and paper—it’s about transforming ideas into lasting impressions. Started by Catherine Dentino and Paul Yavarone Jr. in 2008, Fireball Printing
Read MoreClient Stories
February 24, 2025
Called to Serve Breaks Ground on the Reverend Leon H. Sullivan Community Impact Center with Help from PIDC
Called to Serve (CTS) recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the Reverend Leon H. Sullivan Community Impact Center with an event featuring remarks from PIDC, government officials, and the project development team. They highlighted how this transformative project builds on past achievements and sets a vision for the future of the community. Established in 2014 by
Read MoreClient Stories
February 11, 2025
Elevating Every Occasion—How Martha Santos Makes Events Shine
M Santos Interiors LLC turns moments into memories. Founded in 2018 by Martha Santos, this interior design and event planning company specializes in cohesive and visually stunning events. What began as a teenage passion for decorating has blossomed into a successful business that’s redefining Greater Philadelphia’s events industry. Santos has a background in interior design
Read MoreClient Stories
December 17, 2024
Celebrating Success: PIDC Client Milestones in 2024
As we look back on 2024, we’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of our clients across Philadelphia. From expanding their operations to celebrating major anniversaries to launching groundbreaking initiatives, these businesses and entrepreneurs have exemplified innovation, resilience, and impact in our community. At PIDC, we’re proud to support business growth and success every step
Read MoreClient Stories
November 21, 2024
Angie Millan: Inspiring Entrepreneur Turned PIDC Partner & Client
Woman-owned and operated businesses continue to grow and PIDC Partner and client Angie Millan shows that having an entrepreneurial spirit can help set your business up for success. Millan started her entrepreneurial journey in 1998 when she opened “Angie’s Auto Tags,” one of Philadelphia’s trusted one-stop shops for services including car insurance, title transfers, notary
Read MoreAAPI
September 23, 2024
How Queen & Rook Mastered the Game of Small Business Success
In the age of smartphones, streaming services, and video games, it’s easy to forget the charm of face-to-face interactions and the simple joy of sitting down to play a board game. But there’s a place in Philadelphia that is keeping the beauty of board games alive: Queen & Rook Game Cafe. Queen & Rook opened
Read MoreAAPI
May 29, 2024
Optimal Physical Therapy Gym Brings High-Quality Healthcare to Underserved Communities
If you’ve ever suffered from chronic pain or faced a difficult road to recovery following an injury or surgery, you understand just how important a good physical therapist can be. Unfortunately, everyone does not have the same access to high-quality healthcare and Dr. Binh Nguyen, DPT, COMT, FAAOMPT made it his top priority to change
Read MoreAAPI
May 29, 2024
Mayfair Family Dentistry—Creating Smiles and Fostering Community
Healthy oral hygiene is critical, not just for a winning smile, but for your general health and wellness. From preventing and treating cavities to detecting early signs of diseases like diabetes and cancers, dentists play a crucial role in our health. Mayfair Family Dentistry is a mainstay in the Mayfair neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia. The
Read MoreBlack-Owned
April 24, 2024
Beyond Beauty — Hair Du Jour Salon’s Journey to Success
Hair Du Jour Salon is a cut above the rest. Inspired by her aunt’s support and the desire to provide others with the opportunities she had, Ann Turner embarked on her entrepreneurial journey, establishing her West Philadelphia salon in 2015. This black-owned salon takes inclusivity seriously. With a commitment to quality services for anyone, Hair
Read MoreClient Stories
March 20, 2024
Move, Breathe, Thrive — The Growth of Monarch Yoga
Amid the uncertainty of COVID-19, while many businesses were pausing operations, one small business dared to defy the odds and set up shop. Monarch Yoga emerged as a respite from the stress and loneliness many of us felt during the pandemic. Michelle Dillon opened Monarch Yoga in June of 2020 to answer the call for
Read MoreBlack-Owned
March 20, 2024
Mixing Business with Family: Cathryn’s Cake Salon Finds Recipe for Sweet Success
In Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane neighborhood, there’s a bakery that’s about more than fresh cakes, pastries, and desserts; it’s about family. Cathryn’s Cake Salon is a testament to the power of family-owned businesses. Inspired by Fluellen family matriarch Cathryn, the bakery is a true family affair. Cathryn’s Cake Salon is powered by mother Cheryl Foat
Read MoreBlack-Owned
March 14, 2024
Amazing Kidz Academy Celebrates 10 Years in Business
It’s no secret that there are lifelong benefits to early childhood education. Children who attend preschool are not only more likely to succeed in kindergarten, they’re successful throughout their entire school experience and beyond. Lisa Smith and Clarence Morris III, co-founders of Amazing Kidz Academy, know how important preschool education is to early childhood development
Read MoreClient Stories
March 17, 2023
Client Feature: Highway Construction Company Olivieri & Associates Expands by Purchasing Available Land in Eastwick
PIDC client, Olivieri & Associates, is a woman-owned heavy-highway construction company founded in 1999 with notable projects that include the historic street reconstruction of the 300 block of South Philip Street, which won the 2019 Preservation Achievement Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. Olivieri & Associates also just completed the PennDOT Riverfront Gateway Sidewalk Design Project along
Read MoreBlack-Owned
March 17, 2023
Client Feature: H&Mcare Breaks Ground on $13M Project for Home Care Support Services
Last month, PIDC client H&Mcare – a Black- and immigrant-owned home care support services business – celebrated a groundbreaking at 71st and Woodland Streets in Southwest Philadelphia. The $13 million project will provide critical services for the community, including housing to more than 22 individuals over the age of 65, an urgent care, a pharmacy, and residential
Read MoreClient Stories
March 17, 2023
Client Feature: Made Institute Fashion School Celebrates 10 Years in Business
Made Institute Fashion School CEO, Rachel Ford, started teaching couture sewing classes out of her live/work loft space in the Old City neighborhood in 2012. She wanted to share techniques she had learned working 10 years at the Philadelphia Opera to this city’s growing number of makers and designers. Now, after 10 years in business, Made
Read MoreClient Stories
February 21, 2023
PIDC Client Spotlight: Silvia’s Bakery
PIDC client Silvia’s Bakery is a Hispanic-, immigrant-, woman-owned bakery that specializes in making Dominican cake, Hispanic desserts, custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and cake pops from scratch. Owner Silvia Paulino grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. Her mother was a seamstress, and her father owned a grocery store in the Dominican Republic in which she often
Read MoreClient Stories
October 27, 2022
Torrado Construction
PIDC client Torrado Construction is a Hispanic-owned general construction firm specializing in commercial construction, renovations and rehabilitations, concrete, removal services, and painting services. Luis E. Torrado, who established the company in 1995, has devoted his time to working on projects that bring positive change to underserved communities.
Read More