Locals win small business awards

The family that owns Golden Star Family Restaurants in Long Beach and Leonard Ortiz of Cerritos-based Lennova were among the 17 local entrepreneurs who today earned top honors at the 28th annual Small Business Awards at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown L.A.

Here is a look at our local winners:

Family-Owned Business of the Year - The Contos Family, Owner and Founder of Golden Star Family Restaurant (Long Beach, CA)

Golden Star Family Restaurant has been in operation for more than 46 years.  The family owned and operated restaurant is in its second generation of family where everyone pitches in to make the business a satisfying experience for both owners and customers.  When curious customers ask family member why they don't take time off weekends or holidays, they simply state, "some of the customers don't have families, so on these days, including Christmas and New Year's, we get to be their family." Their love of family extends to the community - they are constantly working with and donating their culinary delights to the local schools and churches.  They have expanded their enterprise to two restaurants and will open a third one this year. 

Small Business Person of the Year - Leonard Ortiz, Founder and President/CEO of Lennova (Cerritos, CA)

Leonard Ortiz is President and CEO of Lennova, a general contractor specializing in superior floor coatings and coverings.  Ortiz is a Los Angeles native, who keeps his business and staffing local but has contracts throughout the United States. The business started with just two employees, but with a current staff of 25, sales are now skyrocketing.  His belief is that "success is only achieved when preparation meets opportunity and that to achieve true success, one must say focused on the goal." Ortiz is also a believer in giving back - he works with the small business community via speaking engagements and is currently heading efforts to create a scholarship fund that is jointly funded by both the California Black Chamber of Commerce and the Latin Business Association that will target disadvantaged youths who have promising potential.

Innovation Through Technology Business of the Year - Karrie Chan & Edwin Cheung, Co-owners and Founders of Rabbit Air (Downey, CA)

Co-founded by Edwin Cheung and Karrie Chan in 2001, Rabbit Air designs and manufactures high-quality HEPA air purifiers to improve the lives of those suffering from allergies, asthma and other environmental sensitivities. The advanced air purification system is as aesthetically pleasing as it is healthful in purging the air of 99.97 percent of allergens and pollutants. Both Cheung and Chan believe that air purification is a science as well as an art and combine extensive research with innovative design.  Rabbit Air products have been featured in numerous magazine articles and on a television show featuring hot new products. Sales have increased more than 150% in the past two years. Rabbit Air also has a commitment to quality customer service, offering 24-hour technical support along with a five-year warranty on all their products. The employees also contribute to the company's innovation and are treated as family - communication is a top priority.  A recently launched special edition product donates five percent of all sales to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Minority Small Business Champions of the Year (tie with Frank Quevedo) - Sandy Cajas, President and CEO of Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (Long Beach, CA)

Sandy Cajas is President and CEO of the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (RHCC) for Los Angeles. Cajas has more than 15 years of expertise as a small business owner herself. Through her ongoing efforts in the marketing and advertising of multi-ethnic events and fundraisers, the RHCC is a strong advocate for small business, providing advice and information about financial and procurement opportunities, technical assistance and legislative initiatives and actions. RHCC's program "Success Through Diversity" has successfully matched small businesses with governmental agencies for contracts and procurement opportunities. In addition, international trade is a strong component of the portfolio of services that enables further growth for small businesses. Cajas has a strong commitment to underserved markets. "Not only does the Regional Hispanic Chamber give small businesses viability in the business community, it gives them a voice, unity and strength."