SF Parking
Patty Rodriguez believes in second chances. She founded SF Parking in 2011 and has since employed more than 200 people in full-time and part-time work, including formerly incarcerated individuals to help them get back on their feet. In her own words, “Providing a job gives that person a chance to move on with their lives and stay out of trouble. They’ve paid their debt; and all they want to do is put their life right. Just give them a chance.”
SF Parking oversees two 15-car parking lots in San Francisco and manages the employee garage at San Francisco International Airport. To help her grow her business, Patty has received two loans from Working Solutions. In 2012, she received a $25,000 loan. “I needed money to service the contracts I had,” she said. “Without the loan, I wouldn’t have been able to grow the way I have.” To help expand her services, she received another loan from Working Solutions in 2018, this time for $40,000 through the Entrepreneurs of Color Fund in San Francisco, a collaborative partnership of three CDFIs—Working Solutions, Pacific Community Ventures, and ICA Fund Good jobs—funded by JPMorgan Chase.
PATTY RODRIGUEZ, FOUNDER OF SF PARKING, CHATS WITH CONCIERGE GILBERT GALLEGOS AT SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (PHOTO BY SCOTT STRAZZANTE/SF CHRONICLE)
In conjunction with each loan through Working Solutions, Patty received financial advice and business coaching. “They truly want to help and not just in lending money, but they want to make sure that small businesses thrive,” she said. “It’s a family-like environment and they have great resources. If I have someone starting a business or needing advice, I would refer them to Working Solutions. I am very grateful for all of the services they’ve been able to provide. I think it’s great what they’re doing for minority businesses.”
Patty wants to continue to grow her business. She envisions SF Parking expanding beyond a regional company. She recently received a federal certification—Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, or ACDBE—that will allow her to apply for contracts in other parts of the country.
When it comes to growing her company, Patty wants to do good business, but she also wants to leave a legacy. “I want to be able to leave something for my children and future generations of our family,” she said. “This is now a family business. For me, I’d love for my kids and grandkids to continue the family business and make it their own.”
Media Highlights:
Featured on JPMorgan Chase’s website
Featured on the Opportunity Finance Network website on September 29, 2019: “Entrepreneur grows her San Francisco parking business with support from CDFIs”
Featured in JPMorgan Chase’s 2019 Corporate Responsibility Report: “Return on Community”
Featured in El Diario La Prensa on March 31, 2019: “A la hora de estacionar el carro, esta latina se ocupa”
Interviewed on ChedHER (a show about women in business) on February 15, 2019: “Empowering the Latinx Community Through Entrepreneurship”
Featured in the San Francisco Chronicle on January 12, 2019: “Small loans make big difference for businesses owned by women, minorities”
Video from 2015 Invest in Dreams Breakfast, where SF Parking was honored with the Inspire Award
Read more Working Solutions Client Success Stories here.