Small Business Growth & Local Jobs: Cut Red Tape, Grow Opportunity

When I started my company out of a small office in the West Valley, I had no idea it would one day become one of the largest independent insurance firms in Los Angeles. Today, Gaspar Insurance is proud to employ more than 60 people and serve 11,000 clients across Southern California. But the road from dream to reality for many, including many of my clients, was not easy; it is often paved with long waits, endless forms, and unnecessary red tape from City Hall.

The experiences many people have taught me something important. It’s even harder for the next generation of entrepreneurs just getting started. As a person born and raised in Canoga Park, a graduate of our local schools, and deeply committed to the success of our community, what I have heard from too many people is troubling. 

Small businesses are the backbone of the West Valley’s economy. They are where our neighbors work, where our kids get their first jobs, and where families gather. They keep local dollars and help define the character of our community. But too often, City Hall treats small businesses as an afterthought, piling on regulations and delays while offering little real support.

It doesn’t have to be this way. We can clear obstacles, reward entrepreneurship, and build a future where opportunity is within reach for everyone. Here’s how.

Streamline Permitting and Licensing

Ask any business owner in the Valley about their biggest frustration with City Hall, and chances are you’ll hear the same story: the maze of permits, licenses, and approvals that can take months—or even years—to navigate. These delays aren’t just costly for entrepreneurs; they slow down job creation and hold back our entire economy.

We need a top-to-bottom review of the permitting and licensing process to cut needless delays and red tape. Opening a restaurant, a barbershop, or a repair shop shouldn’t feel like climbing a mountain of paperwork. City Hall should be a partner in helping businesses open faster, not a gatekeeper standing in the way.

Level the Playing Field for Honest Operators

At the same time, we must crack down on unlicensed operators who undercut those who follow the rules. Small business owners who play by the book, paying taxes, carrying insurance, and complying with safety standards, shouldn’t be forced to compete against those who cut corners. Fair competition demands enforcement. By holding everyone to the same standard, we protect workers, consumers, and legitimate businesses alike.

Invest in People, Not Ineffective Programs

For too long, City Hall has poured money into incentive programs that look good in a press release but fail to deliver results on the ground. These programs are often too narrow, too bureaucratic, or too poorly managed to make a real impact.

Instead, let’s redirect those funds into training pipelines that prepare Valley youth for skilled, high-paying careers. Imagine partnerships between schools, local businesses, and nonprofits that equip our young people with the skills they need to thrive, whether in technology, trades, or entrepreneurship. By investing in people, we’re not just growing jobs today, we’re building the foundation for long-term prosperity.

A Pro-Growth Agenda for the West Valley

The West Valley has always been a place of opportunity. My own journey, from Canoga Park public schools to founding a thriving business, was possible because this community invested in me. Now it’s my turn to invest back.

That’s why I’ve devoted much of my life to service: from the Discovery Cube Los Angeles to the YMCA, from the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce to the CSUN Nazarian School of Business. In every role, I’ve seen the same truth—when local businesses thrive, the whole community benefits. Jobs grow. Neighborhoods strengthen. Families flourish.

But it won’t happen by accident. It requires leadership that understands the struggles of small businesses firsthand, and the vision to push for change at City Hall.

Small business growth is not just about economics; it’s about dignity, opportunity, and community pride. When we cut red tape, level the playing field, and invest in our people, we unleash the full potential of the West Valley.

I know what’s possible when hard work meets opportunity—because I’ve lived it. Now, I’m ready to fight for policies that ensure every entrepreneur, every worker, and every young person in our community has that same chance to succeed.

The West Valley deserves nothing less.