A $10,000 grant from Rams and Verizon surprises a small company owner.
The Los Angeles Rams, in collaboration with Verizon, organized a panel discussion and networking event to inform representatives of over 35 Certified #RamsHouses about the advantages of the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program and the resources that are available to them for their businesses.
Lupe Tlatenchi, the owner of GTLA Apparel, a small business in the area, was pleasantly surprised with a $10,000 grant from the Verizon Digital Ready program as part of the event. Tlatenchi was honored by the Rams and Verizon for her efforts to promote equitable and sustainable manufacturing in Los Angeles through her creative clothing line.
Tlatenchi expressed gratitude for being a part of Verizon Digital Ready and was motivated to make even greater use of the program. “Everything occurs at the appropriate moment. The Verizon Digital Ready courses are quite helpful and resourceful, especially for businesses like mine, so I want to continue attending more of them.”
Entrepreneur and Rams Super Bowl XXXIV champion Justin Watson attended the networking event to facilitate a panel discussion and Q&A with Tlatenchi and area Certified Rams House small business reps. Gustavo Chavez, owner of Carnitas El Artista, and Shanita Nicholas, co-owner of Sip & Sonder, took part in the panel discussion to inform participants from other Certified #RamsHouse businesses about the advantages of Verizon’s program. Additionally, they talked about their experiences starting and managing small businesses while putting their communities first and inspiring clients.
Daniel Butler, senior manager of Verizon’s corporate social responsibility strategy, stated, “It’s vital to make sure that we’re delivering sufficient resources to those small businesses who may not have the advantages or the chances that other firms have around the country.”
Butler believes that Verizon’s relationship with the Rams will help them meet their 2030 target of connecting and helping one million small companies. “Reaching small businesses is what we value together.”
In response to the fact that many businesses in the apparel sector do not adhere to ethical and sustainable business standards, Tlatenchi founded her own fashion factory in 2017 with a focus on sustainability and fair and equitable hiring.
“I was running my business,, and I felt alone about three years ago,” Tlatenchi said, elaborating on the benefits of Verizon’s program. “Participating in a network with other founders and entrepreneurs just gives you greater confidence and a support system that gets you.”
With over 40 courses, peer networking, mentoring, and one-on-one professional coaching, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is a free online program that gives small businesses the skills to thrive in the digital economy. A $10,000 grant is given out annually to a few chosen small enterprises, and highly active users—those who have completed at least two courses on the platform—can also apply for this opportunity.
The Rams established the Certified Rams House initiative in 2020 with the goal of assisting companies in the Los Angeles area. The Rams focus efforts on the small companies of Season Ticket Members, businesses in Inglewood, as well as black-owned and Latino-owned businesses throughout Los Angeles. Each Certified #RamsHouse is given branded window decals, banners, shirts, hats, and other accessories as part of the initiative to show off their Rams pride. Supporters of the Rams are urged to visit certified #RamsHouse establishments on designated days and to post about their experiences on social media using the hashtag #RamsHouse. Since the inception of the Certified #RamsHouse initiative, the team has supported more than 75 local businesses and over 40 small businesses in Inglewood. Visit to find out more about the Certified #RamsHouse initiative.
