Paris Hilton Helps Local Women-Owned Businesses Rebuild After Eaton Fire

Several Pasadena-based business owners received $25,000 grants to help rebuild their businesses lost in the Eaton Fire. Recipients include owners of childcare centers, bakeries, bookshops, dance studios, and salons, including the Little Red Hen, Octavia’s Bookshelf, and Pasadena Rosebud Academy.

“One of our parents sent us a video of [the school] on fire,” Shawn Brown, founder and executive director of the Rosebud Academy, told Pasadena Now in an interview after the fire. “We knew at that point that, for the most part, our school had burned.”

The Pasadena Women’s Business Center also received a $25,000 grant. The money will be used to offer free advising services to local entrepreneurs.

“[Fifty] incredible women-owned businesses have been awarded grants to help them rebuild and thrive,” the center posted on its website. “They represent the heart of their communities—from beloved neighborhood restaurants and childcare centers to fitness studios, florists, and family-run shops.”

The grants are part of GoFundMe.org’s Wildfire Relief Fund, which has raised $7.7 million from more than 43,000 donors. Hilton herself contributed $150,000 to the fund, which raised $1.2 million in its first week.

“Seeing the overwhelming response from women entrepreneurs in need of support showed us how important and urgent the need is to help this community rebuild,” said Paris Hilton, founder of 11:11 Media Impact, in a prepared statement. “These women are the backbone of their communities, and their resilience is inspiring. Through this powerful partnership, we’re not just helping them rebuild—we’re investing in their futures, their families, and their neighborhoods.”

According to the Los Angeles County’s Economic Development Corporation, the businesses generated $1.4 billion in annual sales and employed 9,600 workers. Economic losses caused by the impacts on these businesses could reach billions.

Kelly LoBianco, director of L.A. County’s Department of Economic Opportunity, emphasized the importance of ensuring businesses remain afloat during the early stages of recovery, as it is essential to their long-term survival and ability to rebuild, in an interview with KTLA Channel 5.

“Making sure they stay afloat now is supercritical so that we can even talk to them about long-term recovery,” said Kelly LoBianco, director of L.A. County’s Department of Economic Opportunity.

Originally, groups planned to hand out 11 grants, but after applications for assistance flooded in, it was decided to hand out 50 grants.

Here is a list of all the winners:

1. Renata Ortega – Orla Floral Studio
2. Nikki High – Octavia’s Bookshelf
3. Barbara Shay & Annisa Faquir – The Little Red Hen Coffee Shop
4. Jiaming Ju – Kun Health
5. Victoria Morris – Morris Made Inc. (Victoria Morris Pottery)
6. Leah Ferrazzani – Ferrazzani’s Pasta & Market
7. Felisa Wright – Wright Family Child Care, LLC
8. Brianna Clark – Altadena Family Childcare
9. Angela Li – Olive Tree Learning Center
10. Thalía Castillo – Rouge Powder Room
11. Betsy Colombo – Unbound Dance Studio
12. Katherine Vourvoulis – Altadena Beverage & Market
13. Stephanie Gilbert – The Social Media CEO
14. Kaiy Smith-Biesman & Hannah Said – Neighbors and Friends
15. Tina Uzzardi – Cheeks + Co
16. Violet Dominguez – New Vibe Gymnastics
17. Adriana Gomez Salazar – Hot Shrimp Mami
18. Paola Guasp – Amara Sito Inc.
19. Isabela Livingstone – June Bug Tattoo
20. Suzanne Down – Cirque Berzerk Productions, Inc.
21. Jessica Christopher – Altadena Cookie Co.
22. Karen Klemens – Mother Moo Creamery
23. Danielle Yasuda – Movement by Kiko
24. Stephanie Hauptli – Hauptli Haus
25. Jessica Mortarotti – Carmela Ice Cream
26. Jenny Caloca – Altadena Bread Co.
27. Ellin Khudadian – Crown Valley Nursery
28. Martha Mendel – Tacos Poncitlan
29. Lisa-Marie Burnside – Elevation Aerial
30. Evonne Smith – New North Natal, LLC (New North)
31. Meika Franz – AMT Vintage
32. Lily Harris – The Sagewood Schoolhouse
33. Olga Liliana Martínez – Rayuela School Inc.
34. Marisa Beasley – Ms. Beasley
35. Megan Sutherland – Megan Sutherland
36. Katherine K. Chen – KKC Consulting
37. Kathy Korman Frey – The Korman Group
38. Renee Fraser – Fraser Communications
39. Jill Shargaa – Shargaa & Company
40. Marilyn Crawford – Crawford Consulting
41. Michele Kessler – Kessler Financial
42. Diane Williams – Williams Consulting
43. Susan K. Smith – Smith & Associates
44. Karen Wilson – Wilson & Associates
45. Cynthia Johnson – Johnson Consulting
46. Patricia Lopez – Lopez Consulting
47. Nancy Davis – Davis Consulting
48. Laura Rodriguez – Rodriguez Consulting
49. Sandra Martinez – Martinez Consulting
50. Maria Garcia – Garcia Consulting

These businesses span various industries, including childcare, retail, food services, and creative arts, reflecting the diverse entrepreneurial spirit of the affected communities.