Check Out Stephanie El Tawil’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie El Tawil.

Hi Stephanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a child of entrepreneurs which is ironic because I really didn’t see a future in small business development until it was happening in front of me. After working several years in retail, I wanted to acquire my MBA and my brother worked for the University of Southern Indiana and said if you work at the University, the degree is free. So, I unknowingly found a job in Outreach and Engagement working for the Opportunity Development department, which connected the outside world to the University. We worked on business feasibility, engineering projects, marketing plans, etc. We also organized all of the innovation & entrepreneurship events and programs, such as the Technology Commercialization Academy which taught students how to commercialize ideas and patents. This was the role that made me realize I not only understood startup and launching a business, but also made me realize I am very passionate about helping people find work that brings them joy. I naturally segwayed into the local economic development organization as the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Director, where I launched a makerspace, acted as a small business advisor for SBDC, and helped many new businesses launch. In 2021, I relocated to Los Angeles and in 2022 found the DTLB Alliance where I again work to attract and retain small businesses in DTLB through advocacy, business navigation, events, and data/relationship management. A big part of my role is understanding what assets and inventory we have available so I can connect people and resources to move projects forward. It’s a lot of data collection, aggregation, analysis, and reporting, which is what I do best. I love that I am able to be a part of so many people’s passions and am trusted to help fill gaps and overcome barriers with/for them.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think one of the biggest hurdles is finding a balance between helping a small business and doing the work for them. Over the years, I’ve learned that the difference between is a want-trepreneur and an entrepreneur is the doing and even though the person/people are lovely, and their idea is amazing, I can’t force someone to take action. It can be a bit disheartening knowing that they have the potential or seeing a failure convince them not to proceed, but I have to keep my role and their role separate and clear.
It’s similar to the hurdles of working in a business improvement district. As a non-profit, we sit adjacent to the City, but I have limited power to impact change. I can influence policy and action (leasing, business development), but I don’t own the property, business, or city policy.
It can be frustrating, but I keep the goals in mind and try to use my knowledge and relationships to help influence those changes in a positive way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a relationship and data manager at my core. I am able to aggregate, analyze, and report on both qualitative and quantitative data to help people making effective and productive decisions. I am really good at sourcing information through relationships and then using that data to influence change. For example, in the last 3 years, I’ve made hundreds of personal connections with property representatives and business owners that I use to “sell” DTLB’s amazing assets. I discover what the person is seeking and connect them to the resources that will benefit them most whether its another property rep, business, or city department that will help move their project along. The questions I get asked always start with “Do you know how” or “Do you know who” because I’m a connector.
I’m most proud of the reputation my Brokers by the Beach events have received. In a few years, I’ve created a networking event that highlights development projects in DTLB that brings interest and investment from LA and Orange Counties to the Southbay area. These events are promoted by several commercial real estate professional groups and have opened many opportunities for not only Downtown, but Long Beach as a whole.
I’m also really proud of the DTLB Food Series, in two years, we have launched 10 new food based businesses in Long Beach through an educational workshop series combined with an incubator-esque food pop-up event that first provides entrepreneurs with the information and then a safe space to put it into practice. The program has been incredibly eye opening at helping us shape policy and processes that are conducive and not restrictive. We also hosted one series entirely in Spanish, which was a LOT of work, but worth it to see the businesses operate today!

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
What a fun question! I think luck is what opened my eyes to the path I am on. As a child raised by small business owners, I had a daunting impression of being your own boss. I was very aware that it is a 24/7 job and involves every family member and friend willing to help. When times were bad in business, they were also bad at home and that experience jaded me a bit. I would have never knowingly sought out business or economic development as a career path. But I discovered a love for this role through my non-linear experience at the University. There are many administrative roles open at any given time at the University. If my luck was different, maybe I would have ended up in financial aid or event planning, but it was Opportunity Development that I was meant to find. Maybe its more of fate than luck, but I think about that moment as a time where I wanted a change and life gave it to me, but I didn’t realize the impact until much, much later.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stephanieeltawil.com
• Instagram: stephanieeltawil
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-lodwick/