Perhaps the first indication of Feliciano Zavala's potential for entrepreneurial success was a rapid promotion from truck driver to general manager during his ten year employment period with a party rental company. In 2005, the business-minded Feliciano followed his instincts, placed his bet and rolled the dice. Quitting his job with the party rental company, he and his wife opened the doors of their own business, Peninsula Party Rentals.
Now, the busy and successful party rental and supply company services a clientele as diverse as you can imagine, from churches to schools, to large corporations such as Yahoo!. Feliciano was recognized as Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year at Renaissance's annual fundraising gala in September 2008. Feliciano met a Renaissance/Start Up staff member during a local community event and immediately accepted a free consultation offer. He then enrolled in Start Up courses in the spring of 2004, during which he developed a business plan for his ideas and learned about legal and financial issues facing small business owners.
The next phase of the story unfolded quickly; Feliciano acquired the lease rights for a storefront space and applied for a small business loan from Lenders for Community Development, which he used to purchase merchandise to begin building his inventory.
He has grown his business to employ four additional full-time staff members and keeps busy nearly seven days a week. Peninsula Party Rentals specializes in decorations for children's birthday parties, weddings, church and corporate events, and rents jumpers, cotton candy and popcorn machines. Their motto is, "We deliver happiness!"
Owning his own company has provided Feliciano and his wife not only increased financial security for their family of six, which includes 5 year old twins, but also a sense of confidence and independence in managing and growing their own business affairs. "I was able to buy my own house and provide more security for my wife and our four kids," says Feliciano. "Now I'm my own boss and when mistakes are made, I answer only to myself."
"Renaissance/Start Up has helped me achieve my business dreams, and shown me how a business owner can give back to my community," Feliciano noted. He is proud to sponsor his community's Little League team.
Peninsula Party Rentals
(650) 964-4045