Announcement
IRC's Entrepreneur of the Year, Rana Jajju was forced to close her business twice as a result of the pandemic. Her resilience and leadership as a small business owner was recognized as part of IRC's #10DaysofTaste virtual event series.
Threading by Ranna business owner named 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year
In August of 2015, Ranna Jajju become a first-time small businessowner when she opened up "Threading by Ranna," a full-service salon in Linda Vista.
Before COVID-19 hit, Ranna, a former Iraqi refugee, owned and managed "Threading by Ranna." which had two successful, full-service salon locations.
Photo: Threading by Ranna
"What made me want to start me own business was my dream of becoming more successful and creating a better life for myself," said Ranna. Less than three years later, she opened up a second salon in El Cajon, setting up a new space to provide threading and wax services as well as complete hair styling to her community. After almost a decade in the United States, Ranna, a former Iraqi refugee, became a self-made and successful entrepreneur with two thriving salon businesses. This year, she was named IRC's 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year for her leadership and resilience as a small business owner working to adapt and reconfigure her business during the pandemic.
Like many small business owners, Ranna was hit hard and unexpectedly by the COVID-19 crisis when she was forced to close the doors of her two salons.
"Before COVID, my businesses were doing well and I was able to provide more services and reach more clients.
Ranna re-opened her business in compliance with County health regulations to ensure the safety of her staff and customers.
Photo: Ranna Jajju
Since March, I had to cut down on available services, close my El Cajon salon completely, and lay off some of my employees. I still had to pay rent for the salon through the closure and still needed to support my family financially while I waited for the County's health restrictions to allow for salons to conduct business again," said Ranna.
With the help of the IRC, Ranna was able to get $6,755 from the Small Business Assocation (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program. She worked closely with Kellie Quinn, IRC Small Business Development Center's Senior Microentreprise Business Counselor, to apply for relief funding for small businesses, including support from the SBA.
Kellie nominated Ranna for the Entrepreneur of the Year award, as part of IRC's 10 Days of A Taste of the IRC virtual event series.
"Ranna truly embodies the spirit of an entrepreneur. I have watched her persist throughout this pandemic as a businesswoman, looking to adapt and expand her business," said Kellie. "Ranna is so deserving of the Entrepreneur of the Year award. She has also been very resourceful and prepared to keep her business open during COVID-19 by working with the IRC SBDC to access emergency funding."
Ranna also recently awarded a $5,000 grant through the City of San Diego Small Business Relief Fund. She was able to use these funds to pay wages for staff, rent, utilities, and security services.
Threading by Ranna is open and accepting appointments. You can call 858-345-7792 to make an appointment or visit her website at ThreadingbyRanna.com.
Photo: Threading by Ranna
As businesses have started to reopen, Ranna has experienced an influx of new clients, namely from her participation in the ”We Are Open” campaign in the Union Tribune.
"Getting the award from the IRC was the happiest I have felt throughout this pandemic. It has been a tough time, but the award recognition gave me the strength to continue to work hard. I think now I am able to build something or add something to my business that may have been missing pre-COVID...to make things better ultimately," said Ranna.
Ranna says that COVID-19 has taught her to think of the future and to make business decisions "not on today, but for tomorrow." Her salon in Linda Vista is open and is currently accepting new clients. You can visit her salon in Linda Vista and schedule an appointment by calling as 858-345-7792 or on her website. Stay connected to Ranna by following her on Facebook and Instagram.