How long have you been in business?:

15 yrs

Describe your business:

The Annex is a little neighborhood beer bar built in 1952. It is always filled with regulars, and is an unpretentious place to be. There is an antique shuffleboard table, Internet jukebox, NFL package with 7 flat screen TVs, a Glacier cooled beer system with 12 tap beers, plenty of parking, $1 street tacos on Sat/Sun, hot dogs, and lots of nice barmaids to serve you.We were just written up on the front page of “Cheers” in the Press-Telegram (Sept 30th 2010)

Read the rest of The Annex a Neighborhood Bar Where Everybody Knows Your Name

EverythingLongBeach recently spoke with Caroline Aizawa, owner of GST Body LB, via email. They talked about inspirations, challenges and what’s it’s like having a business on Retro Row.

How long have you been in business?:

I just moved into the We Move Studio in April.

Describe your business:

Grace Somatomorphic Technique, GST is a movement technique derived from Pilates and expanded into three-dimensional and dynamic choreography that is creative, beautiful and fun.

Read the rest of GST Body LB Striving to Make Working Out Creative, Beautiful and Fun

How long have you been in business?

We’ve been in business since September 2009 and recently launched our website in April 2010—www.daycare-compare.com.

Describe your business:

Our business is offering better marketing solutions for daycares with a strong focus in the California region. In today’s economy, daycares need all the opportunities available to ensure they have enough enrollments. Now, daycares need to compete with 10% unemployment, let alone other daycares.

Why did you start Stempke Marketing Partners?

My wife and I were looking for a daycare and had difficulty finding information on existing daycare listing websites. The technology used was old, the layout was not intuative, and we though, “we can do better!”

Read the rest of Stempke Marketing Partners: Long Beach native serves Southern California online

How long have you been in business?:

Brand New business since 2010

Describe your business:

We are a production company that creates promotional videos and photography for small businesses and performing artist.

Read the rest of RawWill Studios Inc. helping small businesses and performing artist achieve their promotional needs

How long have you been in business? 1 year

Describe your business:

We are a coalition of health-minded women who have come together to promote wellness through an active lifestyle and piles and piles of produce. Aliye owns Beachgreens, an organic produce delivery service in Long Beach. Cheyana owns Nutrition Roots, a whole-foods based nutritional consulting and personal training business. Emily owns South Bay Fit Camp, a fitness boot camp and personal training company with a “recess” approach.

Why did you start Vitality Entrepreneurs?

We really believe in each others’ passions and what we each offer to the community, so we decided to join forces to help spread the word and keep each other company at local fairs and events.

Read the rest of Health-minded women promote Vitality in business

Describe The Document Diva:

I offer mobile notary services in which I travel to businesses, residences, hospitals, convalescent homes, jails, courts, etc to notarize documents as a matter of convenience or of necessity for clients. I also provide an apostille service which processes documents for use out of the country.

Why did you start a mobile notary service?

I started my business because after a work injury I had no desire to go back to a regular 9 to 5. I wanted to have more control over my time and happiness. I first thought about becoming a notary years back but I never pursued it so when the opportunity presented itself again I took advantage of it.

Read the rest of Need a mobile notary? Meet the Document Diva

How long has Preferred Debt Solutions been in business?

Preferred Debt Solutions has been in the city of Bellflower and serving the greater Long Beach area for the past three years.

Describe your business:

Preferred Debt Solutions is a full service attorney-based debt settlement company. We offer the best debt settlement program to deal with unsecured consumer debt. We can help with credit cards, medical bills, repossessed cars, store cards, payday loans, and any other unsecured debts.

Why did you start Preferred Debt Solutions?

I started my business to help people that we struggling with debt. It is a hard problem to deal with and a big decision. I felt that people needed a local business that they could meet face to face with, get honest advice, and feel safe that their problem is in good hands.

Read the rest of Preferred Debt Solutions: Local business offers face-to-face service

How long have you been in business?

In August 2009, Studio 1021 opened for our grand opening art show.  After a fabulous turnout of 150 people, we geared up for art classes.  November of 2009 marked the beginning of our art classes, and we look forward to expanding further!

Read the rest of Studio 1021; A Place Where Local Artists Shine and the Community Gets Creative

Heather, the crafty owner of Brianne's Basics, holds up the baskets her family donated to Operation Easter Basket.

EverythingLongBeach recently spoke with Heather, Crafter/Volunteer of Brianne’s Basics, via email. They talked about inspirations, challenges and what’s it’s like having running business with the main goal of giving profits away.

How long have you been in business?

I started my “business” about 10 years ago. It’s evolved quite a bit since then.

Describe Brianne’s Basisc:

Brianne’s Basics is all about heart. I sell handmade crafts and unique gifts: bookmarks, home decor, purses, wallets, jewelry, and more. I’ve recently started selling craft supplies as well. I donate 100% of our profits to various local organizations.

Why did you start Brianne’s Basics?

I started my business many years ago as a way for people to get unique handmade gifts. Handmade items add character to every occasion. The name actually came from my mom (Brianne is my middle name). I’ve been doing crafts since I was 5 years old. It’s a natural progression for me.

Read the rest of Brianne’s Basics: Business is part retail, part charity, all heart

How long have you been in business? 7 years.

Describe Club Z!:

We offer, quality, one-on-one, in-home tutoring for students of all ages and in all subjects, in the comfort and safety of their home.  Our tutors are either credentialed teachers, or they have degrees in the subjects that they teach.

We work with the schools to help students to do better in their own classes and to gain confidence through the school’s curriculum.

Why did you start Club Z! In-Home Tutoring?

Both Area Directors, Amy and Shelly are credentialed teachers.  When they had their children, it was a no-brainer to start tutoring.  The business grew to include around 30 area teachers as a part of their Club Z! Team.

It was a way for them to still help students, be involved in education and to be able to work from home.

Read the rest of Club Z! brings tutoring home to Long Beach area students

How long has The Keen Machine in business?:

I have been in the business for just under 2 years.

Describe your business:

The Keen Machine is a single source solutions provider for graphic, print and web design.

We provide cost effective high quality services such as develop marketing strategies, build brands, manage event, design websites, host websites, design printed items like business cards, flyers, catalogs, banner and posters, etc.

Why did you start The Keen Machine?

I started my business because I have 15 years of Design, Marketing, Business and Management experience that I want to share. My daugher is 18 now and getting ready for the rest of her life, I have brought her this far and I have always tried to impress upon her the knowledge that she can accomplish anything she wants to if she puts her heart into it.

So with that said, I had been planning to start this business for several years, then one day I woke up and the timing was right.

Read the rest of The Keen Machine: A source for graphics, marketing in Long Beach

EverythingLongBeach recently spoke with Aliye Aydin (center), owner of beachgreens, via email. They talked about inspirations, challenges and what’s it’s like having a sustainable food business in Long Beach.

How long has beachgreens been in business?:

Since October 2007–so 2.5 years.

Describe beachgreens:

We deliver seasonal boxes of all locally grown sustainably grown produce direct from farms in southern and central California to customers in Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, and portions of Huntington Beach.

Our customers sign up online to receive weekly, every other week, or monthly deliveries of fresh produce.  Customers can choose between 3 box sizes, as well as their fruit to vegetable ratio, and fruits or vegetables they DON’T wish to receive.  All deliveries come with recipes.

Why did you start beachgreens?

Read the rest of BeachGreens delivers locally-grown produce from farm to door

How long have you been in business?:

1 month

Describe Powerhouse Fitness. How do you help your clients?

The chances of becoming an Olympian are probably slim, but hey, you can still train like one.

Power House Fitness offers Rowbics Indoor rowing classes, taught by U.S. National Team rowers. It is the new sport of choice in Long Beach (and the only place you can try it). Inside the boathouse and studio anyone can take the one-hour indoor rowing classes paired with strength training techniques. The benefits? Rowing burns up to 800 calories an hour (that’s more than running), and because it’s no impact, it’s easy on the knees.

Read the rest of Powerhouse Fitness: Row for the Gold with Olympic-level trainers

How long have you been in business?:

12 years

Describe AudioGirl Productions:

Sylvia Aimerito, and Lori Rae Martin  are principal founders and owners of AudioGirl Productions. Along with a team of professionals, Team AudioGirl is an award winning full-service production company for both broadcast and non-broadcast projects. Their work can be seen on  TV, radio, on-line training/e-learning, and Web projects.

Read the rest of AudioGirl Productions: Media duo broadcasts from Long Beach

Today, with direct permission from the family of Joe Pilates, and with a trademarked Springwall that would make Joe proud, Pilates Joe Fitness Studio (with its human-lettered “P” and “J” logo) continues the tradition of providing well-rounded fitness in a personal, affordable, and helpful environment.

Read the rest of Pilates Joe: A friendly, affordable fitness studio

How long have you been in business?:

15 years

For those that don’t know, describe La Strada:

The Best Homemade Italian… La Strada!

La Strada is your neighborhood restaurant. Our customers are a treasured part of the La Strada family and many say we are their second home. Your visit will begin by being greeted by a friendly face, followed by the arrival of a basket of our famous bread that has just been baked in our pizza ovens. What comes next will be the most delicious home-cooked Italian food you will ever taste. From the simple and basic Penne Pomodoro to the more elaborate Lobster Ravioli, all of our dishes are cooked to your order with the freshest ingredients and with extra care.

Read the rest of La Strada serves homemade Italian food in Belmont Shore

When Nicholas Adams started his own holiday lighting business as a 14-year-old, he probably never dreamed that it would eventually evolve to become the leading event lighting company in Southern California.

“Our clients love the holidays, but have limited time or just don’t want to scale the ladder, buy the decorations, or untangle the lights. We can help!” Adams said. “We decorate everything from simple houses to grand apartment buildings. Give us an idea and we are happy to develop an overall design.”

St. Nick’s Christmas Light Service, which was founded in 1994, will handle the hassle of hanging Christmas lights so you don’t have to.

Read the rest of St Nick’s celebrates 15 years of holiday lighting in Southern California

EverythingLongBeach recently spoke with eino yost, Clinic Administrator of Pacific Family Health Clinic, via email. They talked about inspirations, challenges and what’s it’s like having a health business in West Long Beach.

How long has the clinic been in business?:

The Pacific Family health Clinic, outpatient clinic of the Pacific Hospital of Long Beach has been in business for over 50 years.

Describe your business:

Our business is delivering outpatient services at this Family Medicine Clinic and offer services in Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Internal Medicine, and, Dermatology.

Read the rest of Pacific Family Health Clinic

If you think this logo looks tasty, wait until you try the cupcakes.

Okay, so who wants to visit another cupcake shop? Well, Sweet Embellishments Dessert Bar is definitely not just another cupcake shop! It offers a great deal more.

After much anticipation from sugar-loving residents (like me!), Sweet Embellishments opened in September 2009 at 5555 Stearns Street in Long Beach. The dessert bar is located in a corner-spot of the Los Altos Shopping Center, a few stores down from Trader Joe’s.

Owner Jenn Millan, who grew up in Long Beach and is a CSULB grad, has honed her 20-year passion for baking into a wonderful, local surprise.

Read the rest of Sweet Embellishments Dessert Bar: Treats that need no reason to celebrate

Where do you want your family to be photographed? Where will your engagement pictures be taken? Who can get your baby to giggle?

Dana Leigh. Dana Leigh Photography. For the past five years, she has specialized in photographing families, children, parents-to-be (maternity) and infants, as well as family pets. Dana began her career through in-house designing for a scrapbook company in 1998, and knows a good arrangement, a good scene and the perfect light to ensure beautiful and memorable photographs.

Read the rest of Dana Leigh Photography puts the focus on families, children and pets