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Date: 5/3/2024
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PDT)
Registration Deadline: 5/3/2024 11:00 AM (PDT)
Point of Contact: Ruth Garcia-Corrales
Location: 7500 Alabama Ave, Canoga Park CA 91303-1553
Training Topics: Business Financing, Managing a Business, Woman-owned Businesses
After eleven separate surgeries involving cancer, Dolphin was sent home with tubes and plastic drainage bulbs, sutured to the skin and safety-pinned to her clothes, to siphon off blood and other post-surgery fluids. These drains were uncomfortable, annoying and have a high risk of accidentally ripping from the stitches.
Cinde’s experience led her to develop a unique mesh pouch called KILI Medical Drain Carrier. This innovative medical mesh pouch provides a simple solution for post-op patients that allows bathing and also safely protects drains and drain lines, a vast improvement over the safety pins traditionally used post-surgery.
“I’m so fortunate to survive cancer, and now I have the opportunity to give back to individuals having to face a similar trauma of a cancer diagnosis. The valuable support provided by SBA advisors has allowed me to establish a small business that responds to a big challenge for post-surgical patients,” according to Dolphin.
Cinde exports her products to Romania and has used assistance from the SBA and the SBDC. SBA assistance included a small business loan, while export consulting services were funded by the SBDC Northern California Network. The Northern California World Trade Center helped Cinde successfully enter the world of international trade.
“The SBA is so proud to recognize Cinde Dolphin and KILI Medical Drain Carrier as the 2024 Small Business Exporter of the Year for the Central California region,” said Dawn Golik, Fresno District Office Director. “The Small Business Administration is honored to have supported Cinde’s success with several of our programs and her inspiring story also led to the SBA recognizing her as the Regional Small Business Exporter for this year,” said Golik.