Circosphere
” John DeGaetano, my SBDC advisor, helped me significantly in my business recovery from Covid-19. With the help of the SBDC I successfully was granted
PPP, Shuttered Venue Grant and Supplemental and the CA Venue Grant.”
Business Owner Kristen Parks originally launched Circosphere to provide better
work opportunities and higher pay for herself as a working artist. She leveraged
her extensive experience in community organizing and program management
and built a thriving business model that blends artistry with event management,
growing the company into a large team of talented performers, costumers, and
stage managers.
Circosphere is a woman-owned cirque entertainment company specializing in unique, interactive, and WOW-factor performances for special events. With over a decade of experience entertaining audiences for all occasions, their extensive planning allowed them to feature astounding talent, supportive staff, and bespoke costuming guaranteed to leave the guests with memories to last a lifetime. They offer an incredible variety of entertainment options for live and virtual events; from breathtaking acrobatic acts, to whimsical strolling characters and live music.
Challenge
Kristen faced challenges in navigating the process to apply for grants post COVID-19. Additionally, post COVID19 Kristen and her team had to manage the unpredictability of last-minute bookings as well as extended periods of economic uncertainty, with most clients scheduling events less than 30 days in advance. This led to operational bottlenecks and increased financial risks due to the absence of committed revenue.
Game Plan
She started working with an East Bay SBDC advisor who has played a pivotal role in helping the business recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and supporting its growth. The support included successfully securing critical funding, including PPP loan, Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, and California Venues Grant. In the last few years, Kristen has significantly increased sales and expanded the team by hiring six additional part-time employees, bringing the total to 10. She was also able to raise employee wages, rent a larger space to accommodate growth, and purchase a cargo van to support operations.
Results
Kristen shared that the most impactful support provided by the East Bay SBDC was guiding her through complex paperwork and applications loans and grants. In addition, her advisor has provided consistent support, focusing on strategies to drive revenue growth and expansion while addressing operational challenges.
