County of Santa Clara program helps formerly incarcerated individuals become entrepreneurs

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. – A new County program offers justice-involved individuals an opportunity to make a living for themselves by helping them launch their own businesses. 

The Business Incubator Program, a partnership between the County of Santa Clara Office of Diversion and Reentry Services and ESO Ventures, aims to empower individuals who have experience with the justice system in Santa Clara County with training and capital to start and grow their own small business. 

Access to business ownership is one of the strongest indicators of an equitable and resilient local economy. Across the Bay Area, six percent of businesses are Hispanic-owned, and one percent are Black-owned. Business ownership rates among justice involved residents of the county are similarly disproportionate to their representation in our community.

The program launched in May 2023 to address business ownership disparities by incubating and investing in 40 businesses owned by individuals with a criminal record, over a two-year period.

“The County partnered with us because they know that there are a lot of returning citizens, a lot of folks that have been incarcerated who might not have the economic opportunities,” said Alfredo Matthew III, co-founder of ESO Ventures. “We’re here to help the County help community partners, help everyone in the Bay Area create a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem.” 

In November 2023, the first-ever ReEntry Entrepreneurship Summit was held at West Valley College where 14 formerly incarcerated individuals graduated from the 20-week program. Speakers highlighted the importance of providing justice involved individuals with the resources to reacclimate once released. 

"In so many ways our County is committed to actual public safety, and public safety is not putting people into jail and somehow assuming that things will be better," said Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, president of the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. “Public safety is about engaging with our youth and with young adults and helping them find opportunities to be productively involved in their communities so that they can take care of their families.” 

“They can have a point of pride, they can be self-sufficient, and they can contribute to this incredibly vibrant community that is so diverse, and about which we say everyone is welcome,” Ellenberg continued.  “We have to walk that walk and make sure it’s feasible.”  

Among those who graduated from the program is Alberto Tirrez. 

Tirrez is the owner of Foto Bombers Booth and said the program gave him the tools he needed to unlock his potential as a business owner. 

“Being from that lifestyle, me growing up selling drugs and all that, I already had the entrepreneurial mindset, but I just didn’t know it,” said Tirrez. “Ten times out of nine we’re sitting in a cell 23 hours a day. We get our one-hour recreation, so we’re constantly thinking about what we’re going to do when we come home.” 

Tirrez was staying at a sober living environment in San Jose when he came across a news report about the new program. Inspired about a program helping justice involved individuals, Tirrez made a phone call and was soon after accepted. 

In June 2023, Tirrez and his wife launched Foto Bombers Booth.

"I was already running a Fortune 500 company by myself without even knowing but when you start getting educated and you start really taking a step back and looking at things, it makes you want to just go ahead,” said Tirrez. 

“And with a program like this that helps you, shows you, and guides you all the way and is there to answer questions, it just motivates you a lot more and you feel like you can do it,” Tirrez added. “You’re not stuck in that stigma of this is what I am, this is all I am going to be.” 

The partnership between the County and ESO Ventures provides entrepreneurs access to business development training, mentorship, financial resources, and support services such as bookkeeping, marketing, and legal assistance. 

To learn more about the program visit the Diversion and Reentry Services website.