From Shaved Ice to Self-Reliance: LA's New Entrepreneurial Classroom

LOS ANGELES, CA – November 25, 2025

Amid the vibrant weekend bustle of the Monterey Park Farmers' Market, past the stalls of heirloom tomatoes and artisanal bread, a simple shaved ice booth operated with a unique purpose this past summer. To the casual customer, it was a welcome stop for a sweet, icy treat. But for the young people running it, this booth was a classroom, a laboratory, and a launchpad. This was the frontline of the Market Ready Program, an innovative initiative by the non-profit Kaimore designed not just to offer a summer job, but to fundamentally reshape the career trajectories of Los Angeles's underserved youth.

This is more than a feel-good story about a summer internship. It represents a tactical shift in workforce development, moving beyond theoretical classroom learning to a model of immersive, hands-on entrepreneurship. By placing young people, ages 16 to 29, in charge of a real, cash-flowing business, Kaimore is testing a powerful thesis: that the most effective way to break cycles of generational poverty is to equip individuals with the skills, confidence, and direct experience of running a business from the ground up.

A New Blueprint for Workforce Development

The shaved ice booth is the most visible component of a much larger, more intricate strategy. It serves as a practical career track within Kaimore's comprehensive Market Ready Program, a nine-month ecosystem designed to guide what are often termed “Opportunity Youth”—young people disconnected from both school and the workforce—toward stable careers and financial independence. Before they ever serve a single customer, participants engage in Financial Literacy masterclasses and a Business 101 course, culminating in a Pitch Day Competition. The internship is the crucible where this theoretical knowledge is forged into practical wisdom.

Here, interns aren't just employees; they are acting entrepreneurs. They manage inventory, devise strategies to attract foot traffic, handle daily sales and cash flow, and learn the critical art of customer service. These are not abstract lessons from a textbook; they are real-world challenges with immediate consequences and tangible rewards. The program's design addresses a core challenge in traditional job training: the gap between knowledge and application. Kaimore bridges that gap with a low-risk, high-support environment.

"The goal of our farmer's market track...is to help youth build confidence and their own identity," explained Joyce Lam, Kaimore's Executive Director. "We give them the opportunity to discover their strengths and work on their weaknesses in a safe space. They learn a lot about customer service, organizational skills, and other soft skills–and they take those wherever they go in life." This focus on holistic development—blending hard business metrics with essential soft skills—is what sets the model apart. It's an investment in human potential, built on the belief that capability, once unlocked, is a permanent asset.

The Power of Partnership and Place

A venture this ambitious cannot operate in a vacuum. Kaimore’s success is a testament to a powerful model of community collaboration. The Market Ready Program is funded in part by major institutions like the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, a philanthropic heavyweight that has strategically focused on supporting "Opportunity Youth." Kaimore’s recognition as a 2024 Hilton Foundation winner through the LA2050 platform is a significant endorsement, signaling that its approach aligns with evidence-based strategies for tackling systemic inequity.

These partnerships provide more than just financial fuel; they offer institutional validation and a network for scaling impact. By embedding its program within the community fabric—partnering with a public school district and a major foundation—Kaimore ensures its efforts are part of a larger, coordinated push for economic justice in the region. The choice of the Monterey Park Farmers' Market is equally strategic. It provides a diverse, real-world commercial setting, grounding the learning experience in the local economy and fostering a sense of community engagement among the interns.

"Programs like ours exist because everyone deserves a chance to succeed, no matter where they start," said Esther Ho, Kaimore's Program Coordinator. Her words underscore the mission's core philosophy. The program isn't about giving handouts; it's about providing access and support. "By meeting people where they're at and walking alongside them, we help people become who they were always meant to be... Our programs remind us that when we invest in people, we strengthen the entire community."

From Micro-Venture to Macro-Impact

For the interns, the experience is transformative. Many reported it was their first time managing a business-like operation from start to finish. The daily rhythm of prepping materials, attracting customers, and balancing the books demystifies the world of entrepreneurship, making it feel accessible and achievable. This hands-on experience builds what Kaimore team member Ariana Garcia calls a crucial bridge. "I think this program is important because it can help youth transition from a school setting to adulthood," she noted. "Market Ready has it all, whether youth want to pursue college or a job."

The program's structure, which includes a forthcoming Side Hustle Accelerator, acknowledges the changing nature of work. It empowers young people not only to seek traditional employment but also to create their own income streams, fostering a mindset of self-reliance that is invaluable in today's gig economy. The skills learned—financial management, teamwork, public speaking, problem-solving—are universally transferable, applicable whether an intern goes on to launch their own full-fledged business, excel in a corporate role, or pursue higher education.

As this summer's program concludes, Kaimore is already looking ahead. The organization plans to expand the internship next year, securing more spots for participants, forging partnerships with additional farmers' markets across Los Angeles, and deepening its mentorship offerings. This immediate plan for growth is part of a much larger vision, one that includes establishing a transformative facility with transitional housing and a full suite of wraparound services. The shaved ice booth, then, is not the endgame. It is a powerful, scalable proof of concept, demonstrating that with the right blend of opportunity, mentorship, and real-world experience, a small community-based venture can generate an outsized impact on individual lives and the economic health of a city.