Corner Pop-Up Gives Entrepreneurs Space To Test Their Ideas

By Denny Cristale

Emerald Austin had always dreamed about opening her own baking business and sharing her sweets with the community. But for years, she never took the time to act on her passion. A health scare in October 2018 changed everything. “That prompted me to say, ‘You know what, I finally have to do what I want to do,’” she said.

The Bixby Knolls resident then took efforts to make her concept come to life. After utilizing the resources of the Long Beach Small Business Development Center to expand her knowledge of being a business owner, she applied for a business license in February to introduce her dream to Long Beach: Royal Gourmet Cookies.

Currently operating out of her home, Austin said she aspires to open an actual shop for the community to visit. Later this year, she will get a chance to run a pop-up version of her business as the first entrepreneur to utilize the Corner Pop-Up.

Read more on the Long Beach Business Journal