https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/free-covid-19-assistance daily 0.75 2022-07-11 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/free-covid-19-assistance/sacramento-fitness-studio-roundtable monthly 0.5 2020-12-14 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/free-covid-19-assistance/digital-marketing-training monthly 0.5 2020-11-30 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/free-covid-19-assistance/commercial-lease-help-for-small-fitness-studios-how-to-negotiate-modify-or-deal-with-a-potential-eviction monthly 0.5 2020-11-09 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/free-covid-19-assistance/https/rbgy/28blix monthly 0.5 2020-10-19 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/free-covid-19-assistance/fitness-reopening-guidelines monthly 0.5 2020-10-14 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/free-covid-19-assistance/cpawebinar monthly 0.5 2020-10-02 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/news daily 0.75 2025-04-04 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/news/why-its-time-to-invest-in-wellness-fitness-businesses-in-san-diego monthly 0.5 2025-04-04 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/news/locally-well-san-diego-article-by-casffa-founder-erica-castillo monthly 0.5 2025-04-04 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/news/casffa-featured-on-america-trends monthly 0.5 2025-03-18 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/news/casffa-covid19-grants-fitness monthly 0.5 2025-03-18 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/news/blog-post-casffa-helps-small-fitness monthly 0.5 2021-02-18 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/our-team daily 0.75 2025-05-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee6c6ea823f2d3a2ee440e3/af183d16-98c3-4224-b35d-fd2ce04c16ec/IMG_6602.jpg Our Team - Erica Castillo Co-Founder + Executive Director Tobias Keene, D.D.S. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Tobias Keene brings a bit of unabashed Southern hospitality to all his patients. He moved to Washington, D.C. over thirty years ago as a freshman at Ivy College. Right after graduation, he attended World University’s School of Dentistry. Before opening Keene Dental in 1994, he worked for free clinics and some of the finest practices in the District. He is part of the 123 Dental Association and stays up-to-date on the latest dental discoveries. When not striving to keep his patients happy and healthy, he’s enjoys hiking with his family in Rock Creek Park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee6c6ea823f2d3a2ee440e3/1592854042041-IS897RWLKA9QZQXQREXK/MariaBardetSFFA.jpg Our Team - Maria Bardet Co-Founder + Small Business Advisor Maria is a small business strategist, Founder of Humani Studios. Inc, and Co-Founder of the CASFFA. Going from a job in public policy to starting a small business (without an MBA ), Maria knows what it takes to run a top-notch company with the right team. I was literally doing everything in my business — from writing contracts, to mopping floors, fixing equipment, teaching, to writing newsletters and employee handbooks late at night. I realized that in order for my business to succeed and for me to stay healthy in the process, I need to standardize my systems and seek the wisdom and assistance of the right professionals across a variety of industries. So, I created team that would support me, so I could support my business. Maria's biggest joy now is helping others in creating a career and life that feel meaningful and sustainable. After 8 years of operating her own business, and leaning into the experience she gained working in the California State Capitol, Maria now works with fitness studio owners who want to become more profitable, attract and retain the right employees, and use their time to do work that feels fulfilling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee6c6ea823f2d3a2ee440e3/1625983000174-T8VATGU2BL0V1P71S84M/Kelly+Rivas-2602_SM.jpg Our Team - Kelly Fong Rivas Racial Equity Advisor Office of Mayor Darrell Steinberg City of Sacramento https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/our-impact daily 0.75 2025-04-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee6c6ea823f2d3a2ee440e3/1644122087328-XGTHLMVUDHF2VHQQX0GE/unsplash-image-Jx4OJK76lcM.jpg Our Impact - Grants + Services Overview 2020: As fitness, health & wellness-based small businesses in California were disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions & shutdowns, CASFFA Founders, Erica and Maria, formalized the association to advocate for and develop immediate grant funding, programs, and resources specific to fitness, health & wellness-based small businesses. In November 2020, The CASFFA & Unita Solutions (Formerly Erica Castillo Consulting) were selected by the City of Sacramento to develop & facilitate a COVID-19 technical assistance program to provide a series of FREE educational training for fitness, health, and wellness-based businesses affected by the pandemic on a variety of topics with subject matter experts including grant/loan funding, accounting, legal services, code enforcement, Department of Public Health, marketing, public relations, and more. In December 2020, The CASFFA secured $100,000 in CARES Act funding (in partnership with the City of Sacramento) to administer COVID-19 Relief Grants to qualifying small fitness facilities located within the City of Sacramento. 2021: The CASFFA awarded 35 small businesses COVID-19 Relief Small Fitness Facilities Grants for $2,500 per business to use toward operating costs. The grants were awarded to small fitness facilities that experienced the most hardship, with an emphasis on facilities located in underserved communities. See the full list of Grant Recipients here. Infographic summary of our work here. In December 2021, The CASFFA secured a sponsorship from Sutter Health Foundation to administer community health micro-grants to fitness, health, and wellness-based businesses offering low-cost/free classes that provide a public health benefit to communities in Northern and Central CA. 2022-2023: The CASFFA awarded three fitness, health, and wellness-based small businesses the CASFFA community health micro-grant. Read a summary of the grant and recipients here. The CASFFA developed and facilitated a series of educational webinars with subject matter experts for small business owners and entrepreneurs on various topics on behalf of the Sacramento Metro Chamber & MetroBusiness Center, the City of Sacramento, Sacramento County, and the Sacramento Inclusive Economic Development Collaborative (SacIEDC) & SMUD. Webinar topics included: Commercial Lease Best Practices Webinar-Part 1 & 2, Adapting to AB5 Webinar, Confidently Resolve your Top 3 Employee Issues, Growing your Business in 2023: How to attract and retain high-quality staff. 2024-2025: In 2024, The CASFFA invited Fitness, Health & Wellness Business Owners, and Professionals in California to participate in a brief anonymous survey. Your insights will help us better understand the top challenges you are facing and shape programs for future community health initiatives. Share your input here. In 2025, the CASFFA has proudly expanded our advocacy and community health initiatives to the San Diego region. Check out our recent article in Locally Well San Diego, titled “Why It’s Time to Invest in Wellness + Fitness Businesses,” to learn more about the powerful impact small wellness + fitness businesses have on San Diego’s local economy, tourism, and overall community well-being. In April 2025, CASFFA Co-Founder/Director Erica Castillo begins providing weekly advocacy briefings for fitness + wellness small businesses and professionals in CA. Sign up here to stay in the know about new/proposed California bills/laws, and regulations that will impact our industry. Stay tuned for more updates! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee6c6ea823f2d3a2ee440e3/1616964248987-8RNLNFQYCO8VNJMMNIO7/Pure+Barre+Ice+Blocks+Testimonial.jpg Our Impact https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee6c6ea823f2d3a2ee440e3/1616964295782-ZDKAHIGSBS8XE4NU1S27/Pro+City+Testimonial.jpg Our Impact https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/home daily 1.0 2025-09-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee6c6ea823f2d3a2ee440e3/1644117955932-PBBAO3L2UGKALX4FFJ8V/unsplash-image-J154nEkpzlQ.jpg Home - grants The CASFFA is dedicated to ensuring that small business owners in the fitness, health, and wellness industries have equitable access to public and private funding. We collaborate with governments and foundations to develop and secure grants, sponsorships, and financial opportunities that support the growth and success of small businesses and entrepreneurs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee6c6ea823f2d3a2ee440e3/1599696792719-TSNC4TGH3PITPI01V8OK/image-asset.jpeg Home - programs CASFFA empowers fitness + wellness pros to build successful businesses that foster healthier communities. Through personalized coaching, educational seminars, and a network of industry experts, we offer valuable support tailored to the unique challenges of small business owners. Our focus is on businesses that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being, equipping them with the tools and guidance needed to thrive https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee6c6ea823f2d3a2ee440e3/1644117732712-XV4H3ET3V7EJO629CH9I/unsplash-image-O3gOgPB4sRU.jpg Home - education The CASFFA is dedicated to equipping small businesses and professionals with the tools they need to build thriving, sustainable businesses. We collaborate with trusted experts to offer free educational resources for new and emerging small business owners, from business strategy and operations to HR, legal, and beyond. https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/sign-up daily 0.75 2025-04-19 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/support daily 0.75 2025-04-19 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/technical-assistance daily 0.75 2025-04-19 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/education daily 0.75 2025-04-19 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/resources daily 0.75 2025-04-19 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/letter-to-chhs daily 0.75 2021-02-15 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/covid19-relief-grant daily 0.75 2025-04-05 https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/community-grant daily 0.75 2025-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee6c6ea823f2d3a2ee440e3/1742339556402-9U9Q6MT86VJHTQRO2SQ4/unsplash-image-GvF7RkA-E9Q.jpg Community Health Grant - Our Community Health Grant recipients have demonstrated they have established a health, wellness, or fitness program that provides: 1) a physical, mental, or emotional benefit to their community & 2) affordable, reduced rate or FREE health, fitness, health or wellness services to their clients. Thank you to Sutter Health Foundation for being a valued sponsor! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee6c6ea823f2d3a2ee440e3/1650670484535-A20C9RRSQ4KHMW7V5391/Yoga%2BMoves%2BUs.jpg Community Health Grant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee6c6ea823f2d3a2ee440e3/1650670534234-V8CLY9J6T96IUAFHMRTJ/Lady%2BBits.jpg Community Health Grant https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee6c6ea823f2d3a2ee440e3/bfb2a1ca-ced4-441b-b012-f884565b248f/unsplash-image-QgcdtM9rA5s.jpg Community Health Grant https://www.ilovesmallfitness.org/origin-story-mission daily 0.75 2025-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ee6c6ea823f2d3a2ee440e3/1fb7fd42-b444-4bf7-a114-7f8df950c4f1/black-round-plastic-tool-on-brown-plastic-basket-4325462.jpg