Mother-Daughter Business Highlights Rise of Women-Owned Companies Across the Coachella Valley

Women-owned businesses are expanding rapidly nationwide, and that growth is being felt right here in the Coachella Valley.

NBC Palm Springs reporter Kai Beach took a closer look at what’s driving the trend — and how one new mother-daughter venture is making a local impact.

For Nellie and her mom, Melanie, that journey led to the launch of First Call Concierge, a full-service personal assistance business designed to help overwhelmed clients with everyday tasks. Their services range from grocery runs and property management to pet walking and event setup.

The idea grew out of seeing neighbors struggle to keep up with daily responsibilities and wanting to offer something more personal than an app-based service — someone clients could genuinely trust.

“It started because we saw a lot of people who just needed an extra hand,” Melanie said.

Their family-run operation reflects a broader shift happening across the country.

Alexandra Grady-Reed, a professor of public policy at University of Southern California, says more women are becoming entrepreneurs as they return to the workforce seeking flexibility and balance.

But she notes there are still barriers.

Women traditionally face less access to investment capital, with venture firms and banks historically less likely to fund female-led businesses. Despite that, many women are choosing to build their own opportunities.

For Nellie and Melanie, the business has become about more than serving clients — it’s strengthened their bond.

They say working together has deepened their relationship and reinforced their belief in women supporting women.

“To be woman-empowered and building something for the future feels powerful,” Nellie shared.

Their story mirrors what’s happening across communities nationwide: women stepping into leadership, creating jobs, and reshaping local economies — one small business at a time.

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