With a $25,000 small-business grant and decades of family experience, Maybelline Gonzalez and her father are building a business that helps Northwest Washington families stay comfortable and energy-efficient.
For Maybelline Gonzalez and her father, Dionicio, Cozy Breeze LLP is a family dream built on decades of experience. Based in Sedro-Woolley, their insulation business serves homeowners and contractors throughout Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, and King Counties.
From installing insulation in new homes to helping families rebuild after natural disasters, Cozy Breeze offers a range of insulation services and materials, including eco-friendly, formaldehyde-free options. What makes the business special is its personal approach: educating customers so they can choose solutions that fit their homes, budgets, and needs.
“My dad spent more than 25 years in the insulation industry,” Maybelline explains. “I grew up around the business, helping with estimates and billing during my summer breaks. Eventually, we decided to start something of our own.”
A Chance Meeting That Changed Everything
Getting the business off the ground required a major investment in equipment. Renting a blown-in insulation machine was expensive, making ownership an important step toward independence.
That opportunity came unexpectedly at a local preschool event, where Maybelline and Dionicio heard a presentation by Victor Ponce of the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (CIE). Victor told them about a small-business relief grant offering awards of up to $25,000. The application deadline was the very next day.
They applied—and received the full $25,000 grant.
The funding allowed them to pay off their insulation machine, giving Cozy Breeze greater financial independence and the equipment needed to serve customers. Through hard work and dedication, they also paid off their other equipment, including their box trucks, within a year.
“Meeting Victor and working with CIE was the turning point for Cozy Breeze LLP,” Maybelline says. “They gave us the boost we needed to stop renting and truly own our future.”
Building Comfort, One Home at a Time
Today, Cozy Breeze LLP continues to grow, grounded in the family’s commitment to quality work, customer education, and treating every home as if it were their own.
Their story demonstrates how the right support at the right time can help entrepreneurs turn experience and determination into a stronger, more independent business.
