CHERIE BALOUSEK
Founder

For the past 15 years, Cherie Balousek has run operations for a mid-sized California-based advertising agency, with a staff of 30 and revenue in excess of $50 million. As one of the founding partners, Cherie built the corporate structure from the ground up, defining the entity structure and operations, overseeing hiring and human resources, developing financial and legal procedures, and managing all accounting and bookkeeping.

Prior to this role, Cherie held a senior management position with a Fortune 500 ad agency, managing operations and human resources for their Los Angeles office.

Cherie is a Certified QuickBooks Consultant, and holds SHRM California Employment Law Micro-Credentials.

Email: Cherie@CaSmallBusinessAdvisors.com

DEANNA WHITESTONE
Attorney at Law

Deanna Whitestone has been practicing law in California for 12 years. She began her legal career as a securities regulator at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).  Afterwards she moved into the private sector, first as an associate at Richardson and Patel LLP, and later at the Post Law Group PC, where she practiced in the areas of corporate and securities law.

Deanna most recently worked as an associate at Raines Feldman LLP, where she advised privately and publicly held companies in corporate, securities and transactional matters. Her practice included entity formation, negotiating, drafting and reviewing various commercial contracts and advising on employment matters.  A deepening interest in advocating for small business owners prompted her to launch her own practice in 2018. 

Deanna previously served on the governing board of APEX Academy, a public charter school in Hollywood, dedicated to serving at risk students in the greater Los Angeles area.  

Email: Deanna@CaSmallBusinessAdvisors.com

Education

J.D., Southwestern University School of Law 
magna cum laude

B.S., Portland State University

Admissions: State Bar of California