EL CENTRO — A new small business focused on providing essential behavioral and developmental services has opened its doors in the Imperial Valley, aiming to fill a vital community need. Leading Behavioral Change LLC, founded by Guadalupe Escobedo, officially launched in May 2025 and specializes in early intervention programs designed to help children develop crucial social and behavioral skills.
The service-based company offers a range of support, including behavioral services and early intervention programs, with a mission to create positive change and support families in the region.
Escobedo brings a decade of experience as an interventionist, driven by a strong personal passion for the work. She was first inspired to start her own business in 2021, but faced unexpected delays before proudly opening Leading Behavioral Change this year with the support of family and friends.
“Receiving early intervention is paramount to a child’s successful trajectory,” said a local child development specialist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly on specific providers. “Businesses like Ms. Escobedo’s are essential to ensuring that children in our community get the foundational support they need to thrive in school and in life.”
Leading Behavioral Change LLC operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with Saturday appointments available for increased flexibility for local families.
Building the business foundation
To ensure her business was built on a solid foundation, Escobedo sought assistance from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). She initially learned about the SBDC through a social media post during her business registration process and later joined the Women in Business network at the recommendation of a friend.
Her primary objectives were strengthening her marketing foundation and ensuring all business documentation was legally compliant. Through the SBDC, she participated in key workshops, including “How to Fund Your Business” and “IRS Compliance,” which provided her with clarity and confidence.
Escobedo emphasized that the most rewarding part of business ownership is the freedom to set her own schedule, make key decisions, build a team, and invest time in a meaningful mission.
She offered strong encouragement to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Look into the SBDC because of the many valuable resources it offers… trust the process and not give up,” and keep a clear focus on their goals.
The SBDC said it is committed to supporting local entrepreneurs like Escobedo, providing the guidance and resources necessary to navigate challenges and achieve their visions for community impact.