We had the good fortune of connecting with Skipp Townsend and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Skipp, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

My thought process behind starting my own business was the hardship of me not being able to pass a background check. I didn’t feel as though my resume was impressive and I wanted to combat the unfair hiring processes of those affected by the criminal justice system.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets 2nd Call apart from everyone else is our consistency, we considered that the measure of our success. We are consistent in training and our commitment to serving the community. Developing 2nd Call into where we are now was absolutely not easy. The biggest hurdle of our success was building and growing 2nd Call with low funds. At one point we had more volunteers than paid staff. There were times we would have to bill 45 days after the job was done. The red tape around funding was difficult to get around. I am ultimately most proud of the development and growth of 2nd Call from the west to east coast. If I had to leave people with something, I would want people to know that 2nd Call saves lives and is dedicated to providing service to the community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Breakfast at CJ’s Cafe on S La Brea Lunch at CW and Chris Fish and Chicken on S Western Ave
Dinner at Fixin’s in DTLA
Have to take a ride on the Metro, from Downtown LA get off on Exposition Blvd and onto the K-Line and ride until Inglewood stop. Visit So-Fi Stadium and Intuit Dome. Also visit the California African American Museum in Exposition Park.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shoutout to Darren Bo Taylor. His determination and drive to create peace in the greater Los Angeles Area, intrigued me to follow in his footsteps.

Website: https://www.2ndcall.org/gallery?lightbox=dataItem-ll1eabsh7

Instagram: 2ndcall_southla

Linkedin: Skipp Townsend

Facebook: 2nd Call

Youtube: @2ndCallSkipp

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.