Grand Prize Winner Koko Kledjian and family receive the $5k boost check from STRAUSS representative Katja Schmolka.
Los Angeles, CA – March 27, 2026 – Engelbert Strauss (STRAUSS) is proud to announce the winner and runners-up of the 2nd annual STRAUSS Trades Business Booster Contest. Launched in collaboration with Los Angeles Football Club, the contest celebrates skilled trades-based small businesses across the greater Los Angeles area and supports local economic growth.
“As a family-owned company that started with one employee, we understand the challenges small businesses face as they work to grow and secure their future success,” said STRAUSS CEO Henning Strauss. “The business booster is just one way we pay it forward and lift up companies that started just like ours.”
The grand prize winner and three runners-up were honored during LAFC’s match on March 7, 2026, at BMO Stadium and enjoyed a VIP match-day experience including an exclusive meet & greet with LAFC midfielder Timothy Tillman.
The contest’s grand prize of a $5,000 cash boost was awarded to The Maven Associates during halftime. The Glendale-based general construction business was founded in 2008 by Koko Kledjian to bridge the gap between architectural design and actual construction by handling everything from planning to permitting to building. “It’s all about creating a great team of partners, suppliers, subcontractors, and clients,” said Kledjian, summing up his winning playbook.
The runners-up—WINTER, RnR Electric, and LTR Concrete—will receive one week of advertising space on the exterior digital signage of BMO Stadium to promote their businesses.
California-based small trades businesses within 75 miles of BMO Stadium were eligible to apply for this year’s contest during the month of February. STRAUSS thanks all applicants for the heart and hustle they bring to building and maintaining the Los Angeles communities they serve.
Grand Prize Winner: The Maven Associates
Owner: Koko Kledjian
Website: themavenassociates.com
Founded: 2017
Located in Glendale, The Maven Associates manage new-home and renovation construction projects with the aim of simplifying building and remodeling processes for their clients. The four-person team works collaboratively with homeowners to create their dream homes using a “street-to-roof” approach that generates long-term value for the property.
Runners-Up:
WINTER
Owner: Carlos Torres
Website: winterwomen.org
Founded: 1987
Founded by Dr. Lynn Shaw and currently run by Carlos Torres, Women In Non Traditional Employment Roles (WINTER) is a nonprofit organization that provides skill-building and career training for the construction industry to women from marginalized communities. WINTER’s mission is to ensure that these women receive the tools and support they need to build successful careers in the trade and achieve financial independence for themselves.
RnR Electric
Owner: Alberto Rios
Website: rnrelectrician.com
Founded: 2015
RnR Electric powers up Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley with their home electrical services from panel upgrades, EV charger installs, lighting, rewiring, and smart home systems to fast emergency repairs. Brothers Alberto and Cesar Rios appreciate the power of small and specialize in jobs that can be finished in a weekend or even on the same day.
LTR Contracting
Owner: Luis Torres
Website: buildwithltr.com
Founded: 2020
After a decade of mastering the trade alongside his father-in-law, Luis Torres launched the company to build a home for craftsmen who take pride in high-end concrete work for residential and commercial properties. The team at LTR focuses tailored solutions for driveways and sidewalks across Los Angeles and Ventura County.
ABOUT STRAUSS
Engelbert Strauss, or simply STRAUSS, is a global leader in workwear design and manufacturing. Founded in 1948, the family-owned company is overseen by brothers Henning and Steffen Strauss, the third generation of the Strauss family. Its iconic ostrich logo reflects the family’s name and roots — Strauss means ostrich in German. The ostrich is trusted by tradespeople, builders, farmers, and DIYers across the globe for its pioneering style of technical, multi-pocket workwear that melds performance and function with comfort and design. Now firmly established in the U.S., STRAUSS ships nationwide, operates a flagship store in Venice, California, maintains a strong presence at trade shows across the country, and is setting up a new headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. For more, visit STRAUSS.com
ABOUT LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB
The 2022 MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Football Club has represented the greater Los Angeles area in Major League Soccer since 2018. The two-time Supporters' Shield Champions (2019, 2022) and 2024 U.S. Open Cup Champions, LAFC is dedicated to building a world-class soccer club that represents the diversity of Los Angeles and is committed to delivering an unrivaled experience for fans. LAFC’s ownership group is comprised of local leaders and innovators of industry with intellectual capital, financial prowess, operations expertise, and success in the fields of entertainment, sports, technology, and media. LAFC is invested in the world’s game and Los Angeles, constructing and developing the 22,000-seat BMO Stadium and a top-flight training center on the campus of Cal State Los Angeles.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Meghan Davis – Engelbert Strauss
Email: media@strauss.com
Danny Sanchez, Vice President, Communications – Los Angeles Football Club
Email: danny.sanchez@LAFC.com