It all begins with an idea.
Straw Hat Services was established in response to the challenges marginalized communities face and the lack of support available to them. The founder of the business chose the name Straw Hat Services after the protagonist of the fictional work, One Piece, because the character represents justice and freedom to them. Our team’s pursuit at Straw Hat Services is to give ourselves the freedom to help our community find the resources needed to build a just and fair environment for all.
Erwin Palma
Owner • Founder
Document Preparer • Tutor • Coach • Consultant
Being the son of immigrants, I grew up needing to be an independent problem solver for my family. From the age of 5, I was helping my parents translate conversations to help purchase products and make sales in their ice cream truck business. By the time I was 13, our family was running a trucking company in California where I learned to prepare documents for permits, bookkeeping, and accounting.
As our business grew, I was a bilingual point of contact serving as interpreter between our drivers and our clients in various capacities. Working with migrants, I also became familiar with immigration forms which has allowed me to help several individuals obtain their documentation. I learned to anticipate the needs of the people depending on me which allowed me to develop the skills to provide quality service in my professional endeavors.
At 22 I decided to pursue my aspiration to become a scientist. I held part-time jobs to support myself while being a full-time student and completed my Bachelor’s of Science in 2017. I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for several years before trying animal diagnostics, and the disappointments in leadership I found in those fields led me to start my own business.
My goal is to enable others to be successful in their life and careers by sharing all the knowledge I have acquired throughout my life. My skill set has allowed me to hold various supervisory positions throughout my career, and my experience has now helped others avoid the pitfalls I had to face in my academic and professional pursuits. I look forward to engaging with you to help you materialize the future you envision for yourself.
Rodney Lee
Business Associate
Document Preparer • Tutor • International Student Coach
At the age of 18, I embarked on a solo journey to the U.S. as an international student. I faced numerous challenges, from finding suitable schools and preparing government forms to securing affordable housing. I attended two different schools during my journey, each presenting its own unique challenges and learning opportunities. With limited low-cost help available, I relied on self-research and determination. I successfully navigated the educational system, obtained my visa, and found safe places to live.
As my journey continued, I transitioned from being an international student to an immigrant, seeking permanent residency in the U.S. Drawing from my previous experiences and the research skills I had honed, I navigated the complexities of filing for Form I-551, the Permanent Resident Card, on my own.
During my time in community college, I also offered tutoring services in math and chemistry at the college tutoring center, covering various subjects up to entry college level education. As a non-native English speaker, I understand the challenges of education and am here to provide tutoring services with the knowledge I acquired during my journey.
My experiences have equipped me with valuable insights that I’m eager to share, helping others navigate their own journeys. Whether it’s the path to U.S. immigration or overcoming educational challenges, I am committed to leveraging my experiences to assist others. I stand as proof that with perseverance, guidance, and the right resources, any path can be successfully navigated.