Small Business Success Stories
CalOSBA’s network of small business support centers support entrepreneurs across California to start, manage, and grow their businesses by guiding owners to training and grant opportunities, helping them identify and obtain financing, and pointing them to new market opportunities. Check out some of the owners who have taken advantage of these no-cost/low-cost services to deliver positive impact for their businesses. Ready to follow their lead? Find a small business support center near you.
Givo Ice Cream
Giselle Palomo Garcia demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit early by founding three ice cream businesses in Michoacán, Mexico. When Giselle came to Orange County, she wanted to bring her business acumen with her, but she wasn’t sure how to start in a new country…
Tapa The World
Marcos Murrilo came here from Mexico in 1996. His first job in the U.S. was working at Tapa the World restaurant in Sacramento, where he was the executive chef for 11 years, creating several of the specialty dishes that are still on the menu today. When the previous owner…
InsureCal Insurance Agency
InsureCal Insurance Agency, based in Turlock, California, was founded in 2015 by Colbie McRae. With a successful background as a strong sales producer by the age of 24, Colbie saw a unique opportunity to leverage the message of being ‘locally owned and operated…
Safety by George, LLC
There are many dangers in the common workplace and safety is a primary concern for employers and employees alike. The Department of Industrial Relations oversees the California Occupational Safety and Health program…
Integrated Perspectives Consulting
April Durrant, a 3rd generation veteran having served on active duty in the medical field, worked an assignment with the Defense Intelligence Agency and was deployed after 9/11. After a long career in the military including assignments throughout the world, April wanted to find…
Jersey Scoops
Foggy Bottoms Boys Farm is a 6th generation organic dairy farm located in the Eel River Valley on the Northern Coast of Humboldt County. Thomas and Cody Nicholson Stratton, farmers and owners, believe strongly in sourcing local and delivering fresh nutritionally packed foods…
Schat’s Bakery & Cafe
The Schat’s family has been baking for over 100 years! Zach, owner of Schat’s Bakery and Café in Ukiah, CA, is the son of a Holland born Baker where this family tradition started way back in 1893. Zach’s father immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island and created a…
Serotonin Creative Consultancy
Embarking on the entrepreneurial path is an exhilarating journey filled with boundless dreams and aspirations. However, beneath the surface of this excitement lie the formidable challenges that accompany the process of starting…
Shoppe Serendipity
Kristina Taylor, Karuk Tribe Member and Owner of Shoppe Serendipity, runs a delightful gallery gift shop in the historic downtown of the far northeast city of Yreka. Yreka, the county seat of Siskiyou County, is a beautiful mountainous town located off the I-5 near the Oregon border…
Gritz N Wafflez
After working in restaurants for over 20 years and relocating to Los Angeles from Dallas, Gritz N Waffles owner Jurni Rayne decided it was time to open her own place. But there were challenges in setting the business up for success including navigating Los Angeles County…
Mt. Shasta Counseling & Neurofeedback
Mt. Shasta Counseling & Neurofeedback is a welcoming space located in the forested town of Mt. Shasta. Over the past 15 years, small business owner Amy Truby LMFT, has provided counseling services to children, families…
Beber Almondmilk
Beber was born in 2012, when founder, Arielle Danan, took her yearlong experience from organic farming abroad and applied it to almonds in her hometown of Northern California. Over the past ten years, Beber has grown from a humble start at the local Chico…
La Rocco’s Pizzeria
When Paul LaRocco and his family moved La Rocco Pizzeria to Los Angeles from Brooklyn, New York, they aimed to transport diners to 1950’s Little Italy with its thin-crust Neapolitan perfected over the years. Each pie was made on the spot, and if you stopped by, you…
Andrea’s Healthy Kitchen
Tatiana Pacheco had been laid off and decided to take control of her financial future. She saw a need for healthier food options in her local community and decided to make a difference. Initially seeded with a loan from family, Tatiana…
Whiz Kids
In the picturesque town of San Luis Obispo, California, a small but mighty business named Whiz Kids has become the talk of the town. Founded and led by Lesa Smith, this women-owned business has not only captured the hearts of locals but has also conquered the challenges…
Hella Nuts
Kami and Mieko Scott founders of Hella Nuts started their plant-based journey in 2018. Their goal was to come up with vegan options that had no chemicals, fillers, or soy. Nothing but all natural ingredients. As a black-owned and women-owned business, Hella Nuts aims to…
Tomfoolery
Mary Hartley and Celeste Cramer bought the store Tomfoolery in 2023, which has been women-owned for 40yrs, since first opening its doors in 1983. They plan to bring in new lines and a fresh look to this long-term Chico business. “You can find all sorts of gifts and gadgets…
Coastside Baking Co.
Salomon moved to Halfmoon Bay from Santiago Apóstol Oaxaca, Mexico, in 2005. He came to Half Moon Bay looking for a better future for himself and his family and found his first job as a farmworker. Being new to the country, Salomon was open to working in…
Conchitas Bakery
Annie DeGrazia, a culinary entrepreneur and mastermind behind the popular Conchitas Truck, has taken her passion for Mexican cuisine to new heights with the opening of Conchitas Bakery. DeGrazia’s journey from a food truck owner to a successful bakery…
Pacific Ink, Inc.
Pacific Ink, Inc. launched their small business in 2000. Fast forward twenty-three years to now – they are the winners of the 2023 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) San Diego District Women-Owned Small Business of the Year award…
Correa Logistics
Correa Logistics is a small business based out of Santa Rosa, California. They develop and market innovative medical products and services to multiple industry sectors around the world. Their mission is to provide…
GK Promos
When Gerardo Zaragoza, Chief Executive Officer, and Kathy Gutierrez, Co-President, opened GK Promos, their main challenges were needing more income to sustain themselves and the business, a lack of social media presence…
Natural Behavioral Solutions
Natural Behavioral Solutions is an Applied Behavioral Analytical (ABA) company which uses naturalistic approaches to learning in order to teach children and adults ages 1 through 22 years-old with disabilities or behavioral concerns…
Precision Construction Services
Small businesses are the backbone of the economy and are vital to the vibrancy of the Central Valley and Central Coast of California. These small businesses not only create jobs and provide essential services but also have a significant impact on…
Sculpt
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are essential resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners in California. These centers provide a wide range of services, including one-on-one consulting, workshops and training programs, access to funding…
Triassic Vinyards
One of the most important reasons to work with a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is the ability to access and use their resources, networks, and expertise. SBDCs offer their members access to funding, market analysis, business consultation, and technical…
Café Metzli
Lupita Sanchez was born and raised in Mexico and has a passion for specialty coffee. She started her social impact Mexican coffee import and distribution business in 2021 in Los Angeles. She reached out to CalOSBA looking for small business guidance and assistance…
From the Land
From the Land is a sustainable ag tech innovation company in Yucaipa, California in the Inland Empire. The company was established by Dr. Gina Oliver and Richard Hutchison in late 2019. Dr. Gina Oliver is a first-generation college graduate…
Sanctum Tequila
Father Lorenzo Lebrija, founder of Sanctum Tequila, received a $10,000 Dream Fund grant from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) to grow the nonprofit organization. Sanctum Tequila was born from Father Lebrija’s volunteer…
Buzzbox
Rod Vandenbos had an idea for a cocktail line, so he took his idea to the Orange County/Inland Empire SBDC Network for assistance to get the idea off the ground. From this idea, buzzbox was born. Rod focused on sustainable business practices…
SOL Learning Institute
CalOSBA had an opportunity to catch up with Travis Duckworth, the director of SOL Learning Institute, which has a year-round, skill-based enrichment program designed to introduce young adults to the three pillars of sustainable…
Breakers Breakfast, Lunch & Brunch
Robby Bancroft and his father Steve, Co-Owners of Breakers Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch, received small business guidance from the Northern California SBDC Network to help them rebound after they opened their business in 2014 but had to close their doors for nine…
North Pacific Adventure
For an exciting water activity, consider North Pacific Adventure, which offers sea cave kayaking, kayak fishing, whale watching, and surfing tours in Mendocino County. Billy Arana owner of North Pacific Adventure received small business guidance from the to the…
Tres Fuegos Cocina
Check out this success story from the San Diego & Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) featuring Diana Tapiz of Tres Fuegos Cocina, a Mexican and Japanese fusion restaurant. Diana successfully completed the California…
Art de Luz
Luz Maria Clayton reached out to the International Rescue Committee Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for guidance and technical assistance to develop her business. Together, with the SBDC’s expertise and Luz’s drive to build this business from…
Wow Lash and Brow Studio
Anyone who has ever decided to open their own small business understands that the path to making that dream a reality can sometimes be a little fuzzy, and even downright challenging. At CalOSBA, it is our mission to ensure that entrepreneurs…
Omega Party Zone
Many small businesses looking to launch their products or services to communities they want to serve often encounter difficulties during that delicate time. Understanding the myriad of challenges that face any budding entrepreneur…
Carmel Honey Company
Jake Reisdorf, Founder/Owner/Beekeeper, is turning his passion for honey into a sweet success! His business, Carmel Honey Company, was born out of a “real world” 5th grade homework project when he created a mock website about bees…
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Sacramento, CA 95814
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