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Humboldt Heartland, Humboldt County

BACKGROUND
Humboldt Heartland is a story of ranching on California's remote North Coast. Fifth generation resident and rancher Andy Westfall has visited ranches throughout Humboldt County since 1996, photographing and conducting interviews for this book. Each of the book's five chapters: The Lore; The Landscape; The Livelihood; The Life; and The Legacy, are filled with beautiful photographs and the voices of the people - ranchers, woodsmen, young and old, men, women, and children. The book documents the past, present, and future of this unpretentious way of life through the stories, the rugged beauty of Humboldt, the hard work and the humor, and the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead for these ranching families.

Vita Cucina, Crescent City

Rural NorCal Chefs Realize Culinary Dream

BACKGROUND
Vita Cucina, owned by Michelle and Devon Morgante, is a specialty kitchen store that teaches culinary classes, caters events, and sells cookware and related products in Crescent City. The Morgantes are both chefs who gained experience in the local food industry through a sales distribution company as well as coordinating cooking demonstrations in the already established Vita Cucina.

In 2008, the original owners of Vita Cucina had decided to sell, so the Morgantes consulted with Business Advisor Barbara Burke of the North Coast SBDC to consider their options.

River Song Natural Foods, Willow Creek

River Song Natural Foods Willow Creek California store signRiver Song Natural Foods is a natural foods store in the rural area of Willow Creek, California, and is the only natural food store within 32 miles.  The store provides 100% natural foods and beverages, with 90% of those foods and beverages being organic.  Most of their products are from local producers and are of the highest quality. River Song Natural Foods strives to achieve total customer satisfaction by offering specials and welcoming customer feedback.

Taylor Made Organizing, Fortuna

“Helping people in business to be more organized and productive”

Taylor Made Organizing works with professionals in both the private and public sector assisting them in creating an office environment that supports them and the work that they do. Lisa Fryrear started Taylor Made organizing in 2007 while still working at a full time job. She completed training and obtained certifications as Professional Organizer and Productivity Trainer. Lisa provides clarity, focus, and freedom to her clients’ lives by implementing organization and productivity systems. In addition to one-on-one consulting, services include workshops and training seminars that accelerate productivity, promote skill development and improve employee collaboration.

Organic Grace, Garberville

Organic Grace is located in the rural town of Garberville and offers home products and building supplies that are healthier for humans and gentler on the earth. The mission is two-fold; first to improve the health of their customers by offering non-toxic products as an alternative to the growing list of mainstream merchandise that contain cancer-causing and other toxic components, and secondly, to educate consumers and promote products that do not poison the earth. In-store sales account for about half of sales, with Internet sales making up the other half.

Rain All Day Books, Fortuna

Monica Hubbard had been working at a local bookstore in Humboldt County.  She had been gaining more responsibility at the book store, when she realized, “I could do this on my own.  I like this life of books and people.”  In September of 2006, Monica went into business for herself and opened up a used book store called Rain All Day Books. 

Sandy Westfall, Ferndale

Sandy Westfall, who was reluctantly closing her business of 30 years, found herself at the Employment Development Department.  She was there with the sole concern of taking care of her now former employees.  Sandy was unsure of her future and where she might be headed.  While at the center, she found that she too could use their assistance.  She saw that they had a professional organizer certification and decided to go for it.  However, once she received her certification, she didn’t know where to go from there.  The Employment Development Department then referred Sandy to the North Coast Small Business Development Center.

Advanced Displays and Signs, Eureka

Ted Sheets has been making signs since 1984. In 2006 he began to look at the possibility of moving out of his garage, which was full to the rafters. Ted wanted to expand his sign business and started looking at sign franchise opportunities. But he didn’t know how to tell if it was a good deal or not. How much cash would he need, and what was the monthly break even?

The Forks Lounge, Willow Creek

When the opportunity first came up in 2006 to buy The Forks Lounge in Willow Creek, in Northern California, Kim Walker and Steve Martinez were very excited. When they started to look for financing, however, they were less confident in their abilities to complete a business plan that lenders would find acceptable. Even though they had both worked in business for a number of years, the commercial loan process was something entirely new.

Constance Rose Textile Designs, Eureka

Like most artists, Connie Rose has been creating works of art all her life.  However, she never quite considered herself an “artist”.  Like anyone else, she worked a typical 9-5 office job and art was just a hobby on the side.  After a while she began selling her bead work and experimenting with textiles.  Even after Connie had begun selling her art work, she still didn’t label herself as an artist.  However, after she participated in the North Coast SBDC Artists Flight program that all changed.