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Success stories

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.

Mad River Brewing Company, Blue Lake

With a small group of investors, Bob Smith founded Mad River Brewing Company in 1989.  Bob was committed to both brewing fine ales with traditional brewing methods, and using “Reduce, Re-use and Recycle” programs.  Mad River Brewing Company has achieved a 98% waste reduction rate. 

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Jessicurl, Eureka

Jessica McGuinty has a head of unruly curls. After devising a recipe to tame her locks with flaxseed gel, she shared her concoction with others she met in an online community dedicated to curly-haired individuals. That was in 2002. Since then she has developed a full line of hair products for curly hair and has created a cult-following of customers.

Renata’s Creperie, Arcata

Shortly after the restaurant opened our staff counselor for Renata’s Creperie went to have lunch at her new place while on his way to another appointment. Renata had asked him to drop by to see her establishment and try a crepe. The restaurant had been open for just a few weeks when the counselor dropped in for lunch. He didn’t get a chance. A line snaked out the door and the list was forty-five minutes long. This is in a town where only two restaurants take reservations at all and usually only for dinner.