New Address: Two Embarcadero Center, 8th floor, San Francisco, CA 94111     

Renata Maculans, Renata’s Creperie

Renata Maculans started her dream business in a truck. Her idea was to offer people in her town inexpensive, nutritious food that was also interesting and tasty. She went to the North Coast SBDC in 2000 for initial assistance in concept development and bookkeeping setup.

Michael and Barbara Crosbie, Crosbie Chiropractic

Michael and Barbara Crosbie founded Crosbie Chiropractic in 1983 in Southern California and moved to Humboldt County in 2001. They first set up shop in Rio Dell, then in Fortuna in 2006. Dr. Michael Crosbie dedicates his life to alleviating a myriad of conditions, from low back pain to migraine headaches. He is the only local practitioner of the Koren Specific technique.

Dawn Russell, Treats for Chickens

Treats for Chickens hatched in 2009 in West Petaluma, California. Those who knew Dawn thought she had simply lost her mind. She gave notice to her employer at a federal government agency in San Francisco to make treats for backyard pet chickens.

Mark Saavedra, Airport Barbershop

Mark Saavedra came to the small business world via happenstance. He was working at a market and learning to cut hair when his teacher suggested he take over the Truckstop Barbershop. He was unsure, but when friends and family who knew his talent and skills urged him on, his vision for himself changed. Instead of renting a hair station, he went straight to renting an established barber business.

Amy Truby, Mt. Shasta Counseling & Neurofeedback

When Amy Truby learned about neurofeedback and its potential to change people’s lives for the better, she decided it was time to open her own practice. But she barely knew anything about running a business – especially when it came to taxes and bookkeeping.

Corrina Pena, Frosted Bakery

Corrina Pena was constantly making cakes and cupcakes for family and friends. She decided to turn her baking hobby into a real business called Frosted. Her first step was to visit West Business Development Center, who advised her on the fundamentals: getting her business license, food handler’s certification, and thinking about her brand and how to get out there marketing her creations.

Rebecca Weston, Sacred Mountain Spa

Just how well is she doing? Her first year the business brought in $209,000, and at the end of 2015, the business brought in $313,000, almost a 67% increase. The next year, she increased sales by another 33%. In 2017 and 2018, despite the chaos brought on by wildfires in the area, the spa has weathered the storm. “This fall has been great, we’ve been really busy to where on weekends we have waiting lists,” she said. “So that’s a big plus.” 

Sandy Patterson, New 2 You

Inspired by a JEDI class, Sandy Patterson launched New 2 You, a community-focused thrift store in Mount Shasta, which has now grown to two locations.

Tara Cooper, ‘Ohana Organics

Tara Cooper had the know-how to make fantastic organic butters and salves, but needed help with the business end of things. North Coast SBDC gave her the tools and assistance she needed, and introduced her to a group of local organizations who helped her grow her award-winning company.