Welcome to StartUp Mendocino 2023

StartUp Mendocino is a no-cost program designed to give local entrepreneurs with great ideas the opportunity to participate in an intensive training program to spark new thinking about what is possible for their business, their community, and the economy of Mendocino County. Over the course of the program participants will be introduced to new approaches that address business and financial planning, successful branding and marketing, technology and best practices for e-commerce, time management, and how to pitch your business.

Startup faqs

A young boy dressed in business suit and tie wears a homemade jetpack and flying goggles raises his arms in the afternoon sun while running to take off into the air on an outcropping above the surf in Montana de Oro State Park, California. This young entrepreneur is ready to take his new business to new heights.

RSVP for the StartUp Mendocino 2023 Graduation!

Join West Center, graduates, and guests to celebrate the StartUp Mendocino 2023 graduating class! This no-cost event’s stars are the 11 business startups coming to our communities.

Where: Abalone Room at the Little River Inn, 7901 Highway One, Little River

When: Thursday June 8 from 4PM to 7PM

Tickets: www.tinyurl.com/StartUpGrad-2023; use StartUpVIPGuest as the code

Your free ticket includes appetizers and a drink ticket.

2023 StartUp Invitation

Meet our StartUp Mendocino 2023 Participants

Cameron Underwood-Williams

Alien Major provides worksite wellness services that enhances employees’ well-being with interval training and flexibility exercises, as well as nutrition information.

Sherry Bell

Wild Mendocino makes handcrafted organic soaps using essential oils distilled from botanicals found in Mendocino’s gardens and forests.

Michael Sheller

Ignacio Fuego Hot Sauce warms people’s souls and bellies with unique hot sauces that pair local fruits and peppers to create original taste profiles.

Buffey Bourassa

All Our Relations Consulting leads partnership efforts with tribal communities and promotes government-to-government training within local governments and non-Tribal organizations.

Scott Shaw

Mendo Junk Removal is the only local company that specializes in junk removal services from disposal of single items to whole house cleanouts.

Sydney Grange

Syd’s Tempeh Co. makes handcrafted tempeh from locally sourced grains and beans to create tasty, sustainable, and healthy staple foods such as the Quinoa Tempeh Burger.

Earl Chavez

Big Earl’s BBQ cooks up Texas-style barbecue with all the fixings for small parties to large events and plans to expand his business and hire full-time staff.

Josh King

Full Service Fire Prevention is dedicated to management and/or removal of flammable vegetative materials to mitigate the potential of wildfire on public and private property. 

Krystyna Kubran

352 Innovation, LLC offers several unique engineering solutions that support the clean transportation industry by giving businesses an opportunity to grow, create jobs, and seize new opportunities within it.

Lew Crockett

Grazing Bull Catering is a queer-owned catering company that cooks up nutritious comfort food for the local community and prides itself on equitable business practices.

Stevie Jean Carey-Prock

Paradise Garden Landscape Design offers climate forward landscape design and installation for residents on the Mendocino coast, specializing in native and drought-tolerant plants.

Instructors and Cohort Leaders

Rachel Clark, Lead Instructor, lives in Mendocino and runs Synergy Business Coaching, working with business owners to apply structure and standards to grow their business in any region and industry. She is passionately driven towards helping leaders build a business that creates the life they want to live. 

Julia Siderakis has been in the culinary industry for 39 years and a restaurateur for almost 30 of those years. She has taught at the local community college, is a business advisor for West Business Development Center, sits on community and business boards, and is a business collaborator and expansion specialist in Mendocino County. 

Lisa McCormack of Affogato Consulting is a human resources specialist who has developed HR programs for companies and is an advisor with West Business Development Center. Understanding the importance of implementing a strong foundation is key to operating a safe and legal environment. 

Joe Rodola is an SBDC Advisor and business professional with 45 years experience in business finance, including 10 years experience as a small business owner and 8 years helping small business startups.

Meet the successful participants of the 2022 program!