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.

Meet our StartUp Mendocino 2023 Graduates

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.

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.
