Skip to content

Home / Success stories

Success stories

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version

Vogue Salon & Spa, Vacaville

COMPANY PROFILE: Vogue Salon and Spa is an upscale salon and spa located in Vacaville California specializing in hair styling, nail and skin care, massage therapy and permanent cosmetics. Other unique services include hair and eyelash extensions and tanning. The spa has a Mediterranean style ambiance. A mixture of dark green and terra cotta wall coverings, chocolate wrought iron mirrors and cherry wood home-type furnishings offer a relaxing, warm and somewhat masculine atmosphere. Danielle Gish was first introduced to the beauty industry, as a little girl, while her mother worked as a cosmetologist. Her entire work history--over 16 years—has been centered on cosmetology. Gish first began her career, as a stylist, at Hair Horizons in Vacaville. She later expanded her talents to include permanent cosmetics.

Vintage Caffe, Fairfield

Vintage Caffe is a full service restaurant owned by Gigi and Ray Canepa. The caffe is located in the Suisun Valley in picturesque Mankas Corner, a delightful retail corner surrounded by vineyards and country roads yet only a couple of miles from Fairfield, California. The restaurant has an Italian menu and casual décor. Gigi was a former food buyer and chef for the upscale retail grocer Andronico’s and has brought her passion for quality food and wine to the restaurant which she and Ray purchased. In the fall of 2007, they received the opportunity to expand the business and open a deli and retail outlet that will allow them to expand their catering business while creating local replacement meal and deli clientele. Ray and Gigi approached the City of Fairfield for a bridge loan to complete the funding needed for the project and at the suggestion of the City, began to work with business advisors from the Solano Small business Development Center.

Music Master Publishing, Vallejo

The idea for the Guitar Wheel™ began over 13 years ago as Dennis Cheatham tried to grasp the mystery of music theory.  During this learning process, he envisioned a “tool” that would serve as a reference library of music theory and act as a teaching aid, chord finder, transposing dial, and composing tool all in one.  It would have one side for guitar and the other side for piano.  After many years of balancing family life, his job, and product development, he completed work on his teaching aid; the Guitar Wheel™ was born!

DHurn Enterprises, Suisun

Deanna Hurn’s life is a story of trial and triumph which underlines a compelling message of hope despite obstacles.  Her goal was to become an Actuary but an unplanned pregnancy forced her to drop out of school while pursuing a degree in mathematics at Sacramento City College.  Determined not to become another statistic, Deanna returned to school, developed a plan of self-discipline to balance school and family, and graduated from SCC in 2004.  Having previously been rejected from UC Santa Barbara, Deanna reapplied and went on to become the only African American student at the university to receive a degree in Actuarial Science in 2006.  During this time, she realized that she had a deep understanding of math, the ability to tutor others, and empower others in making life changes.

Anacortes Chocolate Factory, Vacaville

COMPANY PROFILE: Mr. Yam approached Solano College SBDC in April 2007 for assistance with writing his business plan to buy an existing business. He previously owned and operated a donut shop for 10 years which he had recently sold. Mr. Yam planned to relocate is family to Anacortes, Washington and buy an existing 20-year-old candy shop. He planned on using the same business model, employees, etc. with the exception of also selling donuts and extending hours to 24/7. He had spoken with the current owner and developed financial projections. Current owners were selling with plans to relocate elsewhere.

680 Graphic Design & Printing, Benicia

Background: When Karla Santiago decided to develop a graphic design and printing business in Benicia, she realized the need to learn all she could about self-employment and business development. She enrolled in the NxLeveL Entrepreneurial Training program, developed her draft business plan, and 680 Graphic Design & Printing was born.

Alternative Building Concepts, Sebastopol

Founded in 1985, Alternative Building Concepts (ABC) offers residential and light-commercial green building contracting and consultation services. ABC specializes in utilizing highly energy efficient structural insulated panels (SIPS) for residential and commercial applications. Alternative Building Concept’s primary goal is to educate consumers on the numerous energy efficient and environmentally-friendly building options available in today’s market so they can make informed decisions as to what would work best for their project.

Electronic Solutions, Cloverdale

Jim and Susan purchased this Radio Shack store in September of 2004. At that point the store was practically empty (all that remained was $20,000 in inventory in the 1,000 sq. ft. store).

Inspiration Stones, San Rafael

Company Profile:
Inspiration Stones, Inc.™ started business in 1998 and first brought to market the product known as Pocket Stones™, a successful inspirational item created and produced by Theodora Scott, owner and award-winning designer. Since their creation, more than a million Pocket Stones have been sold. Initially, factories in Larkspur and Petaluma, CA created the first engraved inspirational words on pocket-sized semi-precious stones which were sold primarily to gift stores. Today, Pocket Stones™ are manufactured in both the USA and in Asia.

Delice de la Vallee, Sonoma

Sheana Davis wears many hats. Working as a chef and caterer under her name, she also founded the Epicurean Connection in 1992, dedicated to culinary education and all things epicurean, especially fermented foods – cheese, wine, and beer.