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Hurley's Restaurant and Bar, Yountville

Background
The restaurant opened in November 2002 after an extensive renovation of a facility that closed due to declining profitability. The location was chosen because the owner was well know in the community, had a loyal following, and a group of private investors that would assist in cash flow requirements during the early stages. There is a 60-room hotel being built across the street that will offer opportunities for expanding group functions and services. In addition, the lower priced restaurants are disappearing, representing a great opportunity to meet the desires of those seeking quality with good service but not wanting to or being able to afford the most expensive establishments.

Store Inside, Milpitas

Company Profile: Store Inside provides indoor storage and services for valued recreational vehicles, boats and cars. As a family owned business, they care for vehicles as if they were their own, thus giving the owner more time to enjoy their toys! Store Inside ensures that a vehicle is clean and secure while in storage and ready to go when the owner wants to travel or play. Their theme ‘Relax--We’ve Got You Covered’ says it all.

CGT Systems, Inc., Concord

Company Profile: CGT Systems, Inc., is an electrical construction company that specializes in the installation of security, electrical and audio/visual systems. They service commercial, industrial and residential markets. The business started with three friends (Cravines, Gutierrez and Thompson; CGT) who met while members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union. Each friend specialized in a different area of electrical construction. After working together for several years on various commercial and industrial projects valued in the millions, they decided to combine their skills and start their own home-based business part-time in 2003.

R.T. Fisher & Associates, Oakland

Robyn Fisher, Owner of R.T. Fisher & AssociatesCompany Profile – R.T. Fisher & Associates is a minority woman-owned business that specializes in educational training for school districts and major higher education institutions. Some of the major clients served include Stanford, University of California, Oakland Unified School District and many other school districts and boards of education. Owner, Robyn Fisher opened the business in 1999.

Comfort Guard, Fremont

Ayla Taszen, President of Comfort Guard in Fremont, California

Comfort Guard was started in 2006 by Ayla Taszen, an experienced materials scientist with extensive background in specialty fabrics. The company has developed an innovative and proprietary quilted fabric product which meets the very specialized need of institutional populations in need of warm, comfortable and durable one piece clothing which can’t be used to cause bodily harm for those suffering from extreme duress.

PsiNapse Technology Ltd, Pleasanton

PsiNapse Technology is a leading provider of staffing services and was ranked #24 on the San Francisco Business Times 2007 annual list of the Largest Latino-Owned Businesses in the Bay Area. The list is comprised of companies located in the San Francisco Bay Area and is based on FY 2006 revenues.

Peri S. Pfenniger, Napa Valley

Peri specializes in commissioned “Trompe L'oeil” murals. She combines painted architectural illusions with imaginary and dreamlike vistas. “Trompe l'oeil” means “fool the eye” and her paintings entice you to enter another place and time.

TassaTag, Lafayette

During her time working in the airline industry, Brenda Hepler heard stories and read about the issues of sexual slavery and trafficking of women and children. She decided to take action; she designed and created TassaTag, a 4”x6” colorful, sturdy, hand-woven luggage tag that helps a traveler easily spot their luggage. Her goal has always been that a major portion of sales be donated and that these donations go through bona fide humanitarian contacts to ensure that the funds were properly used.

Over the Top Frozen Yogurt, American Canyon

When Ted and Ginny Ginn decided they would like to start a business in the Napa Valley, they contacted the Napa Valley College SBDC. They worked with Small Business Development Center Advisors to determine the feasibility as well as to reassure themselves that the business would be viable.

Phat Salads and Wraps, Napa

Background
In the spring of 2007, Gia Sempronio came to the NVC Small Business Development Center with an idea to own a high quality, healthy and mobile quick service take out food business. Her idea was to take off of the traditional motor catering truck known better for visiting construction and office sites with a healthy alternative to be called Phat Salads and Wraps. Early on Gia identified that fresh and healthy are critical keys to success.