Sherman and Marjorie Hauser, majority owners of Data Distributing LLC and John Kettles, CFO and Nancy Fisher, President & CEO, part owners, were very concerned for their employees and their 24 year old business. The global recession was bringing their Medical data and storage business to the breaking point. Due to so many budget freezes in the hospital industry, sales were swiftly declining. They were forced to lay off 6 employees, and their bank was canceling their line of credit. Several other banks denied their requests for a new line of credit. In desperation, the Hausers and Kettles turned to the Central Coast SBDC in November of 2008 for help.
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Christy Paul, a young school teacher, saw a need in Santa Cruz for a quality educational toys and games store for children under 10. She wanted both a store for educators and parents, and also for children to play interactively with the products and create in workshops. She contacted the Central Coast SBDC and became part of the Youth Entrepreneur Program (YEP) to plan her business and obtain financing with the help of Keith Holtaway, SBDC Certified Business Plan Advisor. Though the economic climate was a challenge to open a retail business, Paul was hopeful the business would be well received.
After 25 years in family law practice, Margaret Kinda looked forward to her retirement and enjoying her passions including gardening and textile arts. Her son, however, presented an intriguing second career option in 2008: he was ready to partner with her to start an oriental rug restoration and cleaning business. Kinda contacted the Central Coast SBDC to look at options in order to start a successful business in the City of Watsonville.
Josie Steigman wanted to develop and brand a line of gourmet products using her Sicilian family recipes, and her husband Steve had companies interested in his formulation and production expertise for tea bagging, pharmaceuticals, natural products and spices. In order to bring together their goals, they formed Finesse Mills LLC. They moved their production operations to a new location in Watsonville from Monterey in April 2006 to expand the business, serve larger clients, and own their property and equipment.
Jeff Talmadge approached the Central Coast SBDC in March of 2008 to obtain assistance in developing a plan to hire a salesperson. His construction company was not in good financial condition and sales were slow, and he knew he needed to make a change to his marketing plan to increase sales in this challenging economy.
Tanya DeCell had decided to “retire” from her busy Silicon Valley career to change her path in the new millenium and indulge her baking passion. After attending the Culinary Institute of America and the Cabrillo College Culinary Program, DeCell began a successful wholesale catering business in 2003. In late 2007, DeCell decided to consider expanding her business to include a retail location. She was driving in Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz and noticed a closed bakery being dismantled. DeCell immediately seized the opportunity and moved quickly to create her business plan and look at financing options. 
Simon Cassar first contacted the Central Coast SBDC in 2003 to review his business plan and start a home-based cleaning product business. He returned in 2005 to develop a strategic plan for his invention of a connector that makes a push broom and dust mop unbreakable and ergonomic. The product created such a demand that Cassar applied for a business loan and contacted the SBDC in 2007 to meet with Advisor Linda Johnson to focus on a marketing plan with a goal of obtaining large volume national accounts.
