By Aleesia Benkey
The Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network (OCIE SBDC) runs the SBDC Eats Program to provide support to local food entrepreneurs and business owners in the community. The SBDC Eats program celebrated the graduation of its most recent cohort on March 1, 2024.
During the program, participants are aligned with one of our food consultants for personalized assistance and to discuss how to move forward toward launching their business. SBDC Business Consultant Greg Bell speaks to the success of the program: “All of our clients have been absolutely focused on starting their business. Along the way, they learned about coming up with their ideas, menus, ingredients, pricing, cost, and business projections. They learned how to market their business through packaging, presentation, and best practices for their business. It’s super exciting, and I can’t wait to see where their businesses take them.”
Through education and training, this targeted program provides business development support from industry experts who employ their professional experience to help startup and early-stage food entrepreneurs bring their products into the marketplace.
Graduate Ivana Radman launched her business, Pogacha, through this program and with the support of the SBDC. “Discovering the Small Business Development Center was a pivotal moment for me as their assistance came without any cost, which was incredibly valuable. The generosity of this program allowed me to leverage the expertise and time of seasoned consultants, whose contributions have been instrumental in the growth and success of my bakery,” said Ivana. “The Eats Program itself has been a game changer, simplifying aspects of the bakery business that once seemed daunting. Its structured approach has empowered me to focus more on what I love—baking and sharing my creations with the world.”
This cohort yielded 34 graduates. The next SBDC Eats program begins Tuesday, April 23 and will be presented in both English and Spanish.
SBDC Eats Graduates
| Wen Trinidad The Thoughtful Bake Shop | Young Eun Ku\ Kubu Cake |
| Anastasiia Horban Horban LLC | Marley Yagle Tea by the Sea |
| Christian Hernandez 77 Calma Ave Coffee | Marlon Hughes Shim’s BBQ |
| Shundana Harris Queens Happy Cakes LLC | Suyi Valencia Suyi’s Snack Bar |
| Ivana Radman Pogacha | Myckell Dickson Smiley’s Baking Service |
| Jason Wu & Lily Yang Auntie Mama Treats | Nadja Gaerlan Fete and Fancy Charcuterie LLC |
| Julie Madrigal Julez Sweets and More | Jessmyn & Ruben Ortiz Yours Truly Waffles |
| Keith Gray PB&J Bar | Rosario Tinoco Panditas Mexican Food & Burgers |
| Khadija Sherzad Nature’s Taste | Ryan Meier Cheat Day |
| Stella Yoo Strawberry Lemon LLC | Tamer Youssef & Amal Ibrahim Simply Food Catering |
| Moana Utai Pasifika Victuals | Sharon Enger Sharon’s In-Home Cooking |
| Julie Ngo | Rogelio Robles |
| Sharae Terrell | Shri Vilambil |
| Amy Situ | Tineke Malonda |
| Indira Aidarkhanova | Kimberly Hernandez & Maria Cardenas |
| Deon Webb | Michelle Garcia |
| Dora De Anda | Miguelangel Hidalgo |
The OCIE SBDC offers business consulting, training, and access to resources to entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties at no cost. Call 1-800-616-7232 or schedule a 15-minute intake appointment.
