Eats Program Graduation

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 NgoRogelio Robles
Sharae TerrellShri Vilambil
Amy SituTineke Malonda
Indira AidarkhanovaKimberly Hernandez & Maria Cardenas
Deon WebbMichelle Garcia
Dora De AndaMiguelangel Hidalgo
**March 2024 EATS Program Graduates who completed all aspects of the program and participated in the graduation event.

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.

Looking to start or grow your business?

We at the Orange County Inland Empire SBDC, are here to help you with every aspect of your business to help it grow and become successful.
Give us a call at 1-800-616-7232 or schedule a quick, 15-minute intake appointment at ociesbdc.org/consultation to see how we can help you start, grow, and succeed.

Eats Program Graduation

Mike Daniel is the network director of the Orange County Inland Empire SBDC Network, which assists aspiring entrepreneurs and current business owners throughout Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Mike was formerly the director of the SBDC office at Long Beach City College. As business owner and entrepreneur himself, he started his career as the owner of a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory location in Manhattan Beach and went on to open a second location in Long Beach in 2001. In 2007, Mike sold the Manhattan Beach store for an above-market offer then invested in several additional locations as a minority shareholder. Mike further expanded his candy empire with venture located in Shoreline Village in Long Beach called Sugar Daddies Sweet Shoppe, based on fill-it yourself candy options.

Mike has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.