Investing in Lake County’s Small Businesses Through Education and Funding

Soper Reese Theatre is the perfect setting for a one-of-a-kind small business competition that culminated in a win-win for 7 businesses selected from 41 applicants. The competition aims to improve Lake County’s economic climate; the conduit is the Taste Makers Small Business Competition. This high-stakes contest resulted in a hard-earned win for the competitors who took to the stage to make their best pitch to a panel of judges. The prize – a cash infusion to the businesses ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.

Produced by the nonprofit, 1Team 1Dream, the competition is a journey of learning that started with one application; a workshop, screening competition, and pitch lab; and an immersion experience with two successful restauranteurs, Weston Seifert of the Saw Shop Public House and Alex and Eden Nyirendah of the Lucerne Euro Market and Bistro.

Derick Fiske of Perry’s Deli in Middletown took the top prize, $20,000, which he will use to finalize his big business idea – adding capacity for outdoor, family-oriented events to better serve locals and visitors.

Kyle Karlsson of Terped Out Kitchen and Christine Strunk of The Henny Penny Catering Company each took home $10,000; Malia-Han and Makenna Ferdolage of Malia’s Island Soul and Jessica DaCosta of Grounded Roots Coffee House took home $7,000; and Margarie Saucedo and Joshua Hourtal of Mix Lakeport and Carlos Ortiz and Mauricio Lara of Trejos Diner took home $5,000. All businesses plan to improve and expand their operations to serve more customers – locals and visitors.

Receiving an additional $1,000, Kyle Karlsson of Terped Out Kitchen won the “Fan Favorite,” a Founders Award. The award is decided through an online contest that challenges competitors to market themselves through social media and networking.

Other finalists received $500 Founders Awards, including Tina Scott of Cardinal Cravings; Jessica Elliott and Jerry Gully of Juniors Grill; Julia and Lucas Castarollo of Delicias Latinas; and Armando and Ruby Velazquez of Maki’s and Comida China Fusion Mex. These awards recognize those who were selected to participate in the workshop and screening competition but not chosen to advance to the final competition.

Ted Hannig, a long-time sponsor of the event, who built his first sailboat on Clear Lake at 11 years of age, delivered this message: “The program rewards people with the right work ethic, the desire to succeed and the courage to take on the task. This provides a remarkable return to Lake County on a very modest sponsor investment.”

Formed in response to a protracted recession and catastrophic fires, the 2026 Taste Makers Competition is one of 6 different competitions produced since Founders Maryann Schmid and Olga Martin Steele decided to act, creating a “Shark Tank”- inspired program to benefit the local economy by improving a few small businesses at a time. To date, $520,000 has been raised and awarded to 38 local businesses that made it to the finals; 95 businesses have been supported through team and founder’s awards, training, marketing, and a dynamic social media campaign.

“There’s no program like this anywhere that I know of, and I’m proud to represent the County of Lake – not just as a sponsor, but as a dedicated supporter of entrepreneurial innovation, resilience and hope,” said Brad Rasmussen, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors.

Lakeport and Clearlake City Managers Kevin Ingram and Alan Flora have supported the program since its inception to help build thriving, sustainable businesses in the community. Both praised the event’s ingenuity and encouraged sponsors, most of whom were in the audience, to continue their support.

“It is well established that small businesses are the backbone and future of rural economies,” said businesswoman and Founder Maryann Schmid. “We are grateful to the many sponsors that support our efforts, and I invite everyone to visit our website, www.1team1dream.net, to learn more about 1Team 1Dream and see the highlights of the competition.”

For more information, call or text Olga Martin Steele at 916-849-8170.