Clearlake
Nic and Mayra Lam
1st Prize Winner ($15,000)
Lam Printing, a custom apparel shop, now operates from its new, larger store and production facility in Kelseyville. The shop offers silk screen, embroidery, high-quality prints, competitive pricing, and fast turnaround.
Clear Lake Boat Rental
Clearlake
Lisa Wilson
2nd Prize Winner ($5,000)
Clear Lake Boat Rental offers easy, reliable watercraft rentals right in Clearlake, making lake recreation accessible for everyone.
Susie Q’s Donuts & Espresso
Lakeport
David Brown
3rd Prize Winner ($3,000)
Susie Q’s Donuts & Espresso serves donuts baked fresh daily, coffee, espresso, sandwiches, and breakfast. They also deliver goods across Lake County.
Wild Bee Creations
Cobb
Stacie Judson
4th Prize Winner ($1,500)
The magic of Wild Bee Creations lies in their commitment to toxin-free ingredients, crafting products that feel as pure as they are effective. They’ve expanded into Napa Valley, showcasing their line in high-end wineries and earning a refined new audience.
The Ripe Choice Farm and Catering
Lakeport
Mark and Tammy Lipps
Best Lakeport Business ($2,500)
Ripe Choice Farm & Catering is owned and managed by purposely driven individuals, Mark and Chef Tammy Lipps.
2021 Winners
Reese Ranch Retreat
Witter Springs
Catherine Ann Reese
1st Prize Winner ($20,000)
Under the new owner, Shine, Reese Ranch has been lovingly reimagined as Soul Whispering Ranch Retreat. A serene getaway for individuals and families seeking a unique country experience. The ranch continues to expand its menagerie of animals and plans a special space for rest and meditation across its vast grounds.
Send Rover On Over
Lakeport
Valerie Ann Stallings
2nd Prize Winner ($12,000)
Fan Favorite Award ($1,000)
Valerie is training the next generation of dog groomers, building local talent where it’s needed most. Her work keeps Lake County pet owners from traveling out of town, making quality grooming more accessible at home.
Party Ideas
Clearlake
Anahi Maria Silva
3rd Prize Winner ($8,000)
Anahi has been the creative force behind 1Team 1Dream’s gala stage décor since 2022, and she’s expanded her offerings to meet bigger, bolder visions. With her children working alongside her, she’s establishing a dedicated space to bring family-powered artistry to more celebrations.
Bottlerock Candle Studio
Cobb
Jennifer Gayda
4th Prize Winner ($6,000)
Jennifer has grown into a larger showroom and studio on Main Street in Kelseyville, creating an inspiring hub for clients. Through hands-on workshops, she’s also nurturing future entrepreneurs and turning creativity into confidence.
Red Feather Leather
Lakeport
Brianna Thomas
Founder’s Award ($1,000)
Red Feather Leather is a leather shop run by Brianna. She’s always been fascinated by art and grew tired of the plain old paper canvas.
2022 Winners
Peace & Plenty Farm
Kelseyville
Melinda Robin Price
1st Prize Winner – Established Business ($25,000)
Melinda’s rare, locally cultivated saffron has captured national attention, allowing her to supply customers across the country. Her distinctive harvest has become a standout favorite, celebrated for quality and flavor.
Angela’s Anytime Rides
Lakeport
Angela Nicole Hughes
2nd Prize Winner – Established Business ($20,000)
In a town without Uber, Angela has built a neighborhood ride service that keeps people connected and on time. She’s turning everyday trips to work, clinics, and the market into a reliable lifeline powered by local care.
Grillagan’s Island
Lucerne
Nicole Gentry
3rd Prize Winner – Established Business ($15,000)
Fan Favorite Award ($1,000)
Nicole’s grilled-cheese specialty and signature tomato offerings have earned her a devoted following and viral local fame. Resilient and rooted, she’s returned to Lucerne—where it all began. And her food-loving fans happily follow.
Land Escape
Clearlake
Curtis Cook
5th Prize Winner – Established Business ($5,000)
Curtis consistently ranks as the top choice for landscaping, earning a reputation for reliability that outshines longer-tenured competitors. In just a few years, he’s become the most-rated and most-trusted name in the county.
Rock N’ Rolled Ice-Cream
Hidden Valley Lake
Baylee Ann Grove
1st Prize Winner – Start-Up Business ($10,000)
Baylee franchised her ice cream business model, giving aspiring owners a sweet path to success. With clear systems, training, and a proven brand, she’s scaling joy one cone at a time.
The Bee’s Knees
Clearlake
Karen Kress
2nd Prize Winner – Start-Up Business ($5,000)
Karen specializes in depilatory and other cosmetic treatments. She plans to one day open a Cosmetology School.
Stitch Envy
Upper Lake
Robin Marsolek
3rd Prize Winner – Start-Up Business ($3,000)
Robin’s artistry captivates customers, especially brides-to-be from across counties such as Mendocino, Sacramento, Sonoma, and SF Bay Area. Her reputation for elegance and care has made her one of the region’s most sought-after bridal professionals.
Danae’s Desserts
Hidden Valley Lake
Danae Rose Anthony
Founder’s Award ($2,000)
2023 Winners
Tyrrell Martial Arts
Middletown
Daniel Alan Tyrrell
1st Prize Winner – Established Business ($30,000)
Fan Favorite Award ($1,000)
Daniel has invested in new equipment to elevate performance and client results. He complements that commitment with continuous upskilling, pursuing additional training for himself and his team of trainers.
Jitter Bean Coffee Lakeport
Lakeport
Maureen Louise Brasier
2nd Prize Winner – Established Business ($24,000)
The prize money enabled her to grow her second location into a highly successful business and increase her team of baristas.
Eric’s Oil Change and Repairs
Nice
Eric and Krystal Purkhiser
3rd Prize Winner – Established Business ($18,000)
Thanks to their prize money, Eric’s Oil Change shop now keeps drivers rolling farther into a full service tire center. By adding balancing, rotation, and fresh inventory of tires, they have turned convenience into a complete car care under one trusted roof.
La Chilanguita Mexican Restaurant
Clearlake
Denisse Herrera
4th Prize Winner – Established Business ($12,000)
The prize helped Denisse refine her business plan and strengthen execution, especially for outside catering. Today, her team brings polished service to weddings, corporate functions, and special events with consistency and flair.
Saw Shop Public House
Kelseyville
Weston Joshua Seifert
5th Prize Winner – Established Business ($6,000)
Reinforced by positive feedback from the competition, the restaurant’s value to Lake County’s growth was evident. He used the momentum to transform The Backyard space into a lively community hub, where neighbors gather under the lights and stars.
BiZi Bees Preschool
Kelseyville
Claire and Michael Zimmerman
1st Prize Winner – Start-Up Business ($12,000)
Claire and Michael have grown BiZi Bees Preschool into a family-friendly campus, adding raised planter beds and kid-safe play equipment to extend the learning beyond the studio. They also launched their second business, called BiZi Dance Studio, into a vibrant space for both movement and mindfulness.
2024 Winners
Glowing Smiles Dental Hygiene Practice
Lakeport
Adriana Marquez
1st Prize Winner – Established Business ($40,000)
Adriana equipped her practice with a portable X-ray, bringing crucial diagnostics directly to immobile patients, including children and those in nursing care, ensuring faster service and a higher standard of care.
Kingdom Games
Lakeport
Brandon LaRoy Costner
2nd Prize Winner – Established Business ($20,000)
Brandon used the prize money to expand his flagship location in Lakeport. The enhanced space includes a dedicated podcast studio, allowing him to expand both his product offerings and entertainment content.
Konocti Bicycles
Lakeport
Hannah Lee and Matthew Sesser
2nd Prize Winner – Established Business ($20,000)
Without their prize money they wouldn’t have invested in six pedal-assist e-bikes for rentals and demos, enhancing their offerings at the Six Sigma Winery trail.
Elizabeth Sparkling Services
Lake County
Elizabeth Arias
3rd Prize Winner – Established Business ($15,000)
She used her winnings to purchase a van for supplies and team transport, along with investing in uniforms and logos to enhance her business branding.
Mountain High Coffee and Books
Lake County
Allison Berlogar and Greg Rodgers
3rd Prize Winner – Established Business ($15,000)
They’ve upgraded the café experience with a beautifully remodeled bar counter, brand-new kitchen equipments, and stylish outdoor furniture.
Clearlake Powersport Rentals
Clearlake
Seth Matthew Dandridge and Kyle Aarreberg
1st Prize Winner – Start-Up Business ($15,000)
They proudly invested their prize winnings and a small business loan to bring a stunning new Harrison Cruise 220 pontoon boat to their rental fleet – giving lake visitors an even more luxurious way to enjoy the water.
D&N Smashburgerz
Clearlake
Douglas Durden and Nick Parsons
2nd Prize Winner – Start-Up Business ($10,000)
With the addition of a new truck and a food trailer, they’re now serving up their signature smashburgers at exciting new locations throughout Lake County.
Nana Arrangements
Clearlake
Anahi Edna Robles-Gonzalez
2nd Prize Winner – Start-Up Business ($10,000)
Fan Favorite Award ($1,000)
Anahi leveled up her floral brand by adding event rentals from a water slide to a mechanical bull, turning celebrations into full-on experiences. It’s a bold expansion that lets clients book the décor and the fun-in-one joyful stop.
