Skip to content

Home ›

Success stories

Petits Confettis, A French Immersion Pre-School, Mountain View

BACKGROUND
Helene Gsell, owner of Petits Confettis (which means “Small Confettis” because children are like little confettis in a carnival that represent life being spread everywhere with a lot of fun! ), a new French immersion pre-school based in Mountain View, has a dream of opening an early child development center with the hope of exposing children to the French language and its rich culture. Based on her own experience as a mom with 2 young children, she understands the importance of providing quality French education through a kid-friendly, play-based program model, where children learn best through creativity and curiosity, while building confidence in embracing a new language in a bilingual/multi-lingual environment.

The Yoga Studio, Campbell

BACKGROUND
The Yoga Studio owner Pik Chu Wong launched her business in September 2010 as a way of giving back to the community as a gift of health and life that was given to her through years of practicing and teaching Yoga. Mrs. Wong was diagnosed in her late teens with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a chronic disorder that results in bone erosion and joint deformity. Her doctors anticipated that she would require a wheelchair by age 30 and would never have children of her own. Mrs. Wong has been completely medication free for the last 7 years and has given birth to a daughter. Practicing and teaching Yoga were an essential part in finding a natural way to combat Rheumatoid Arthritis.

IMTech, Fremont

BACKGROUND
IMTech is an automation system integrator now located in Fremont, California. The company sells industrial motors, automation software and turnkey equipment maintenance services to large industrial customers, predominantly in the mining and manufacturing industries. Customers are primarily based in Northern California, although the company services customers throughout California and Nevada.

Dolce Bella Chocolate Café, San Jose

BACKGROUND
Chocolatier and pastry chef Audrey Vaggione discovered her passion for making desserts at an early age. By the time she was fourteen she was already baking and decorating tiered cakes. After working her way up to a teaching job at the Home Chef Cooking School, she decided to follow her passion for sweet and enrolled in the California Culinary Academy in Baking and Pastry Arts. After graduating she worked in several bay area pastry kitchens before launching Vaggione Pastries. She made custom desserts, wedding cakes, and chocolates.

Art of TV, San Jose

Growing a decorative flat screen business

BACKGROUND
After spending fourteen years in the Hi Tech field and start-ups, Bill Cardoza decided to start a business combining his passion for technology with his talent for product design.

Bill launched “Art of TV” to fill the market demand for a product that can integrate flat panel TV’s into interiors. His approach is to work with clients to design a product that not only blends seamlessly with an interior, but also becomes the centerpiece of a room’s decor.

Rok Bistro, Sunnyvale

Bringing Stone-Age Cooking to the Bay Area

BACKGROUND
Rok Bistro is a stone-age fondue and steakhouse that provides middle to upper-middle class individuals, couples, and families with a unique and fun environment to celebrate special occasions or simply enjoy a delicious meal. Steve Wright and his partner, Doug Quist, opened the restaurant in September 2008, with the goal of making stone-age cooking one of the most well-known and popular dining-out concepts in the entire Bay Area.

San Jose Kitchen Rental, San Jose

San Jose Kitchen Rental, LLC (SJKR) is a commercial kitchen facility located in San Jose’s enterprise zone that opened in March 2010.  Owner, Annette Galetti, has over 20 years of professional baking experience and knew first-hand that a large, untapped market existed for a premium commercial kitchen.  It is the first in Silicon Valley to offer three individual kitchens plus almost 1000 square feet of preparation area as well.  The kitchens and prep areas are available 24/7 and provide a unique, low-cost alternative for start-up caterers and bakers as SJKR is the only commercial kitchen in the region that does not require a monthly minimum payment.

ELEM3NTS, Silicon Valley

ELEM3NTS is a design and energy consulting firm launched in February 2010 that specializes in providing expert guidance in green and sustainable design, energy consulting, energy audits and green energy upgrades for new and existing residential projects in the Bay Area. 

42TEK, Silicon Valley

42TEK provides consulting for entrepreneurs, investors, and growing companies in electronic payments, data security, health care systems and clean technology.  Principal David Snyder uses his engineering and business management skills and experience to assist organizations to develop and introduce products and services and expand globally.

Eden Care Home, San Jose

Eden Care Home is a licensed residential care facility for the elderly and provides healthy, assisted senior living in a safe and respectful environment. The facility has been opened since April 2009 after a year-long process of locating a residential home and applying for a license with the California Department of Social Service.