Look What We’ve Built Together

When Rosa and Charlene stepped into their new roles November of 2024, our goal was simple: create meaningful opportunities that help Humboldt’s small businesses thrive.

In February, we re-launched the Humboldt Made membership program. Now almost 2 years later, we have a thriving community of makers, leaders, chefs, farmers, and entrepreneurs.

Our team has now grown to include Nicky Goble, our Administrative Assistant & Olivia Gambino, our Friday Night Market Coordinator. Together, we have accomplished a lot so far!

Humboldt Made Store Integration Program

  • partnered with Eureka Natural Foods to launch our first pilot store integration.

  • Posters featuring 16 of our members have debuted in both store locations, with shelf talkers and QR codes currently in development.

  • Local photographer Amy Kumler offered photo packages to members at a great rate, with Humboldt Made subsidizing the cost even further.

  • ENF’s design team sponsored the poster design and printing.

  • This storytelling campaign will spotlight our makers and connect shoppers to the people behind the products.

Friday Night Markets

  • Record-breaking attendance at the 2025 Eureka Friday Night Market.

  • Members received 10% off booth fees.

  • Launched our Block Ambassador program: corner spots + leadership roles for members supporting their vendor neighbors.

  • The market bar proudly poured beer, wine & spirits from our member businesses.

  • Kicked off the Arcata Friday Night Market — welcoming Cal Poly students and creating 3 weeks of community magic on the Plaza.

Media & Sponsorships

  • Secured a radio partnership with Lost Coast Communications.

    • Weekly Friday morning interviews with staff, board members, and vendors.

    • Live on-air broadcasts during several markets.

  • Extended the sponsorship beyond the market season thanks to Eureka Natural Foods, giving members year-round radio exposure at no cost.

  • Began writing weekly articles in the Times Standard for the Choose Humboldt campaign, featuring many of our members

  • Partnered with 101 Things to Do: Humboldt to feature members and collaborate on media to extend reach

EXPO WEST 2026

  • Our team wrote and secured a $25,000 Headwaters Fund grant to take Humboldt Made to one of the largest natural products trade shows in the country.

  • Four member businesses sampled their products at our shared booth in a prime location in the Hot Products section.

  • Additional members will be featured in a Humboldt Made kiosk and catalog.

  • Subsidized costs (booth, materials, marketing) make this opportunity accessible to more local makers.

  • Our ED, Rosa Dixon, is a trade show queen and provided hands-on mentoring for our businesses who attended the trade show.

HUMBOLDT MADE MIXERS

  • Relaunched mixers in November 2024 after a long hiatus.

  • Hosted monthly on the 4th Wednesday — with nearly 10 mixers held to date.

  • Strong attendance across industries: food, retail, arts, service, and community leadership.

  • Members have hosted in their own spaces, highlighting their businesses while connecting with the wider community.

  • New partnerships and collaborations have already grown out of these gatherings.

  • This summer (2026) we are hosting multiple collaboration mixers with the local Chambers of Commerce to increase networking opportunities and bring the community together even more.

LOOKING AHEAD

Our organization has made huge strides: more visibility, more marketing, more collaboration, and more opportunity for Humboldt businesses. And we’re not slowing down.

With your continued involvement, we’ll keep building programs that put Humboldt’s makers, entrepreneurs, and dreamers in the spotlight — where they belong.

Join Humboldt Made