Six Months In: 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, six months later, we’re proud (and a little awed) at how much we’ve already accomplished with our members by our side.

This is only the beginning — and there’s plenty more coming, so new members won’t miss out.
Here’s what we’ve done so far:

Humboldt Made Store Integration Program

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

  • Posters featuring 21 of our members will debut in September, 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

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 will sample their products at our shared booth in a prime location.

  • 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 will also be providing hands-on mentoring for our businesses attending 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.

LOOKING AHEAD

In just six months, we’ve made huge strides: more visibility, more marketing, more collaboration, and more opportunity for Humboldt businesses. And we’re not slowing down.

As event season winds down, we’re shifting gears and beginning to plan workshops and industry roundtables in partnership with the SBDC. These will give members the chance to learn from experts, share challenges, and brainstorm solutions with others in their field — all in a supportive, collaborative setting.

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