Calling All Dreamers

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Meet the 2023-2024 Calling All Dreamers cohort.

Baker For Hire
Baker for Hire will be a new retail store specializing in teaching hands-on courses with 12 mini kitchen spaces for students that will focus on how to decorate cakes, cookies, and cupcakes. They will also offer baking courses to the public and will carry a variety of baking supplies for purchase.
Capital Tuk Tuk
Capital Tuk-Tuk provides tours that feature the best parts of Sacramento. There are several tours to choose from including the Sacramento City Tour, the “Murals of Sacramento” tour, beer and wine tours, and other custom touring options lead by a knowledgeable tour guide.
Ecojoyous
Ecojoyous offers a variety of one-of-a-kind upcycled and handmade artisan goods, locally sourced with primarily natural and organic ingredients. Their goal is to empower, inspire, and help change the way we consume home and body products.
Gondo Fusion
Gondo Fusion is a Cuban/Mexican fusion food truck that has a committed fan base throughout Sacramento. They offer a unique spin on a variety of delicious Latin food such as burritos, tacos, sandwiches, and bowls.
Naan Tikka
Naan Tikka is local food company that is on a mission to create a culinary haven where the vibrant flavors of Peshawar, Pakistan come alive. They are obsessed with sourcing the finest ingredients and upholding traditional recipes for an authentic taste.
Nouvelle Healing
Nouvelle Healing represents a new paradigm in the realm of healing. It encompasses holistic approaches that offer solace and support to those grappling with anxiety and depression including Reiki sessions, guided meditations, steams, and sound baths.
Planted Foods
Planted Foods focuses on nutrient-dense foods with healing properties with a twist by making them familiar and tasty. They plan to open a cafe that boasts unique, fresh, and wellness-focused foods.
The Dreamland Cinema
The Dreamland Cinema is currently a 23-seat ‘microcinema’ in midtown focused on bringing the best in independent, arthouse, international, and cult films to Sacramento. Their plan is to move The Dreamland Cinema into a larger space downtown with a more robust food and beverage program offering.

 

 


About our Calling All Dreamers program:

Produced by the Downtown Sacramento Foundation, Calling All Dreamers is a business incubator boot-camp that brings in industry professionals to mentor entrepreneurs for the chance to open a downtown storefront and earn a coveted business start-up package.

Previous participants of this incubator program — including Dipped N Color Splat Studio, Nash & Proper, Neo Escape Rooms, and The Allspicery — have quickly become signature small businesses downtown, inspiring a new class of dreamers to pursue their big idea year after year.


Upcoming program dates

    • September – December 2023 — The selected cohort takes workshops and revises their business plans as they learn.
    • December 2023 — Finalists are selected based on their revised business plans.
    • January 2024 — Finalists review their business plans with their mentors and prepare to pitch the business to the selection committee.
    • February 2024 — Final business plans are presented and the most open-ready business is selected to receive the prize package.

Be a part of the dream

The valuable prize package is made possible due to the generous support of sponsors who continue to be champions for the economic growth of the downtown core.

Partnership opportunities are still available for local businesses able to donate much-needed accounting and marketing support. Businesses interested in helping to make a difference by donating services should contact Andrew LaFrance, Business Development Manager, at [email protected] or 916-442-8575.


2022-2023 Calling All Dreamers Cohort

Dipped N Color Splat Studio, 2022–2023 Calling All Dreamers winner, is now open!

“From coming across a Calling All Dreamers flyer and deciding to take a chance on an idea I had [for my business] to now being in this moment is tremendous… I couldn’t have done it without the huge support of those at the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, SCORE, One Million Cups, my family, friends, and local businesses I met along the way!”Dipped N Color Splat Studio helps families connect and create positive experiences through art with custom pre-sketched canvases, paint kits, and private paint parties. Monet’s mission is to inspire every parent and child to celebrate individuality and diversity so that they are empowered to be their most creative and true selves. You can learn more about Dipped N Color here.

Flora & Fauna opening Winter 2023

Flora & Fauna Provisions will be opening soon at 980 9th Street to serve California-inspired meals made with farm-fresh ingredients. Until then, you can find them at various markets throughout Sacramento. Check Instagram at @florafaunaprovisions for updated locations and events throughout the week.

Burnside Coffee Bar opening Spring 2024

Burnside Coffee Bar, where you can sip unique coffees made with the finest ingredients, will be opening at 902 K Street in late 2023. Until then, you can find them operating their coffee cart in front of 902 K Street or else at various locations around downtown. Check Instagram at @dontdrinkburnside for updated locations throughout the week.

Previous Open Participants

Since 2013, Calling All Dreamers has helped business owners open storefronts downtown and across Sacramento. The program provides participants with a collaborative network of entrepreneurs and mentors, so creative business concepts can thrive as physical …

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