Hustle & Heart - A Small Business Spotlight

Featuring 10 local small businesses on June 26th

Author

Rebecca Navarro
June 03, 2025

I’m a small business owner too—I know the hustle, the heart, and the hustle after the hustle. Big advertising budgets aren’t built for businesses like ours, so I’m launching Hustle & Heart to spotlight the makers, doers, and dreamers of the Tri-Valley. This is your space to shine.

Here’s how it works:

  • On Thursday, June 26th, I’m featuring 10 local small businesses in my Tri-Valley Explorer newsletter. Each spotlight includes an image (logo, product, headshot—your choice), a ~125-word description of your business and any special offers, plus a link to your website or Instagram.

  •  Why only 10 businesses? To keep the newsletter engaging and easy to read—and to make the most of Instagram! I’ll run two boosted Instagram posts (featuring 5 businesses each, the max allowed per collab post). When you accept the Instagram collab, you’ll get extra exposure—and help promote other local businesses, creating a rising-tide effect.

  • I’m putting $200 in Instagram ads behind these posts to maximize reach.

  •  For this first edition of Hustle & Heart, the cost is only $175—and you’ll reach at least 20,000 local people. That’s less than one cent per person learning about your business! Here’s the breakdown:
    📬 Tri-Valley Explorer newsletter reaches 20,000 locals each week, with a 47% open rate (9,500+ readers).
    📱 Instagram boosted posts + collabs reach at least 11,000 locals

There are a few rules before deciding if you want to sign up. You’re eligible if:

  • You’re a solo entrepreneur or have a team of 3 or fewer (including yourself).

  • It can be your primary source of income, a side hustle, farmers market pop-up, communal kitchen business, online shop, or brick & mortar.

  • All types of businesses are welcome - products, food, services, coaching, real estate, etc.

  • Real Estate agents who own their own business are welcome, you just can’t be under a large national brokerage or an independent contractor affiliated with a larger firm like Compass, Edward Jones, etc. We have other advertising options for Real Estate firms. Send me an email! [email protected]

  •  No multi-level marketing businesses.

  • No adult-only content or services.

I review all submissions before publishing to ensure they align with our values and our readers’ interests. If you’re not sure you qualify, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to chat! [email protected]