Elizabeth Bush could say she owes her start in business to sea shells. Back in 1978 Bush and then-husband Ken Niehaus exhibited at a natural crafts fair in Oakland, selling seashells glued onto magnets. Shortly afterwards, they launched Shell Magnets.

Excellent Packaging and Supply, founded by Steve Levine of  Napa and co-owned with Greg Stevens of  Calistoga, has had a recent series of successes covered nationally.