Liz James is the owner of The Happy Tomato, a manufacturer of homemade FDA approved Marinara Sauce. She has been running her business for two years now and has enjoyed growing her business in an entrepreneur-friendly, buy-local neighborhood.

Liz comes from the corporate world with many years of experience in office administration and finance. After years of the corporate grind and losing her husband to cancer, Liz thought it was time to do what she truly believed in; getting families back around their dining room table and enjoying time together. She completed the Community Investment Collaborative entrepreneurial workshop, and was endorsed by CIC to crowd-fund a $5,000 loan from Kiva Zip, which was funded within 24 hours.

The Happy Tomato is now available in Whole Foods, Rebecca's, Integral Yoga, Foods Of All Nations and several other local stores. Relay Foods carries her products as far out as Richmond, Washington D.C, and Maryland.

When Liz is not cooking, she enjoys hiking, biking and skiing with family and friends.

Liz will be speaking at Successful Crowdfunding Campaigns.