Brevard-Based trekALLa Approved for $10,000 Grant After Completing Cocoa’s Upstart Program

trekALLa owner Alisa Otto: Having this resource at my disposal has truly been life-changing

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA—trekALLa, a sustainably made women’s outdoor apparel company focused on getting women outside at whatever level they choose, was approved for a $10,000 grant to help launch and grow the small business in the Cocoa community.

Trekalla owner Alisa Otto completed Cocoa’s Upstart Cocoa program and received approval from Cocoa City Council for a $7,500 forgivable business loan.

“Thank you for the opportunity, I have never received support like I have going through this program,” said Alisa Otto, founder and owner of Trekalla, at the May 13 Cocoa City Council meeting, where the grant was unanimously approved.

“It is not easy running a business as a woman and as a mother. Having this resource at my disposal has truly been life-changing. I learned a lot more about finances and the structure of my business.”

The program, launched in 2021, was created as a business mentorship grant to attract new or expanding businesses to Cocoa.

Upstart Cocoa is a program designed to promote the growth of minority—and women-owned small businesses in the City of Cocoa.

The total awarded to the new Cocoa business was $10,000, of which $2,500 was allotted for the business to participate in management and mentorship courses through weVENTURE, which explore topics such as business management, finance and budgeting, marketing, product/service development, and human resources.

In addition, weVENTURE’s Ignite 360 business mentors partner with the Upstart Cocoa recipients to refine a business plan appropriate for a start-up or expanding business. Once the business has successfully completed the program, it can receive the remaining portion of the forgivable loan.

Some factors considered for loan approval include the business’s potential economic and fiscal impact on the community and its contributions to community development.

trekALLa is committed to producing functional, high-quality designs using environmentally friendly fabrics made from recycled materials. These fabrics feature moisture-wicking and wind-blocking capabilities. All apparel is manufactured in the United States, helping to keep dollars within the Brevard economy.

In addition to growing her business, Alisa plans to give back to the community by offering free summer sewing workshops for children and teaching elementary school students how to sew in the fall.

The remaining loan funds will be used to build on Trekalla’s early success and scale operations.

“Alisa was an ideal candidate for this program—she had the business knowledge. This is huge for Brevard. There are not a lot of micro factories in the state of Florida. This is the first in Brevard County,” said Dr. Kathryn Rudloff, Executive Director, weVENTURE Women’s Business Center

Mayor Mike Blake said the Upstart Cocoa Program strengthens the City of Cocoa’s role as a vibrant and competitive force in the Space Coast economy.

“Our city remains dedicated to empowering a diverse range of small businesses, helping them grow, thrive, and enrich the overall quality of life for our community,” said Blake.

To learn more about the Cocoa Upstart Business Development Program, visit Choosecocoa.org/upstart.

Similar Stories