Shawn Walker-Smith

Shawn Walker-Smith is an accomplished entrepreneur and advisor with extensive experience in the food and restaurant industry. As the Principal and Founder of Local Launch since July 2024, Shawn provides essential knowledge and tools to help new and pre-venture restaurants and food businesses succeed. Concurrently, since March 2021, Shawn serves as a Restaurant Program Advisor at the Northern California SBDC, offering no-cost business counseling and training to small business owners. Previous roles include managing operations at TART! Oakland, Steel Rail Public House, and Bakesale Betty, as well as contributing to community events as a Vendor Coordinator for the Autumn Lights Festival. Shawn's educational background includes a Certificate in Patisserie and Baking from the California Culinary Academy and a BA in Communications and International Relations from the University of the Pacific.