Thank you to the 23 KTBA members who joined us for our June Business Mixer on June 2, 2026, co-hosted by Studio Stratton and BF Burritos.
The mixer took place inside the beautifully renovated Studio Stratton showroom on Marlborough Drive, where members gathered around the center island of a dream kitchen designed by Lance Stratton himself. The relaxed setting made it easy for local business owners to connect, catch up, and enjoy the warm hospitality of our hosts.
The meeting began as it always does, with member introductions. Each attendee had the opportunity to introduce themselves and their business, creating a welcoming start to the evening and giving members a chance to learn more about one another.
KTBA Board Updates
Following introductions, KTBA board members shared several important organizational updates with attendees. We were pleased to announce the addition of our new Treasurer, Louise Guarnotta of the Kensington Talmadge Community Association, and to speak with members about the KTBA’s renewed focus on our charter and purpose: to strengthen and support local businesses in the Kensington and Talmadge neighborhoods by providing connection, visibility, and resources that help them grow and thrive within a vibrant, community-first environment.
As part of this renewed focus, the board is taking a thoughtful look at how KTBA can operate more efficiently and intentionally. While the Holiday Lights Bike Ride has become a beloved neighborhood tradition, it is, at its heart, a community event. KTBA is a business organization, not a community organization, and our efforts and resources need to be directed toward serving our member businesses through connection, visibility, and support. Our current board is also small, and many of our events require a significant amount of volunteer time and resources. For these reasons, the Holiday Lights Bike Ride will no longer be operated by KTBA. We are currently looking for another community organization to take it on, or for community members to continue the tradition independently.
We also shared more about KTBA’s transition to JoinIt, a member management platform that will help bring our association into the 21st century and reduce the administrative burden on our volunteer board. JoinIt will help us manage member onboarding, renewals, payment tracking, and other administrative tasks more efficiently. Members can expect to receive an email with more information in the next week or two.
The board also discussed the recent membership dues increase, which took effect on June 1. KTBA membership dues increased from $75 to $99. This is our first dues increase in nine years, and it reflects the rising costs of operating the association, including event expenses, insurance, storage, marketing, and the new JoinIt platform.
Promoting member businesses on social media continues to be one of the most important ways KTBA can support our members. Last year, we outsourced this responsibility to one of our members, Jana of Zettist, whose content marketing agency specializes in social media. Jana is here to help promote your businesses, events, and updates. Members are encouraged to tag @kentalbiz and reach out with news or content they would like to share.
As we move to JoinIt, KTBA will also transition from PayPal to Stripe, the payment platform connected to JoinIt. Members will receive an email from JoinIt when it is time to add payment information to the new system. Recurring payments through PayPal will be paused as we complete this transition.
Lance also shared a simple but meaningful reminder about how members can support one another: when you have a positive, genuine experience with a fellow member business, consider writing them a Google review. Honest reviews can go a long way in helping small businesses build visibility and trust. This is one example of the kind of member-to-member support KTBA hopes to encourage — grounded in real experiences, goodwill, and a shared commitment to helping our local business community thrive.
Business Spotlight: Studio Stratton & BF Burritos
After the KTBA announcements, guests heard from local business owners Lance and Marcie Stratton and Rodnia Attiq.
Lance and Marcie welcomed members into their newly designed Studio Stratton showroom and shared more about Studio Stratton’s high-end, highly customized home design services. The showroom features elegant cabinetry, a custom-designed hood, a panel-ready refrigerator, and thoughtful details that reflect the Studio Stratton approach: creating beautiful, functional spaces tailored to the way people live.
As a boutique, family-owned design studio, Studio Stratton brings local expertise and industry experience to kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, custom cabinetry, and personalized home renovation projects throughout San Diego. Their work balances beauty, function, and the relaxed coastal lifestyle that many San Diego homeowners value.
Members also heard from Rodnia Attiq of El Borrego Restaurant, who introduced BF Burritos, her newest catering venture. BF Burritos operates as a ghost kitchen business offering catering services and partnerships with local coffee shops. Guests enjoyed the burritos Rodnia provided for the evening while learning more about how her business is growing through local café partnerships.
BF Burritos can currently be found at Cuppa Cuppa on Mission Gorge, The Lab on Twain Street, Torque on El Cajon Boulevard, Good Omen on Park Boulevard in University Heights, and Ocean Beach Coffee & Plants in Ocean Beach. Rodnia also shared that BF Burritos is in conversation with Dark Horse Coffee and Parabola Coffee.
Next time you stop into one of these local cafés, don’t hesitate to ask for BF Burritos. Community connections make all the difference, and this is another simple way KTBA members and neighbors can help support a growing local business.
We are grateful to Lance, Marcie, and Rodnia for hosting such a welcoming and enjoyable evening, and to all of our members who attended. Events like this are a wonderful reminder of the creativity, hospitality, and entrepreneurial spirit within the Kensington-Talmadge business community.
Thank you again to everyone who joined us. We look forward to continuing this work together and seeing you at the next KTBA event.
