Success Story: Autobooth LLC

Capturing Moments and Building a Business with Autobooth 

Location: Northern California | Marin County | San Anselmo 

Business Type: Arts, Entertainment and Recreation – Mobile Photo Booth 

CalOSBA Partner: Marin SBDC 

Assistance Received: Business advising, financial projections, loan preparation and business setup guidance 

California State Assembly District: 12 

California State Senate District: 2 

Visit Autobooth online. 

Felice Faison and Hannah Lichtenstein met in high school and later followed entrepreneurial paths of their own, Felice as a florist and Hannah as a hairstylist. Each built strong networks and connections within the event industry, and over the years the two talked about starting a business together. 

Timing mattered. Both had recently started their families and were raising young children, so they wanted a business that offered flexibility as mothers while still giving them the chance to build something meaningful together. After years of working with floral arrangements, Felice was especially motivated to build around a non-perishable product. Together, they shared an interest in nostalgic, thoughtfully designed event experiences. 

Their original idea was a mobile photo booth, but by the time they first came to Marin SBDC, it had grown into a much larger venue concept. They needed support evaluating whether the concept was feasible and whether a venue-based business was financially realistic, along with guidance on startup costs, funding strategy and how to structure a business that fit their available resources. 

SBDC Advisor Paul Bozzo reviewed their business plan, startup projections and funding strategy. He helped them see that the idea had potential, but that it required a level of investment and risk that was not realistic for their current stage. That perspective led Felice and Hannah to pivot back to their original mobile photo booth idea. 

From there, Paul worked closely with them to refine the business plan for the photo booth, including startup budgets, revenue streams, execution strategy and two-year financial projections. He also helped them evaluate funding options, compare loan products, calculate loan amounts and payments, and prepare their Working Solutions microloan application. After approval, Paul reviewed the loan terms, collateral requirements and final documents with them before signing. He also advised on business setup and early go-to-market planning. 

Felice and Hannah shared their experience in their own words: 

“Working with SBDC Advisor Paul Bozzo was essential in helping us take our idea and turn it into something realistic we could actually launch. He helped us evaluate whether the concept would realistically work and think through important details we might not have considered on our own. 

Having an experienced advisor review our business plan, financials, and strategy, and give honest feedback on what worked and what needed to change, made a huge difference. It gave us confidence that we were doing things the right way and not skipping important steps. That was the most valuable part for us. 

Paul also guided us through the loan process and helped us understand every step along the way. The whole experience felt smooth and straightforward. The support of the SBDC played a critical role in helping us launch the business.” 

Today, Autobooth is up and running. The business is a mobile photo booth housed in a red vintage Ford Falcon van, serving events across the Bay Area. Felice and Hannah work full time in the business, which launched with a $31,000 loan from Working Solutions and a $15,000 owner investment. They have already hosted a successful first private event and participated as a vendor in the 2026 May Madness Car Show & Parade in San Rafael. 

To learn more about Autobooth and the photo booth packages it offers for weddings, corporate events and community gatherings, visit them online. And if you have an idea you want to test before you launch, connect with Marin SBDC to put it through its paces. 

[October, 2026]