LOCAL LEADER MAGAZINE NORTH COUNTY ISSUE 2 OCT 2021

NORTH COUNTY LOCAL LEADERS

Aymerick

Rondeau

STUNNING

MID-CENTURY MODERN RIGHT HERE PAGE 22

MAKING A DIFFERENCE One day, an old man was walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish that had been washed ashore by the high tide. As he walked he came upon a young girl who was eagerly throwing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one.

Puzzled, the man looked at the girl and asked what she was doing. Without looking up from her task, the girl simply replied, “I’m saving these starfish, Sir.” The old man chuckled aloud, “There are thousands of starfish and only one of you. What difference can you make?”

The girl picked up a starfish, gently tossed it into the water and turning to the man said, “I made a difference to that one!”

I can relate to everyone in this story. I have been the starfish desperately needing help...I've certainly been the judgemental old man who gave up trying...and...I've been the little girl, who has the wisdom to zoom in close enough to still care.

I'm honored to be getting to know some of the Local Leaders here in Carlsbad who do the same.

Adaptation from "The Star Thrower" by Loren Eiseley

Nominate a local leader or positive local story by emailing me at: brian@communicationcandy.com

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After all — changing the world for one person is still changing the world.

—Brian Koehn Founder of Carlsbad Local Leaders

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SMALL BUSINESS

INNOVATION & RECOVERY Carlsbad Village is the heart and soul of Carlsbad, California, just 40 minutes north of San Diego. Influenced by historic roots, proximity to beautiful beaches, and an unbeatable climate, the Village is a favorite destination of locals and tourists alike.

With shops, restaurants, hotels, and many services, the Village has everything you need — whether you’re visiting for the weekend or you’ve lived here for 20 years.

At the recent State of the Community presentation, the Carlsbad Village Association (CVA) was honored to receive the Ready Carlsbad Business Alliance Emergency Preparedness Award for its efforts during 2020 supporting businesses in downtown Carlsbad. The CVA staff and volunteer Board of Directors were grateful for the recognition and proudly accepted the award on behalf of the tenacious small businesses in Carlsbad Village. Expanding a bit on the mayor’s theme of “turning lemons into lemonade” CVA would like to brag a little bit more on how amazing its downtown businesses truly are.

Starting a business is hard enough without the pressures of a national pandemic looming overhead; however, despite the unprecedented situation, more than one business opened its doors during this perilous time. Many did. Au Savon de Provence, a French soap store; Le Papagayo, an upscale Mediterranean and Latin fusion restaurant; and Froglanders, a yogurt shop that also serves up specialty crepes, are just three of many who hung their shingle in Carlsbad Village during the pandemic.

Two especially innovative businesses, Pure Project and Barrio Glassworks, opened their doors for the first time on very auspicious days. Pure Project launched its tasting room on the day of the second restaurant shutdown in the summer of 2020 but created an innovative “to-go” model for their handcrafted beer that was successful from day one. Barrio Glassworks, a public glassblowing studio and retail gallery, opened its doors after a lengthy, multi-year construction effort, the first weekend of December 2020, just as San Diego County issued a new regional stay-at-home order. Despite the gloomy economic future, they were able to safely perform live glassblowing for the public and fill their retail gallery with artwork from numerous local glass artists and become a thriving destination for locals and tourists alike.

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Other businesses took advantage of their shuttered doors to renovate and recreate themselves. 264 Fresco added a rooftop tapas patio to their ocean-view restaurant and converted their large parking lot into an outdoor dining area that rivals any in the Village, while New Village Arts began the process of major repairs and expansion of their community theater. In addition to building a new relationship with the Flower Fields so they could continue to provide performances to the public in an outdoor venue, Executive Artistic Director Kristianne Kurner and team began working with the city on roof and wall repairs. They also launched fundraising efforts and brought full circle a campaign to undergo a complete remodel of the existing building. When finished, New Village Arts will have a new community gathering space, a second performing arts space, an expanded arts education center, as well as a remodeled and more modern stage and theater.

And, during 2020, the Carlsbad Village Association learned how to operate a public Farmers’ Market under extreme health and safety restrictions, utilizing almost 500 volunteer hours in the process, while also recreating the events it did not have to cancel as either outdoors and self-guided, or virtual.

While we all wish that 2020 was fully behind us and merely a memory, it appears that some of it is still lingering today. But, with everything the business community in Carlsbad Village has learned over the past 17 months, and with the support of Carlsbad’s business organizations behind them, the future still looks bright with a silver lining.

Christine Davis Executive Director Carlsbad Village Association

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE ONE JOB AT A TIME

by Molly Galliher

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Social worker turned nonprofit CEO Michele Jodock uses her skills and insight to fulfill a previously unmet need. Through her organization, Vantage Point, Michele regularly helps those with disabilities find meaningful employment.

As a social worker, Michele found herself in a frustrating situation. She was passionate about helping people with disabilities find meaningful work, but the environment she was in had limitations in terms of job placement opportunities. Using her personal contacts, Michele developed a highly successful system to help her people land good jobs and support themselves. That said, she knew she would help way more people if she had the chance to implement her full vision. That’s when she set her sights bigger and came up with the idea behind Vantage Point.B eginning operations this past January, Michele’s nonprofit, Vantage Point, has dedicated itself to “diversifying the workforce and making it more inclusive.” Intending to end the stigma against those

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Beginning operations this past January, Michele’s nonprofit, Vantage Point, has dedicated itself to “diversifying the workforce and making it more inclusive.” Intending to end the stigma against those with disabilities joining the workforce, Vantage Point works with individuals not just to find them jobs, but to find them competitive employment opportunities in fields that actually interest them.

Vantage Point is specifically designed for individuals who have slipped through the cracks — those deemed too high-functioning to qualify for many government programs, or who require assistance that is different from those with more severe disabilities, whether they be mental or physical.

Currently, Vantage Point already has over 80 clients in their care.

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Many of these clients are referred from the Department of Rehabilitation, meaning the services offered are of no cost to them.

When a case is opened with the department, an employment case is set up with Vantage Point and the entire process — from beginning the program to starting a job — takes an average of two to three months. Others who wish to pay privately can get the same service for a flat rate of $300 per month. Vantage Point works with clients to create resumes, build interviewing and networking skills, and works to build a client's confidence in themselves and their abilities.

Vantage Point offers two different programs. The first is the Time to Shine program, developed in partnership with speaker, trainer and author Denise Bissonette. The purpose of this program is to identify what the client’s interests and goals are while building their confidence as they improve their interviewing skills, create their resumes and learn tangible and transferable skills. For Michele, it isn’t just about clients leaving her program with a job but “leaving with the skills to get other jobs in the future.”

The other program offered by Vantage Point, called Reintegration, focuses on providing support for those coming out of incarceration, addiction or mental health facilities and giving them access to available employment opportunities. This program supports communities that are often not properly represented and who could benefit from an ongoing support system. Reintegration is all about “...welcoming these individuals back into the community, as they should be,” according to Michele.

For her work, Michele was the recipient of the Vendor of the Year award from the Department of Rehabilitation. When asked about her motivation behind starting Vantage Point, she replies, “I saw a need and took a risk. I used my own savings to start this organization and thankfully it’s paying off. I want to make an impact and provide something I think is such a deep need.”

With the early success of Vantage Point, Michele hopes to expand the organization outside of California beginning next year.

“The best part about my job is when someone gets a job,” says Michele. “I feel good about what I do.”

Learn more at: usevantagepoint.com (415)572-9449 ♦ referral@usevantagepoint.com

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"This is your captain speaking..."

by Molly Galliher

SPOTLIGHT ON

JENNIFER SPILMAN 12

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Women like Jennifer Spilman are a rare sight, even in this day and age. Jennifer makes up one individual in the five percent of female pilots found around the world and, even more important, just joined the ranks of the less than 1.5 percent of female airline captains globally. With a family of her own and a second job as a financial advisor, her ambition and drive are obvious.

role in the captain's seat of a Boeing 737. While her path has not been free from gender discrimination, the vast majority of people are pleased and encouraging when they see her in the cockpit — even taking the time to point it out to their kids — especially young girls. This is something both Jennifer and United Airlines are looking to encourage!

Growing up in a family involved in aviation, Jennifer dreamed of being a pilot from the time she was a child. Her father worked in management for American Airlines and she was exposed to air travel early in her life. From there, the seed was planted. During college, Jennifer trained at the local airport and after receiving all necessary certificates and ratings, became an instructor teaching people how to fly small airplanes. After acquiring the necessary hours, she got her airline transport pilot certificate, allowing her to apply for commuter airline jobs flying small planes of around 19 passengers. In 1998, Jennifer got her dream job at United Airlines.

For the past four decades, the percentage of female pilots in the industry has remained largely unchanged. Unlike other industries, womens' presence in aviation has not seen a major shift. According to Jennifer, “...a kind of societal stigma still exists… even in this day and age a lot of girls growing up aren’t encouraged to get into a job like this." Jennifer is working to set an example for these girls and ensure they know that this type of opportunity is open to them. United Airlines recently began a program called Aviate to encourage both gender and ethnic diversity in their pilots. United Airlines has one of the highest percentages of female pilots and pilots of color among the major airlines and is working to increase that number even further through their new training program.

After flying for more than 25 years, Jennifer recently took a major step forward. She was selected for intensive training at the United Airlines training center in Colorado. Upon completing this month-long intensive program, Jennifer accepted her new

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“When you put people who come from different backgrounds together into the cockpit, it’s actually a strength to have that diversity,” says Jennifer.

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When asked what advice she would give to other women looking to get into aviation, Jennifer has this to say: “Communication styles can be different. In most industries, effective communication is 100% the key to success. Aviation is no different. In fact, during an emergency or abnormal situation where things are happening fast and the situation is dynamic, communication is even more necessary. I have spent the vast majority of my life working with men and with very few exceptions they are great, but it’s occasionally apparent that they’re uncomfortable around women in their male-dominated environment. At that point, the most important thing is to be qualified for the job.”

COVID has created major challenges in the aviation industry.

As demand for travel decreased, many pilots like Jennifer were stuck at home for months and the threat of potential layoffs for thousands put the industry at a standstill. After the problems that befell the airline industry after 9/11, Jennifer took the opportunity to start an additional career as a financial advisor to manage the changes. Jennifer joined her husband in their Ameriprise financial practice in Carlsbad. Her drive for gender equality remains constant in her position as a financial advisor as she works to financially empower women who historically have not been afforded this chance. Even with a second job, her passion for flying has remained strong.

COVID caused a slump in the aviation industry yet again and Jennifer’s dedication to her second job has allowed her to maintain her positive attitude, even in the face of this pandemic.

As demand in the aviation industry now steadily increases, airlines are looking for new pilots and are eager to diversify their workforce. For those looking to get involved in aviation, Jennifer advises: “...it's hard work…you have to love it. If you don’t have the aviation bug deep down inside, the process will weed out people who aren’t willing to do what it takes.”

There is a lot involved in the job of a pilot, including being away from home for an extended period, traveling, working with different people, but the magic of flying remains constant and is one that continually keeps Jennifer involved.

“As simple as it sounds, my favorite part about my job is flying the planes," she says. "I love getting in the seat, shutting the door, and flying. I love seeing the weather, the clouds, and the Earth from a different perspective. You’re above so much of the haze in the atmosphere so when you look up at night, the stars are just incredible. The captain’s seat is the best seat in the house.”

Jennifer is an inspiration to women looking to break into this male-dominated field and acts as an example of how to balance passions with family, life obligations, and unforeseen hardships.

Have you ever asked yourself one of these questions: - Would I be able to survive if my spouse was suddenly gone?

- How much money should I have saved by this point in my life?

- Is my money working for me and how much risk am I taking?

If so, this is an indication you may be going it alone financially.

At Redstone Wealth Advisors we help our clients so they never have to ask questions like these again.

JENNIFER SPILMAN Financial Advisor Jennifer.Spilman@ampf.com

JenniferSpilman.com CA Ins #4083739

CHAD SPILMAN Financial Advisor, CDFA®

Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Chad.Spilman@ampf.com ChadSpilman.com CA Ins #0E56155

Schedule a complimentary initial consultation or learn more at

Redstone Wealth Advisors

A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

760.496.7560

2173 Salk Ave., Ste. 250 Carlsbad, CA 92008

Not Federally Insured No Federal Institution Guarantee May Lose Value.

The initial consultation provides an overview of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations. The Compass is a trademark of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC., a registered investment adviser.

Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2021 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

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When the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce began in 1923, it was a good day if seven members showed up for a meeting. Now, we have more than 300 people attend our Annual Business Awards Luncheon. With more than 1,100 member businesses employing 65,000 or more, the Carls-

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LOCAL OFFICIAL SPOTLIGHT Q & A with

Jim Desmond

San Diego Board Supervisor

WHAT IS INSPIRING YOU LATELY? It’s been inspiring to see so many people getting involved in politics. A couple of years ago, I had people ask me what does a Supervisor supervise — now people are becoming much more engaged in local politics, from the Board of Supervisors to local school boards. We are seeing many people who have never engaged in politics start to speak out. At our last board meeting we saw a large group of people very fed up, taking the day off of work and voicing their frustrations. This is the beauty of America and it’s been inspiring to see locally.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY OF CARLSBAD? I’m extremely grateful to represent the wonderful city of Carlsbad. I never take my job for granted and will always do my best to represent the entirety of our community.

For those who may not know my background, I was a Delta Airlines pilot for 33 years. It was a great job. I got to fly 737s all around the world. I met some wonderful people and saw some amazing places. I retired last year, but I’ve never been a full-time politician. I’m a US Navy veteran. I met my wife when I was in the Navy and we have two children who both live in North County.

IS THERE A PARTICULAR CAUSE, CHARITY OR POLICY DECISION YOU WOULD LIKE MORE PEOPLE TO BECOME EDUCATED ON RIGHT NOW? I think it’s incredibly important that people know about SANDAG and its $163 billion transportation plan.

SANDAG is the government body that decides where billions of dollars are spent for regional roads and transit improvements. The bulk of its plan proposes public transit and pedestrian infrastructure, with over two-thirds of the capital dollars going to rail, bus, bike lanes, and trails. In fact, most of the highway improvements actually reduce the overall amount of existing general purpose lanes, converting them to managed lanes that can charge drivers. While I’m not anti-transit, I believe we need to have a balance and this plan is too focused on downtown. Plus, they’re looking at charging all San Diegans for every mile we drive.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO IN CARLSBAD? I love going to The Carlsbad Village with all of the arts, entertainment and restaurants. It’s an energizing hub of North County coastal.

I want all Carlsbad residents to know that if they ever need anything, my office is available. My staff is very responsive and can help you with any issues. You can send me an email to Jim.Desmond@sdcounty.ca.gov and we will get back to you shortly!

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Invita Café

the healing properties of coffee

by Molly Galliher

Coffee shops held an important place in many of our daily lives. Whether they were our go-to stop before work, a place to meet friends, or even a study spot, coffee shops were places for people to gather, especially before the pandemic. This was the founding concept behind Invita, an Italian-themed coffee shop right here in San Diego. Invita comes from the Italian “to invite” and was created by Sara De Luca as a way to create a community centered on coffee.

“In Italy," says Sara, "community socialization happens around espresso. I wanted to bring that to America, the idea that coffee is a magnet uniting the community and allowing people to gather”.

Invita is about more than bringing people together, it is about building people up. When talking with Sara, her passion for helping others become the best versions of themselves is obvious. Sara regularly works to encourage her employees to better themselves and learn to trust in their abilities. When asked what her favorite part about her job is, she says: “I like dealing with the baristas. I hire people that don’t have a lot of experience — sometimes people who have never had a job before — and I love to watch them grow. When they start training, they’re always so unsure. I get to help them and watch them gain confidence while learning these new skills. Watching their confidence and self-worth improve is the most rewarding part of the job. It’s addicting.”

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Along with this encouragement, Sara is the American representative for the Women In Coffee Project, a charity organization based out of Italy. Operated by Carolina Vergnano, the project sources beans from women-owned and operated coffee plantations in the Dominican Republic and Honduras. When people purchase the Women In Coffee blend or items from the “pink” line sold in stores, five percent of the proceeds are used to fund charity projects across the globe. This year the project is building a library for the people of Honduras. Invita is working to make a difference on both a local and global scale.

Invita opened in 2016, operated by Sara and under the ownership of Common Grounds collaborative. At the beginning of 2020, Sara took the opportunity to purchase the company she had created and became the official owner in March of that same year.

Then COVID struck.

In Sara’s first few weeks as the owner of Invita, lockdown began.

Like many other local businesses, Invita was struggling. With the help and support of her family, Invita was able to survive, though its goal of getting people to gather was put on hold.

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As restrictions have begun to lighten, Invita’s role in the San Diego community has become even more relevant. According to Sara, “COVID made everyone feel so isolated. Suddenly just a cup of coffee at this little coffee shop has become such a powerful healing tool. This happened so organically. It’s incredible to see.”

With the isolation caused by COVID, the role of Invita, along with many other local spots, will become more important than ever in the coming months. Local spots like Invita will play a major role as we work to rebuild our connections to others and re-establish the community atmosphere that makes San Diego so great. For Sara, the best thing about San Diego is this sense of community.

“The people in San Diego allow you to be yourself while supporting your choices," she says. "There’s freedom for creativity and freedom to be who you want to be, unlike some other places.

Everyone makes an effort to find a community and find a place they belong. People here are loyal and so welcoming. That’s one of the great parts about Invita: I get to be a part of these communities as they form. Invita itself is one of these communities that people become a part of. I love it.”

Visit one of Invita’s two locations: 18021 Calle Ambiente Rancho Santa Fe OR 6790 Embarcadero Lane, Carlsbad Learn more at invitacafe.com

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Stunning Mid-Century Modern Right Here

?

Mais Oui!

BY CAROL HOLLAND LIFSHITZ

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O

nly with the help of a humble Frenchman could one find beautiful, authentic, foreign, vintage pieces of furniture right in San Diego County.

Through hard work and determination, he’s been cleaning up the furniture market with cleanlined, mid-century modern design.

Well-deserved success has come to an unlikely San Diego businessman. Aymerick Rondeau, a French immigrant who came to America in search of a dream, has turned the mid-century modern game on its side. His extraordinary eye for quality, unparalleled professional ethic, great restoration skills, and devotion to customers has earned him a unique place in this streamlined possessions market. Wise consumers are flocking to him with orders they’re confident only he can fulfill.

People generally refer to him simply as Aymerick. Who is this one-moniker local celebrity? Now known far and wide, his name is synonymous with excellence. His newfound recognition stems from a combination of two things. The first is how he got to where he is today: through sweat and perseverance, starting literally from the ground up. The second is the star-worthy product he delivers, namely the biggest and best authentic, Scandinavian mid-century modern furniture inventory in all of San Diego! Now just 44 years old, his tale began decades ago.

As a young man, Aymerick sought jobs in the hospitality industry during tourist seasons. The globe-trotting French native spent time first in Paris, then St. Martin, Miami, Hawaii and San Francisco. It was during his second stay in San Francisco from 2004 to 2010 that the previously-itinerant man chose to stay put and expand his interest in period piece possessions.

Always a lover of 1960’s automobiles, Aymerick became infatuated with interior design aesthetics from that period around the time his daughter was born in 2007. He started to collect and restore pieces, squeezing all of them into the small apartment he lived in with his family. Aymerick began adding signature specimens that lent “some sense of history to my home,” he says. “A lot of other options seemed dull. My casual fascination with 1950’s-1960’s flair grew into a full-fledged hobby.” He did this while still formally pursuing a career as a waiter, bartender, and maître d’ in fine dining restaurants.

With little money, he began his quest for “The American Dream,” He would define this aspiration as being able to solely manage an enduring business that he cherished, combined with the ability to sustain a nice lifestyle for his family through his efforts. After five years in San Francisco, he moved his kin from the city to a place with a more family-friendly lifestyle in North County San Diego.

It was not until around 2014, after relocating to San Diego, that he took his interest to the next level, and began pursuing furniture acquisition and sale as a side hustle. That year, he registered the business, called AYMERICK MODERN, with the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, and just twenty-four months later, he began importing from overseas.

In San Marcos, Aymerick continued to toil as a waiter for several more years at the tony Mille Fleurs, Mister A’s and Pamplemousse Grille. He gradually reduced his workload as he turned his attention to his budding business. As public desire quickly became apparent, Aymerick jumped into the venture fulltime in

Aymerick of AYMERICK MODERN

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“Aymerick today scours the world for classic, genuine 1960’s Scandinavian looks, importing the best from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and England.” early 2019.

With a personal love for this aesthetic, and a trust that consumers would share his predilection, Aymerick found himself at the cusp of an exploding business.

It includes the acquisition, full refinishing, and sale of vintage Danish and British mid-century modern furnishings, properly imported from Europe, to an ever-growing local and nationwide clientele.

Aymerick operates from a 6,000-square foot showroom at 3208 La Mirada Drive in San Marcos. The space is set in an industrial area near a wholesale florist, microbrewery, and open air space (Sunset Park.) Today, it resembles a museum as much as it does a warehouse.

He describes his facility as a “Mad Men” set. That beloved TV series spurred even greater demand in all things from the 1960’s, including vehicles, home goods and style of dress. The desire has endured long since the program ended in 2015. Aymerick, who loves the aesthetics of this period, can be seen cruising around town in either his 1964 Pontiac sedan or his 1962 Ford van when he’s out making a local delivery.

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What is it about this era of furniture that has fascinated Aymerick, as well as his rapidly growing clientele? Everything from that chapter of history, which lasted roughly from the mid-1930’s to mid-1960’s, has clean lines and minimal ornamentation. It is classic, graphic, understated and uncluttered. Sleek, geometric lines are juxtaposed with graceful, organic shapes.

Form follows function in this genre.

Smaller scale, portability, maximum storage and comfort are key. Many Americans still favor these timeless attributes in their homes, which explains much of this style’s enduring popularity today.

Aymerick features in his shop many iconic architects/designers of the Scandinavian modern golden age, such as Hans Wegner, Ib Kofod Larsen, Arne Jacobsen, ArneVodder, Omann Jun, Johnannes Andersen, Folke Ohlsson, Eero Saarinen, and Niels Moller, to mention a few, and gladly accepts requests to seek out rare pieces from them that he may not already possess in his warehouse.

The term “mid-century modern” was first coined in 1984 by art historian Cara Greenberg. Le Corbusier and Bauhaus

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leaders were among its first supporters.

It was based upon the ideals of simplicity, elegance, and functionality, and developed to be affordable to the average citizen. The movement prized the idea that good design should be accessible to all…a tangible, great equalizer for humanity. The ultimate idea was that it could better the lives of all the world’s inhabitants, not just the wealthy.

Aymerick today scours the world for classic, genuine 1960’s Scandinavian looks, importing the best from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and England.

Categories including seating, tables, storage units, and larger collections. He seeks out one-of-a-kind exclusives that have documented history and provenance. One example is the recently-sold, same-model rocking chair that once graced Frank Sinatra’s 1960’s Palm Springs home. That seat was seen in an iconic Life Magazine story on the Rat Pack crooner.

He used to travel to Europe three times a year, filling industrial-sized containers with Danish delights. Trips to Scandinavia and England included meetings with multiple antique dealers/suppliers. But since 2020, with the

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A beautiful high back reclining chair and its ottoman designed by Jacob Madsen and Acton Schubell for Bovenkamp.

cessation of international travel due to the Covid pandemic, he needed to rethink the way he did things in order to stay afloat. Currently, most purchases are done virtually and based on photos exchanged through emails, Instagram, WhatsApp, and the like. Aymerick looks forward to again circling the globe in search of treasures when world health concerns eventually subside.

To quote Aymerick, “My business is me, myself and I.” He personally handles every stage of his passion-fueled operation including, but not limited to, the selection of the furniture, its importation, refinishing, documentation, sale and shipping. I’m so grateful that I am the master of my own fate. This is a very personal, one-on-one business and it is precious to me. It is truly my passion.”

A modest and unassuming man, he neglects to mention that his prices are also quite reasonable when compared with the offerings of his nationwide competition. This is due to the fact that he chose not to opt for a classic brick and mortar modus operandi with its regular hours, but instead operates from a warehouse that doubles as a showroom.

Since 2014, Aymerick has been contracting all of his upholstered projects to highly-skilled Jose Velasquez from JVC Upholstery in Escondido. Jose V. has worked closely with him on hundreds of seating pieces. They have been given new life by maintaining the essence and integrity of their original designs while incorporating brand new period-correct upholstery.

Much more is involved in the enterprise’s success than what goes on within the warehouse. Handling and shipping are among many important considerations when it comes to older specimens. Aymerick has developed a nationwide network of reliable white glove carriers to ensure the safe delivery of furniture. For local clients, he sometimes delivers the goods himself.

Who are his customers? Recent ones have included celebrities like actor Val Kilmer. He bought a classic 1960’s RCA stereo console during the fall 2015 Modernism Week at Palm Springs, where Aymerick was exhibiting. It was a present for Kilmer’s daughter. Another recent celebrity fan is Finnish skateboard star Lizzie Armanto, currently

a SoCal resident, who bought a true 1962 item from his collection. Aymerick, himself a longtime skateboarding enthusiast, was delighted to engage in commerce and conversation with the star who shared much in common.

Ordinary folks are just as smitten with his extraordinary offerings. Appropriately, his warehouse is filled with top-level products priced for those with non-superstar budgets to enjoy.

Clients come from near and far. They include: young millennials interested in setting up first homes with a cool look; baby boomers, who want to re-visit their earlier lives; investors who recognize value; and all categories in between.

Aymerick pursues a further vision that comes from a place deep in his soul. He believes in saving the planet for his children and future generations. His vintage business is at its core eco-friendly: he offers consumers used pieces of quality-made crafted furniture which have been given new life as an alternative to newly bought, mass produced, and poorly made pieces that do not stand the test of time.

Another wise reason to invest in col-

“He seeks out one of a kind exclusives that have documented history and provenance.”

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“This is a very personal, one on one business and it is precious to me. It is truly my passion.”

lectable vintage pieces with character is that they’ll not only last for a lifetime but also hold their value in the future…in contrast to some of today’s contemporary offerings. This is similar to the lure that well-maintained classic cars have for their devoted collectors.

An additional consideration is the strong international demand that is colliding with a shrinking supply from Europe. This is a solid reason to make purchases now before all these Scandinavian beauties are forever gone from the market.

While Aymerick spends a lot of time in his showroom, visits are through appointment only so he can give each

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customer the attention they deserve.

He also conducts a lot of business over the Internet. By foot or by web, people come in search of hard-to-find and unique pieces. Many are referred to him by extremely satisfied buyers. Others find Aymerick Modern by searching online.

“If you shop with me,” Aymerick says, “it is almost like a treasure hunt. You have to find me.” His facility is not downtown, or in a San Diego neighborhood that has miles of competing stores. One won’t bump into him by chance; one must call, which requires curiosity and desire.

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Aymerick can be contacted online at aymerickmodern.com or by telephone at (760) 509-5974. When you call, do mention this article. You’ll be glad you reached out to him. ABSOLUMENT!

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Local Leaders right here in Carlsbad are making a difference in lives every day.

Leaders help build bridges between citizens, businesses & even government officials.

LEADER OF THE MONTH JOB DEVELOPER Michele Jodock, Founder/CEO VANTAGE POINT 6790 Embarcadero Lane, Ste 100 Carlsbad, CA ♦ 415-572-9449 usevantagepoint.com Social worker turned nonprofit entrepreneur Michele Jodock created Vantage Point to help people with disabilities of all kinds get hired into meaningful jobs that are perfect for them. Vantage Point was recently recognized as Vendor of the Year by the Department of Rehabilitation because of the positive impact her organization is making on communities, employers, and on the lives of people with disabilities.

Michele Jodock

BARBER/ OWNER Vianna Bigornia WING & BLADE BARBER CO.

BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Christine Davis EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CARLSBAD CHAMBER Kathleen McNary VP of MEMBER RELATIONS

WING & BLADE BARBER CO. believes in looking good, feeling good and doing good. Vianna and her team craft haircuts that inspire clients to be their best. When not working with clients, you can find the Wing & Blade team donating high-quality barber cuts to those in need via humanity showers for the homeless.

CARLSBAD VILLAGE ASSOCIATION Christine is the Executive Director of the Carlsbad Village Business Association. Ms. Davis has won both the Entrepreneur of the Year Award through the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce as well as their first ever Entrepreneur of the Decade award. In 2021 she was recipient of the Woman of Impact award for the 76th Assembly District in Business/Entrepreneurship.

She is also a member of the District Advisory Council on Jobs and the Economy started by Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner Horvath.

CARLSBAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE As the Chambers’ primary connection hub to the community, Kathleen connects leaders, businesses, philanthropic causes, and policy interests to make Carlsbad a better place to live, work and play.

6864 Embarcadero Lane Carlsbad CA wingandbladebarberco@gmail.com 760-936-5077

5934 Priestly Drive Carlsbad CA kathleen@carlsbad.org 790-931-8400 ext 216

400 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad CA ♦ carlsbad-village.com chris@carlsbad-village.com 760-644-2121

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DIGITAL MARKETING Judy Lin FOUNDER & CEO DIGITAL MARKETING DOCTOR AGENCY With over 20 years of corporate and digital marketing experience, Judy Lin is the Founder/CEO of Digital Marketing Doctor Agency, a boutique digital marketing agency based in Carlsbad, CA designed to help clients generate leads, web traffic, and to promote their branding and specialized product offerings. Digital Marketing Doctor Agency ( DMD) offers an array of marketing services such as SEO (search engine optimization), PPC (paid search), website design and more.

She works with startups, established corporate accounts and private medical practices.

2604 B El Camino Real #414 Carlsbad CA digitalmarketingdoctor.us 760-390-9980

FOOD BANK Wendy Starling FOOD BANK DIRECTOR NORTH COUNTY FOOD BANK Under Wendy’s management, the North County Food Bank has expanded from a 5,000-square-foot warehouse in San Marcos distributing 75,000 pounds of food per month in the community to a 40,000-square-foot warehouse in Vista distributing over half a million pounds per month. Wendy serves as a board member for Feeding the Soul Foundation in Oceanside and spends her spare time volunteering with the 501st Legion, a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization with a mission to bring good to communities through volunteer charity work and fundraising.

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” —Yoda

GIRL SCOUTS Liz Sheahan, BSW, MA CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER GIRL SCOUTS SAN DIEGO Liz oversees all Girl Scouts San Diego’s advancement initiatives, including marketing, communications and philanthropy. She and her team work hard to engage the community in empowering girls to be strong leaders for our community and our world. A graduate of the LEAD San Diego Impact program, she currently serves on the boards of directors for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and North County Philanthropy Council.

San Diego CA Lsheahan@sdgirlscouts.org

1445 Engineer Street, Suite 110 Vista CA wstarling@sandiegofoodbank.org 790-931-8400 ext 216

Chad & Jennifer Spilman REDSTONE WEALTH ADVISORS FINANCIAL ADVISOR Chad Spilman, CDFA® Lic#0E56155 REDSTONE WEALTH ADVISOR A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

2173 Salk Avenue, Suite 250 Carlsbad CA Cell 760-470-2902 Office 760-496-7560

In addition to being Financial Advisors, Jen and Chad are commercial airline pilots. Beginning with the devastating events of September 11th, and the subsequent problems that befell the airline industry, they experienced firsthand the pain and uncertainty of trying to manage financially on their own. This ignited a new passion: to become Financial Advisors and help others financially.

Jen is especially passionate about helping women become empowered financially, as women have not historically been active participants in their financial lives. In addition, Chad is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and helps secure fair and equitable settlements.

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FINANCIAL ADVISOR Jennifer Spilman, CDFA® Lic#4083739 REDSTONE WEALTH ADVISOR A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

2173 Salk Avenue, Suite 250 Carlsbad CA Cell 760-470-2901 Office 760-496-7560

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LAW OFFICES Trial Attorneys LITIGATION FIRM HHJ TRIAL LAWYERS Since its inception, HHJ Trial Attorneys has recovered millions of dollars for their clients and have taken on high-profile cases against celebrities, large corporations, insurance companies, and the government. HHJ’s cases have also been featured in a variety of mainstream news stations, gaining them national recognition and rewards across the United States.

The partners at HHJ were all recently selected as Super Lawyers and were named the “Best Litigation Firm” in San Diego County.

INVESTMENT BANKING John Sanders STRATEGIC BUSINESS CONSULTANT JOHN D. SANDERS John D. Sanders serves as an investment banking /strategic business consultant and promoter for emerging growth technology companies. He also has served as a Director and Advisor of several public and private technology corporations ranging in size of annual revenues from $1 million to $70 million.

Carlsbad CA john@johnsanders.com 843-491-6060

2121 Palomar Airport Rd, Ste 300 Carlsbad CA hhjtrialattorneys.com 888-505-2934

PHYSICAL THERAPY Joe Walker PERFORMANCE PHYSICAL THERAPY ATHLETES' THERAPIST Owner of Athletes' Therapist, Joe graduated first in his class with a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from California State University of Long Beach in 2007. He specializes in bridging the gap between rehabilitation and performance utilizing a holistic approach to injury. While Joe has earned an elite reputation rehabbing the world’s best professional athletes and Olympians, he provides the same services to high school, collegiate, and amateur athletes as well as everyday people looking to recover from injury or surgery in the most effective manner.

Carlsbad CA joewalker@athletestherapist.com athletestherapist.com 760--681-6187

Nick & Staci Stefan GRACIE JIU JITSU OWNER/INSTRUCTOR Nick Stefan GRACIE JIU JITSU Premier Martial Arts Academy in Carlsbad, CA. Learn Self Defense and Competition for Kids, Women, and Adults of all ages!

6108 Avenida Encinas #C Carlsbad CA 760-918-0566

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As head instructor, Nick has cultivated a family-friendly environment that is truly supportive of every student, regardless of where they are in their journey. He welcomes all ages, fitness levels and confidence levels at Gracie Carlsbad. Having witnessed people’s lives transform from all backgrounds, Nick knows that there is a place for everyone in Jiu Jitsu.

Staci’s passion is in providing peace of mind and lasting empowerment to women, parents, and children through self defense Jiu Jitsu. (Little Ninjas are her favorite!) As a Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt, Staci loves running the family business and training alongside her husband and their four beautiful children.

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OWNER/INSTRUCTOR Staci Stefan GRACIE JIU JITSU Premier Martial Arts Academy in Carlsbad, CA. Learn Self Defense and Competition for Kids, Women, and Adults of all ages!

6108 Avenida Encinas #C Carlsbad CA 760-918-0566

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PODCASTING John Biathan PRESIDENT/PRODUCER IMAGINE PODCASTING dba HEARD NOT SEEN MEDIA, INC. John utilizes his 16+ years of podcast experience to help his clients eliminate their competition via audio storytelling.

John’s personal background allows him to bring truly unique intuitive insights to people who are ready to be heard. In 2020 he received the “Champion of the Year” award, the highest award given by the Chamber for his volunteer work driving several committees to excellent outcomes. Since 2007 John’s work in podcasting has primarily focused on bringing “forward” women’s voices.

2292 Faraday Ave, Suite 100 Carlsbad CA imaginepodcasting.com 760-282-4101

REAL ESTATE Brian Devore REALTOR & SENIOR ADVOCATE

RESTORATION Barry Feinman PRESIDENT/FOUNDER

DEVORE REALTY GROUP Bryan Devore is a Realtor and Director of Senior Services with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. Holding the Senior Real Estate Specialist designation, Bryan specializes in creating solutions for the real estate needs of seniors throughout San Diego County. He is the co-host of Senior Savers, a reality TV show that presents the often unknown services available for seniors and their families. Bryan lives in Carlsbad and has two sons.

RESTORATION ARTECHS, INC dba BARRY’S RESTORE IT ALL PRODUCTS Barry is a local inventor and entrepreneur who is passionate about making the world a more beautiful place. His breakthrough techniques and products have restored everything from the Golden Gate Bridge, local art sculptures, commercial buildings, all the way to kitchen sinks, appliances, and grills.

Barry recently developed a local school to teach his proprietary processes to the next generation. He is passionate about sharing his 30 years of restoration expertise with others who want to join his mission in bringing more beauty into the world while providing for their families.

5973 Avenida Encinas #110 Carlsbad CA Bryan@DevoreRealtyGroup.com DevoreRealtyGroup.com 760-908-3838

barrysrestoreitall.com restorationartechs.com Cell 760-846-3323 Office 760-804-5707

Sandra Daniels - Solar Expert - Powur PBC

SOLAR POWER Sandra Daniels SOLAR POWER EXPERT 6. Barry Fineman

POWUR PBC Sandra is committed to creating a brighter future through sustainable energy. As a solar expert, she helps homeowners achieve energy independence and savings, while contributing to a greener future. In addition to expanding sustaining energy, Sandra is passionate about helping people who experienced setbacks get the community support they need to become financially self-sustaining.

Barry Feinman President & Founder

WELLNESS COACH/OWNER Jackson Hale BS, LMT, Pn1, NASM CES/Cpt Jackson Hale B.S., LMT, Pn1, NASM CES/Cpt Owner & Wellness Coach, 360wellness 760.783.1306 Psalm 91

360WELLNESS Jackson Hale, founder of 360wellness, has built a Christian Wellness Program focused on restoring and optimizing your physical, mental and spiritual best. From recovery to movement and nutrition to lifestyle coaching, he is here for you through your journey of healing, longevity and resilience.

5. Sandra Daniels Solar Expert - Powur PBC

Interested in getting involved with Carlsbad Local Leaders OR would like to nominate a Local Leader OR submit a story? send email to: brian@communicationcandy.com

Carlsbad, CA 760-783-1306

Carlsbad, CA 760-454-5420

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