209 Business Journal December 2018

k e e p i n g

BUSINESS JOURNAL

b u s i n e s s e s

c o n n e c t e d ™

DECEMBER 2018

VOLUME 3 ■ ISSUE 12

IN PROFILE

DRINK BEER, HELP OTHERS

Tap Truck is a new mobile beverage catering service in the 209 region that features than locally-crafted brews like beer, wine and cider.

PAGE 5

NEWS

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Blaker pic: Ceres fireighters joined the staff at Blaker Brewing on Nov. 27 as they started their brew of Sierra Nevada’s Resilience IPA to raise funds for victims of the Camp Fire in Butte County.

Dust Bowl pic: Dust Bowl Brewing Co.’s two Turlock locations will release the Resilience IPA on Dec. 19.

The Turlock Town Center is going to have a new look as Smart & Final Extra moves in and other shops relocate to new storefronts in the center.

PAGE 9

Local breweries join efforts to raise funds for fire victims

BY KRISTINA HACKER

B

209 Business Journal

reweries throughout the 209 have joined dozens of other beer makers across the country in brewing up a special batch of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s Resilience that will be released this month — with all proceeds going to help victims of the Camp Fire in Butte County.

Chico-based brewery Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. set up a Camp Fire Relief Fund through the Golden Valley Bank Community Foundation and seeded the fund with a $100,000 donation.

Sierra Nevada then reached out to its fellow brewers across the country and asked if they could help with the fundraising efforts through the release of the Resilience Butte County Proud IPA. Over 1,000 breweries have answered Sierra Nevada’s call for assistance — including 13 in the 209 area code. Dust Bowl Brewing Co. in Turlock and Blaker Brewing in Ceres are two of the local businesses willing to brew for a good cause.

“Dust Bowl Brewing Co. had already been pondering how we could help, so the invitation could not have been timelier,” said Dust Bowl’s public relations manager Michelle Peterson.

On Giving Tuesday, Nov. 27, Dust Bowl and the other participating craft breweries across the country brewed the Resilience Butte County Proud IPA, with Sierra Nevada providing the recipe and working with suppliers to provide discounted ingredients.

Dust Bowl Brewing Co. brewed a 10-barrel batch (approx. 250300 gallons), which will be released at a special fundraising event on Dec. 19. The Resilience IPA will then be on tap in Dust Bowl’s two Turlock taprooms.

Channel Brewing Co. in Stockton (110 N. San Joaquin St.) also participated in the brew and announced their batch of the Resilience IPA would be released Dec. 21, while Persuasion Brewing Co. in Modesto (500 7th Street) raised over $1,500 for Camp Fire victims during a fundraiser on Nov. 27 — before they had even begun their brew.

“We know that the rebuilding process will take time, but we’re in this for the long haul. Our hope is to get Resilience IPA in taprooms all over the country to create a solid start for our community’s future,” said Sierra Nevada founder Ken Grossman in a release.

Dust Bowl has two taprooms located at 200 W. Main St. and 3000 Fulkerth Rd. in Turlock.

Blaker Brewing is located at 1063 Montclaire Dr., Ceres. Other participating breweries in the 209 include River Rock Brewery in Galt (807 C St.), Five Window Beer Co. in Lodi (9 W. Locust St.), High Water Brewing in Lodi (927 Industrial Way), Lodi Beer Company (105 South School St.),

Brethren Brewing Company (1430 Quincy Ave.), Last Call Brewing Company in Oakdale (944 Shepard Ct.) and G3Enterprises in Modesto (502 E. Whitmore Ave.).

For a full map of participating breweries, visit sierranevada. com.

2

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

DECEMBER 2018

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

3

IN PROFILE

Local imagery professional named ‘Person of the Year’

BY TERESA HAMMOND 209 Business Journal

Maureen Minnehan Jones has a passion for helping people.

Now 20 years in the business of doing so as a registered nurse and guided imagery practitioner, her gift for helping others has been acknowledged.

Recently Minnehan Jones was recognized as the ‘Imagery Person of

the Year’ by Imagery International. An honor, she shared, that she’d never fathomed receiving.

“That’s the crazy part,” she said of receiving the e-mail. “That wasn’t anywhere on my radar. It was not anything I’d ever thought of. So I was so shocked.”

While it may not have been on her radar, it was an honor she was familiar

with. The imagery practitioner shared she’d formerly been a speaker at the Imagery International Conference hosted for three days in Menlo Park.

She learned via e-mail that she was chosen as the winner from a ballot list of five nominated by peers within the field. She attended the three-day conference, as well as received the award while at

ATTN: PROPERTY OWNERS Tired of hassling with your renters?

We can help!

Serving San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties for 40 Years in Property Management

the event.

“They just come from all over the world and it’s really fun,” she said of those in attendance. “Everyone does the imagery a little different.”

Minnehan Jones not only does the imagery but also uses a technique she developed known as the MO (Modus Operandi) TechSEE IMAGERY, PAGE 5

TERESA HAMMOND/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

Maureen Minnehan Jones, registered nurse and guided imagery practitioner was recently acknowledged as the 2017 Imagery Person of the Year by Imagery International. Nominees are submitted by their peers and the winner selected by the board.

Some things you can’t predict.

Your coverage shouldn’t be one of them.

Let’s talk about it.

Business • Farm • Crop Workers Comp • Auto • Health

Commercial & Residential clients welcome!

Pat Coons, Realtor 209-499-7816 F Street Properties 209-847-5934 801 West F Street, Oakdale Oakdale Realty DRE#00816374

Protecting your most valuable assets since 1957.

1718 Main Street, Escalon • 209-838-3561 • cromwellney.com Lic #OH91209

HELPING VALLEY BUSINESS GROW

Deep Roots ~ Strong Branches

866.844.7500 • www.ovcb.com Oak Valley’s Mike Garcia, Commercial Banking Market Manager, 343.7607, and Nate Benninger, Branch Manager - Modesto 12th & I, 343.7609, with Dean and Amanda Brewer of Brewer Family Dentistry

Oakdale • Sonora • Modesto • Turlock • Patterson Escalon • Ripon • Stockton • Manteca • Tracy • Sacramento

“The Oak Valley team has been great to us. They made our entire loan process seamless and delivered outstanding results. Their personal attention to our needs and business are invaluable.”

- Dean Brewer, DDS, and Amanda Brewer, DDS, Brewer Family Dentistry

4

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

DECEMBER 2018

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

5

IN PROFILE

Tap Truck pours up the good times

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

There’s nothing better than locally-crafted brews like beer, wine and cider — that is, unless they roll up to your event in a custom restored 1964 GMC Panel truck. It sounds too cool to be true, but Tap Truck Central Valley has helped classic car lovers who also consider themselves beverage aficionados keep the party flowing since they rolled into business earlier this year.

“When we pull up to a party in that truck with beer on tap, no one is ever disappointed,” Tap Truck owner and operator Julie Amaral said.

Amaral, a Modesto native, and Hilmar resident Monica Farhat were inspired to bring a mobile beverage catering service to Turlock and the surrounding area after seeing a similar company in Portugal, she said. They connected with Tap Truck founders Taylor Steers and Corbin O’Riley, who originally started the business in San Diego but have since branched out to other regions, and were pointed in the direction of the vintage GMC thanks to their guidance.

Just a few months and plenty of restoration later, the Valley’s Tap Truck made its debut at a launch party in March.

“They told us we could customize the colors and we were sold,” Amaral said.

“We had a vision for what we wanted ours to look like and that’s what you see.”

The Tap Truck features a striking turquoise paint job and chrome bumpers, inspired by the cars that cruised the streets of Modesto in the George Lucas film “American Graffiti,” and, of course, several

IMAGERY

FROM PAGE 3

nique for healing. A technique which helps with energetic blocks related to illness. She is also the author of a best-selling book “Wisdom to Wellness: Healing Your Emotional Sufferings so the Physical Can Follow.”

“I use a lot of guided imagery,” she said of her technique.

“I’ve seen thousands. I do Skype and phone, as well as in office visits, so I’ve seen people from all over the world. It’s very cool.”

The coolest part, however, for the imagery practitioner comes in the form

World Tile puts customers’ needs first

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Tap Truck Central Valley provides beer, wine and cider on tap for events in a 1964 GMC panel truck.

taps on the side of the truck that can pour the beer, cider or wine of the party thrower’s choice.

Amaral said that the Tap Truck enjoys recommending local brews from businesses like Dust Bowl Brewing in Turlock, Last Call Brewing in Oakdale and Blaker Brewing in Ceres for those who are unsure of what they’d like on tap.

“There are quite a few craft breweries in the Central Valley, and we like to pour local whenever we can,” she said. “We enjoy the local beer scene that we have here.”

The Tap Truck is available to book for events ranging from 25 to 5,000 guests, including simple wedding rentals to corporate events, brewery festivals, football game tailgates and more.

The Tap Truck can show up anywhere as an event’s mobile bar.

“We knew there was a market for it here — it was just a matter of being a unique niche in that market,” Amaral said.

For more information about the Tap Truck Central Valley, visit www.taptruckcentralvalley.com or call 541-5301.

of client testimonials. Each client meets with Minnehan Jones for a minimum of two hours (length of a first session). Depending on the work needed, be it emotional, illness or disease, a patient plan is developed from there.

One most recent patient was a medical doctor from out of state who had been struggling with a mystery illness, which took him from his career.

After countless tests and doctor visits were unable to help the medical professional, he made a trip out to see Minnehan Jones. A testimonial written by the doctor stated he experienced the “most profound relief, better than any other

approach.”

Now with four visits behind him, he is back to work as a medical professional and has returned to life as it once was.

“I just want to let people know I’m still here,” the healer said of her local practice and continued commitment to helping others. “I’m still here doing business and whoever I can help I want to help.”

Shingles and Plantar Fasciitis are the most common ailments she is currently seeing patients come in with. She describes the plantar as a symptom for someone who is the shock absorber for the family.

“A lot of people, even when I say that, they don’t

know what that means, “she said, “but once they come here and I explain it and we go into it they can see. They’re the one who takes on all the shock.”

Awards, books and an industry recognized technique aside; it’s the clients who remain the driving force for Minnehan Jones.

“The best part is the clients, everyone is different,” she noted. “Everybody is grateful and they feel lighter when they leave and they feel something different. It’s just fun.”

For additional information on Minnehan Jones or to schedule an appointment, call 845-8141 or visit www.maureenminnehanjones.com.

World Tile Design & Showroom has helped Turlock and the surrounding community create the kitchens of their dreams since they moved into town five years ago, and this month the business celebrated its anniversary — and an exciting new partnership — with a grand “reopening” of their newlyremodeled showroom.

World Tile originally operated out of the home of its owners, Ramiro and Virginia Madueno, in Riverbank before moving to Turlock in 2013, where today customers can select tile, granite, quartz and stone products that are crafted within hours.

“We looked in Riverbank, Oakdale and Modesto, but my husband said no one compared to what Turlock was able to do for him when he was out researching permits and business licenses,” Virginia Madueno said.

“He immediately said Turlock is going to be our second home.”

Virginia operates her own public relations, marketing and community outreach firm, Imagen, out of an office on World Tile’s second story, and she now uses her business to help her husband manage marketing for the showroom. The first thing she told him, she said, was that World Tile needed to expand its product line.

With that expansion came a partnership with Bedrosians — a tile and stone designer whose nearest location is in Modesto. World Tile’s showroom not only has samples of what Bedrosians products are available, but customers can also order unique styles from the company seen online right in Turlock as

well.

“We want to make sure the community of Turlock and its adjacent communities now see Turlock as another viable option to pick up Bedrosians products,” Virginia said. “We thought, ‘If we can save people from having to drive into Modesto, then let’s launch this.’”

In addition to countertops and tiles, World Tile also provides consultation for cabinetry, connecting customers with local tradesman who can create custom work, as well as plumbing and everything else in between.

Virginia believes World Tile’s success in Turlock over the past five years is due in part to the showroom’s excellent customer service. She gave the example of a couple from Tracy who recently came to the business for a new countertop after their efforts proved to be useless at one of the town’s larger hardware stores.

“No one would even look in their direction because they wanted a smaller piece,” Virginia said. “They came in here, went and had lunch, came back and had it ready for them in two hours.”

World Tile, and Ramiro, always go above and beyond for customers, Virginia added.

“I think that’s what differentiates my husband from others. If there’s something that isn’t 90 to 100 percent spot on in terms of craftsmanship, he’ll rip it out,” she said. “He doesn’t believe in mediocre work. He really does pride himself on quality and the care that he likes to give his customers.”

For more information call World Tile at 9961040 or visit them at 728 S. Center St., Turlock.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Pam Heaney, Keristofer Seryani and Virginia Madueno celebrate World Tile Design & Showroom’s grand “re-opening” on Nov. 1.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

6

DECEMBER 2018

OPINION

Vol. 3 No. 12 ■ December 2018 PUBLISHER Hank Vander Veen

GENERAL MANAGER Drew Savage

MANAGING EDITOR Sabra Stafford

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

NEWSROOM Jason Campbell Dennis D. Cruz Kristina Hacker Teresa Hammond Marg Jackson Glenn Khal Angelina Martin Candy Padilla Vince Rembulat Virginia Still Dennis Wyatt

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

­—Aesop

Harold L. George

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sharon Hoffman

ADVERTISING DIRECTORS Chuck Higgs

SALES & MARKETING Chris Castro Beth Flanagan Dawn Hamilton Corey Rogers Melody Wann Charles Webber Jennifer Webber

DIGITAL Frankie Tovar Rich Matheson

To advertise in 209 Business Journal, call Manteca • 209.249.3500 Oakdale • 209.847.3021 Turlock • 209.634.9141 209 Business Journal is published monthly 122 S. Third Ave • Oakdale, CA 95361 Information: dsavage@209businessjournal.com 209businessjournal.com The Oakdale Leader USPS No 178-680 Is published weekly by Morris Newspaper Corporation, 122 S. Third Ave. Oakdale, Ca 95361 ©Copyright 2018. 209 Business Journal All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher of 209 Business Journal is strictly prohibited. The opinions expressed in 209 Business Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of 209 Business Journal management or owner.

209 Business Journal assumes no responsibility and makes no recommendation for claims made by advertisers and shall not be liable for any damages incurred.

209MAG A Z I N E.CO M

Trump’s trade talk: NAFTA, the New NAFTA or no NAFTA?

BY VERONIQUE DE RUGY Creators Syndicate

After spending months complaining about the disparity between the United States and other nations’ duties, along with the unfair treatment of U.S. exporters, President Trump is once again threatening to pull the plug on one of the best tariff-equalizing deals ever made: the North American Free Trade Agreement. As always, his allies argue that this is a brilliant negotiating strategy to force the Democrats to adopt his new NAFTA. I don’t know if that strategy will succeed, but it’s incredibly inconsistent with his stated goal of wanting lower and reciprocal tariffs on U.S. exports.

A quick reminder of how we got here: From day one in the White House, the president has declared his intention to pull out of NAFTA. He has claimed many times that the 1994 deal was the worst deal ever agreed to by the United States. He used this threat of withdrawal to extract a new deal with Canada and Mexico called the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a deal he modestly labeled “the most important trade deal we’ve ever made by far.”

This statement, however, should be taken with a grain of salt. In fact, while the USMCA includes some needed modernization to the 25-year-old NAFTA and delivers a sliver of trade liberalization in a few areas, on net it’s more protectionist than NAFTA, due to punishing new “rules of origin” and high minimum-wage requirements. But no matter how imperfect the agreement is, it may ease the fear of a NAFTA withdrawal — for now, at least.

With the Democrats regaining a majority in the House, the future of the USMCA is somewhat in limbo. As a result, the president is in full attack mode.

He announced last weekend, “I will be formally terminating NAFTA shortly. ... And so Congress will have a choice of the USMBCA or pre-NAFTA, which worked very well.”

I fail to see what leverage the president believes he has against the Democrats. For one thing, they have always largely opposed free trade in general. I doubt that moving away from trade liberalization will be a big problem for them.

Besides, since Trump’s election, the Democrats’ strategy has consisted of opposing him

at every turn. With this ultimatum, Trump is giving them a golden opportunity to do just that. The cherry on top is that he will likely be blamed for the economic downfall that would inevitably follow the end of NAFTA. I also fail to see how the president sees a return to the preNAFTA world as advancing his goal of reciprocity in trade duties. Under NAFTA, all U.S. exports going to Mexico are dutyfree, as are non-agricultural U.S. exports to Canada. Even in spite of the Canadians’ high dairy duty, 97 percent of U.S. agricultural exports go to our neighbor to the north dutyfree. In exchange, Mexico and Canada export their goods to us free of tariffs.

A withdrawal would shatter this balance. Not only will tariffs go up, hurting consumers and exporters in all three countries, but the tariffs would be highest on U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico.

As my colleague Dan Griswold explained to me, “Without NAFTA, U.S. duties on imports would jump from virtually zero to an average of 2.3 percent on non-farm products and 3.8 percent on farm products. The corresponding average duties

in Canada would jump to 2.3 and 12.4 percent, and in Mexico to 3.5 and 20.1 percent.”

In other words, by his own standard, President Trump would make trade even more “unfair” to American exporters than it was when he came into office. But it gets worse. As it happens, Mexico is the king of free trade agreements. The country has some 40 agreements with other nations. Unlike Americans, exporters in these favored nations will face low duties when exporting to Mexico.

The bottom line is that if President Trump believes unfair trade is defined by other countries imposing higher tariffs on U.S. exporters than the U.S. imposes on them, he needs the current NAFTA in place in case the Democrats reject the USMCA. If he withdraws and the Democrats pull out of the USMCA, he will have done more to bring about unfair trade to U.S. exporters than anyone before him.

Veronique de Rugy is a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

Backers receive early version of product or other rewards (Ex. Kickstarter, Indiegogo)

Reward-based

Weeks-months

No limit

N/A

8%-10% in fees

7

BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS Equity

Individuals invest in return for company share

Up to $1.07 Million

Weeks-months

N/A

3%-6% in fees, plus $10K-$100K in professional fees

Backers provide loans in exchange for interest

Up to $500K

Weeks-months

Monthly, 6 mo-5 yrs

5%-27%

Debt

Campaign success rates and amount raised vary by category

AT WORK

Building a successful authorized rep program CREATORS SYNDICATE

them.

—You know your customers are getting good service because you are providing it.

The benefits of a distributor program are: —You get paid upfront, with fewer orders and returns.

—Your rep handles any collection issues.

Make Sure Your Reps Are Independent Contractors.

While you can set guidelines for your reps’ conduct (for example, you can prohibit them from making any statement about your products you haven’t authorized), you cannot — CANNOT — direct and control their activities. That makes them employees, requiring you to withhold taxes from all commissions and other amounts you pay them.

Your reps must be able to set their own hours. Also, repping your products should not be their only job.

If you sense a rep is working full time selling for you, you might ask him or her to form a corporation or limited liability company for their business, as legal entities are generally not considered employees for tax purposes.

Make Sure You Are Not Setting up a Franchise.

If you allow your reps to conduct business under your trademark, or you require them to pay an upfront fee to become your rep, operate within an exclusive territory or comply with detailed rules as to how and when they may sell your products, there’s a risk the Federal Trade Commission may view your rep program as a franchise, requiring you to comply with a complex set of disclosure and other legal requirements.

Make Sure You Are Not Setting up a Network Marketing Program.

If you pay your reps a commission on products

Online advertising?

What’s that?

ADVANCEDMEDIASOLUTIONS.NE T

24.8%

19.9%

Food

Technology

No. of successful campaigns

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0 Design <$1k

In the US, crowdfunding has raised more money every year…and the amount is projected to grow.

1500 USD in Millions

CLIFF ENNICO

they actually sell and you allow them to hire sub-reps and pay them a commission on all sales they generate, you are starting to look like a network marketing program.

The network marketing label is generally bad for branding, as it is associated in the public mind with cheap, shoddy goods and aggressive sales tactics. If not carefully monitored, a network marketing program can degenerate into an illegal pyramid scheme (i.e. your reps will be making more from hiring sub-reps than they do actually selling your products). There’s also a greater chance that a rep will hire sub-reps without making 100 percent sure they are independent contractors.

Watch out for the FTC Endorsements and Testimonials Rule.

There’s a good chance your reps will want to advertise and promote your products on their websites, Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and other social media channels.

In 2009, the FTC adopted a detailed set of rules governing endorsements by consumers, experts, organizations and celebrities.

While intended to apply primarily to professional product reviewers, the FTC guidelines prohibit your reps from promoting your products without disclosing that they receive money or other compensation for doing so.

Make Sure You Don’t Cannibalize More Profitable Distribution Channels.

Finally, keep an eye on your future growth plans. If it becomes possible for you to sell your products to department stores and other big customers through longestablished retail distributors, they will not want to compete with a small army of individuals selling doorto-door or on eBay. They will want you to terminate your rep program, and that won’t be easy or pleasant.

25.8% Fashion

Popular Kickstarter categories since its inception (April 2009 to November 2018)

Is Crowdfunding Right for Your Small Business?

1200 900

1,167

1,038

915

800

Create engaging photos and video

2017

2018

2019

2020

Time to Fund Repayment

Typical Cost (APR)

No limit

Weeks-months

N/A

8%-10% in fees

Individuals invest in return for company share

Up to $1.07 Million

Weeks-months

N/A

3%-6% in fees, plus $10K-$100K in professional fees

Backers provide loans in exchange for interest

Choose the best platform and funding goal

Share your unique story

2016

Amounts

Debt

Technology $100k-$999.9k

Research similar campaigns

300

Backers receive early version of product or other rewards (Ex. Kickstarter, Indiegogo)

Equity

Food $20k-$99.9k

Prepare

Description

Reward-based

Fashion $10k-$19.9k

Tips for crowdfunding success

1,298

What crowdfunding options are available for your business?

Type of Crowdfunding

$1k-$9.9k

600

0

Up to $500K

Monthly, 6 mo-5 yrs

Weeks-months

Pitch

Use your networks: family, friends, community and social media Update your backers frequently

Promote

After the campaign, crowdfunding success creates more benefits.

Strong customer base

Greater publicity

Higher likelihood of external financing

Increased chances of business partnerships

5%-27%

Work with a SCORE mentor to determine if crowdfunding is right for your small business.

Campaign success rates and amount raised vary by category

www.score.org

Sources: https://www.statista.com/outlook/335/109/crowdfunding/united-states#market-revenue https://www.score.org/resource/wheres-money-10-types-small-business-financing-and-how-qualify https://www.kickstarter.com/help/stats https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/288277 https://digital.com/blog/crowdfunding/ https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/rs433-Crowdfunding_RS_CLEARANCE5-5-16cx.pdf

36%

25.8%

24.8%

19.9%

Design

Fashion

Food

Technology

Popular Kickstarter categories since its inception (April 2009 to November 2018)

Three technology challenges for entrepreneurs and how to handle them 5000

No. of successful campaigns

“My wife and I have started a line of all-natural cosmetics. We launched our website a while back, and have received several inquiries from customers who love our products so much they want to become sales representatives for us.

“Both of our mothers were ‘Avon ladies’ when we were children so we know a little bit about how this works.

What are some of the legal issues we will face in setting up a ‘rep’ program similar to Avon’s?”

Back in the day, when the baby boomers were young, every neighborhood had at least one Fuller Brush man or Avon lady selling products door to door in their spare time. Interestingly, the model appears to be coming back with the increasing popularity of social media websites like Facebook and LinkedIn. A lot of companies are looking to pay people for recommending and selling their products to their friends, neighbors, family members and acquaintances, and even established companies have affiliate programs where people can receive commissions for selling the company products on their own website.

Here are some of the legal issues you will need to consider when setting up a rep program: Decide Whether Your Reps Are Agents or Distributors.

There’s a big difference.

An agent generates orders for your products. You fulfill and ship each order and collect the money directly from the customer. Then, every couple of weeks or once each month, you pay your rep a percentage of the sales made each month.

A distributor, on the other hand, buys your products directly from you at a discount and then resells them to the customers.

The benefits of an agent program are: —You know who your customers are and can build a customer list, enabling you to sell more stuff directly to

36% Design

4000

3000

2000

BY BRANDPOINT MEDIA

1000

0

As a small business owner, you face many challenges. From stiff competition for customers to getting your name Tips for crowdfunding success out there in a crowded marketplace and of course, balancing your budget, there’s always something new that needs your attention.

Investing in technology can help alleviate many of the concerns your small business faces, but if not approached properly, a tech investment can open your company up to an entirely After newthe setcampaign, of problems.

With that crowdfunding success benefits. in mind, this creates articlemore takes a strategic look at some of the most common technology problems small business owners face and provides you with tips to tackle them, and get back to running and growing your business to Work with a SCORE to determine if be everything you mentor imagined. crowdfunding is right for your small business.

Challenge 1: Finding the right technology The technology offerings available in today’s market have grown exponentially. That’s good news for your business but it can also make finding the right solution for your needs more challenging.

To solve this problem, focus on tried-and-true methods. Read reviews, pay attention to professional reports and listen to what experts are saying on social media. You can also speak to current and former colleagues to learn more about what types of systems they utilize.

And if you need comprehensive support beyond those options, you can also partner with a technology Design

<$1k

$1k-$9.9k

Fashion

$10k-$19.9k

Food

Technology

$20k-$99.9k

$100k-$999.9k

Research similar campaigns

Choose the best platform and funding goal

Prepare

Share your unique story

Create engaging photos and video

Pitch

Use your networks: family, friends, community and social media Update your backers frequently

Promote

Strong customer base

Greater publicity

Higher likelihood of external financing

Increased chances of business partnerships

www.score.org

Sources:

https://www.statista.com/outlook/335/109/crowdfunding/united-states#market-revenue

https://www.score.org/resource/wheres-money-10-types-small-business-financing-and-how-qualify https://www.kickstarter.com/help/stats

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/288277 https://digital.com/blog/crowdfunding/

https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/rs433-Crowdfunding_RS_CLEARANCE5-5-16cx.pdf

advisor to outfit your business with the appropriate solutions. The right partner prioritizes and determines the necessary solutions that build a foundation for current growth and future innovation. Dell Small Business advisors, for example, are available to answer your questions and offer you advice, no matter the size of your company. Engage the team in a live chat on Dell’s Small Business website to find the right solution for your needs.

Challenge 2: Solving the money issue The financial implication of every decision is always a focal point for any small business, but this is especially true when it comes to your technology spend. After all, as technology improves, businesses need to know they are purchasing tech that will support their needs for as long as possible, helping them to remain relevant. In fact, a recent study from SMB Group found 72 percent of respondents felt that using new technology effectively is key to the company’s survival and growth.

Partnering with an established small business advisor - as discussed above - can deliver on this need, but you can also ensure you’re using the latest tech by opting to utilize leasing solutions. Instead of buying in particular cases, leasing allows you to maintain the competitive advantage cutting-edge technology provides you at a fraction of the cost.

And, when your lease ends, it’s easy to move on to the next solution.

SEE TECH, PAGE 11

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

8

DECEMBER 2018

NEWS

Denham finds water storage sites effort rewarded

BY GLENN KAHL 209 Business Journal

Departing Congressman Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) is seeing his efforts pay off in bringing Washington D.C. Secretaries of the Interior and of the Army to Manteca and the Central Valley for them to see firsthand the dire water storage needs for farms and cities alike, resulting in a $449 million construction grant on the heels of a multi-million-dollar California state grant last summer.

He was asked why he is still so adamant to see the construction of the Sites Reservoir Project that will bring 280 billion gallons of water — enough to serve 6.3 million Californians for one year — specifically bringing more water storage to the Central Valley especially for dry years.

“I made a promise to the voters and we are living up to that,” Denham said.

“Water is our future and I am always going to continue to work for that.”

The Sites Project is being situated on the west side of the Sacramento Valley, some 10 miles west of the rural town of Maxwell in historic Colusa County.

The region has long been considered ideal for offstream water storage since the 1980s in a proposal that has been widely supported by area community leaders, residents and state water managers and agencies from the Bay Area to Southern California.

U.S. Representatives David Valadao, Jim Costa and John Garamendi stood with Denham for the formal announcement

of the Sites Project Construction grant in Maxwell along with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Rickey “RD” James at the future site of the 858,000-acre-foot reservoir.

As a direct result of Denham’s efforts, President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum in October to address hydroelectric relicensing, similar to what is happening at Don Pedro and requiring agencies to consider plans like the Tuolumne River Management Plan developed by the Modesto and Turlock Irrigation Districts “to avoid catastrophic water grabs at the hands of the Sacramento bureaucrats.”

Denham’s New Water Act was signed into law in late October as part of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 to provide financing for water projects throughout the western United States.

That legislation provides financing for water projects throughout the western U.S. including new reservoirs, below ground storage projects, recycling and desalination projects.

The law is also in support of large projects like enlargement of Shasta Dam, construction Sites Reservoir and Temperance Flat dam and the expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir.

Additionally, Denham passed an amendment through the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year to stop Sacramento’s

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

The recently approved Sites Reservoir Project with its 850,000-acre feet of capacity will be able to serve 2.1 million families, businesses and farms in one year and is located 10 miles west of the historic Colusa town of Maxwell, west of Sacramento. The benefits of the Sites Reservoir Project reportedly outweigh the costs by a wide margin.

planned water grab by prohibiting federal agencies from participating in the state’s plan to deplete the federally owned New Melones Reservoir that provides water to the Central Valley.

California has two main sources of water with surface water coming from rivers, lakes and streams and groundwater coming from underground aqui-

fers. Other sources include desalination and recycled water, providing a smaller amount for water needs locally.

The state’s primary surface water system is comprised of the State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project. Surface water is captured and stored in reservoirs and later released downstream to meet water supply, flood

control, water quality and environmental needs.

The California Water Commission voted July 1 to award the Sites Project $816 million in state funding to provide environmental benefits for refuge water supplies, Delta Smelt, recreational opportunities and localized flood control. In addition, the Water Commission agreed to provide $40.8 million in

early funding to assist in completing he necessary environmental analyses and obtaining required permits.

“Sites is a smart and long overdue investment for California,” said Sites Project Authority Chairman Fritz Durst. Funding from the state unlocked the millions more available in federal funding, he added.

Development center helping small businesses grow and thrive

BY MARG JACKSON 209 Business Journal

With offices in Modesto and Merced, the Valley Sierra Small Business Development Center is, literally, in the business of helping businesses.

The goal of the organization is to work with small businesses and entrepreneurs with a concentration in promoting those businesses to help them grow and succeed.

Serving as Director is Katy Winders, named to that position earlier this year after having spent four years with the organization.

“It’s about economic development, helping our communities,” Winders said. “We are federally funded, non-profit. We of-

SABRA STAFFORD/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

The Valley Sierra Small Business Development Center hosted the Business Women’s Symposium, which featured Save Mart CEO Nicole Pesco as the keynote speaker.

fer two main things; no cost consulting for businesses and we also offer trainings that include events like our

recent Business Women’s Symposium.”

That symposium, in November, brought together

some high-powered local businesswomen to share their experiences and offer insight and guidance to attendees.

“It was our fourth year,” Winders added of hosting the symposium geared specifically toward women in business. “The goal is to inspire, educate and promote professional growth.”

In tallying up results from a survey regarding the symposium, Winders said 97 percent of the attendees said they would come back again.

“It was very positive feedback, it was exceptional,” Winders said.

The symposium featured three keynote speakers touching on topics including personal branding and SEE VALLEY, PAGE 11

CAREERS.COM

FOR JOB SEEKERS & EMPLOYERS

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

9

NEWS

New additions, changes coming to Turlock Town Center

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

Several Turlock Town Center businesses are on the move as the location prepares to welcome its first grocery store since Albertson’s left over 10 years ago.

The current Rite Aid location in the Turlock Town Center, located on Golden State Boulevard at its intersections with Geer Road and Canal Drive, is looking to downsize according to real estate agent Tim Moody of Meridian Pacific, Ltd., and will be moving into the spaces currently occupied by Rainbow Fabrics, Klassy Kuts and Goodwill.

The three businesses will move to the north end of the shopping center, and in Rite Aid’s place will be the newest addition to the center — a Smart & Final Extra!, described by the company as an upscale version of the Smart & Final warehouse stores. According Smart & Final, the Extra!

Store combines the highquality, fresh produce of a farmer’s market, the low prices of a discount grocer and the large club size products of the company’s

traditional stores.

“Smart & Final really likes the site because of all the residential areas around it, and the fact that there’s no grocery stores in the immediate area,” Moody said, whose real estate agency purchased the Turlock Town Center in October of this year. “They consider themselves a miniature Costco.”

The changes to the center will include a complete rebuild of the new Rite Aid location, Moody said, which is expected to be completed in early 2019.

New paint throughout the center will accompany the newly-constructed portion of retail space, he added, in order to make the space appealing to potential tenants.

The occupancy rate of the Turlock Town Center will be 95 percent once the current changes are complete, Moody said — only three small spaces and a commercial pad will be available come 2019. Meridian Pacific is no stranger to revitalizing shopping centers, taking a shopping center in Modesto from 25 percent occupancy to 95 percent. The group brought

ANGELINA MARTIN/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

Smart & Final Extra! will be coming to the Turlock Town Center within the next year, and is described by realtor Tim Moody as a “miniature Costco.”

a Smart & Final Extra! to that space as well.

Turlock’s Smart & Final Extra! will be completed in about a year, he added.

“The price points are slightly above Costco, but

they have a lot of the neighborhood grocery items as well,” Moody said. “It will probably be a year before they move in, because our first move is to move tenants out of the way of the

Century Center in Modesto has new owner STAFF REPORTS 209 Business Journal

Somera Road, Inc., a New Yorkbased commercial real estate firm, announced in November its purchase of Century Center, a 214,389-square-foot retail center in Modesto. In partnership with local investment firm, Graceada Partners, LLC, this is Somera Road’s first acquisition in California. Somera plans to inject $3 million towards capital improvements to create a modernized shopping destination for the community.

“Century Center represents an excellent opportunity,” remarked Jonathon Reeser, VP of Acquisitions, Somera Road. “We are committed to property investment and active management that will revitalize the center. This commitment will attract complimentary tenants that will be additive to the surrounding community and join an already strong tenant base.”

Working alongside Graceada, Somera Road plans to reinvigorate the center by improving parking, updating signage and installing a more modern, welcoming façade.

Ryan Swehla of Graceada Partners added, “We are already fielding inquiries from tenants looking to take space at Century Center--we are excited for what’s to come for this neighborhood.”

Situated in the heart of East Modesto, Century Center has been a shopping destination in the city since 1979. “Somera is actively

seeking value-add, distressed and opportunistic investments across the U.S.,” noted Reeser. “As always, our focus is on real estate that has the capability to revitalize a community and we couldn’t be happier to spread our reach out west.”

Somera Road, Inc. is a New York-based commercial real estate investment firm focused on valueadd and opportunistic transactions across all asset classes and geographies. Somera targets offmarket acquisitions previously impaired by some form of distress, such as loan defaults, partnership disputes, and bankruptcy, that are often overlooked by larger institutional investors. Somera takes an entrepreneurial and methodical approach to identifying off-market real estate opportunities and generating above-market returns for its investors. With a disciplined and aggressive approach, Somera drives value through strategic asset re-positionings, targeted capital improvement plans, and best-in-class, hands-on asset management. Since its inception, Somera has acquired over $600 million in real estate and currently manages a portfolio of approximately 6.0 million square feet, spread across 20 cities.

NOW AVAILABLE

@209magazine

We’ve got the 209 covered.

2 0 9 M A G A Z I N E . C O M

new Rite Aid, build the Rite Aid space, move them over and then do the inside work for Smart & Final.”

Turlockers can expect to see the Turlock Town Center continue to fill with new

businesses.

“We’ll continue to upgrade the tenant mix and make property investments to make the center more attractive to the community,” Moody said.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

10

DECEMBER 2018

NEWS

Merced County to make decision on Hilmar apartments

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Lathrop is considering a Tru by Hilton hotel.

Lathrop to mull proposal for new Hilton hotel

BY JASON CAMPBELL 209 Business Journal

There could be a new hotel on the horizon for Lathrop, if the Lathrop Planning Commission signs off on the proposal.

The commission is slated to consider a resolution approving a site plan review for Tru by Hilton — a 38,660 square-foot hotel in a 1.3-acre lot that will feature 79 rooms.

Located between Harlan Road and E. Louise Avenue and surrounding by existing commercial development, the four-story hotel would include rooms with 40 king-size beds, 32 double queen-size beds, four wheelchair-accessible king-size beds, and three wheelchair accessible double queen-size beds.

The hotel will also include a work zone, breakfast corner, dining area, game zone, lounge, a 447 square-foot fitness area and an outdoor patio.

The hotel would be the first Tru by Hilton hotel in California once it’s completed — a subsidiary of the hotel brand that caters to frequent and business travelers. While it’s the first in California, there are many under development throughout the country to cater to the business demographic.

Primary access to the site will be from Harlan Road, with an additional entry from Louise Avenue on the south. A connection will also be constructed between the Hampton in and the new Tru by Hilton location, providing easy passthrough for traffic and additional accessibility between the two businesses.

Hampton is also a brand under the Hilton umbrella of hotels.

With 79 rooms and four employees on shift at a time, the hotel should have a total of 83 parking spaces based on the city’s existing

municipal code, but because of space constraints will fall eight short with only 75. Because the same chain what will be neighboring hotels, the city is requesting a reciprocal parking agreement to make up for the shortage, allowing for guests from either to use the shared parking facilities.

The rooms of the hotel will range in size from 222 square-feet for a standard king to 390 square-feet for a double queen spaced out over four stories. The building itself will be 45feet tall, which is consistent with zoning in the Highway Commercial designation.

The hotel that will neighbor it, the Hampton Inn, is 44-feet tall at the parapet.

The primary colors for the building will be black, grey, off-white and blue.

Hilmar community members and a local developer are waiting anxiously for an upcoming Merced County Board of Supervisors decision that will determine whether or not a proposed apartment complex project in the town will move forward.

Over 30 residents of the small town showed up to a Merced County Planning Commission meeting on Oct. 10, speaking out against plans by Turlock-based homebuilder JKB Living to construct a 103-unit apartment complex in the heart of town. The commission heard community concerns with the impact such a complex would have on Hilmar, ultimately voting 4-1 to recommend denying the project.

“Hilmar residents came out in force,” said John Anderson of J.B. Land Use Planning, who has worked with JKB Living President James Brenda on several properties in Ripon, Modesto, Lathrop and now Hilmar. “That was kind of a big deal having that many people in the audience…I’m glad they’re engaged and I’m glad they’re a part of the process.”

In addition to those in attendance at the meeting, close to 1,000 Hilmar residents also signed a petition imploring both the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors to shoot down the Poquito Luxury Apartments, which are advertised by the JKB Living website as a project that will “uniquely blend luxury living” with the recently-constructed Lola Bistro and Event Center, which sits nearby. The vacant lot behind the restaurant used to be a small golf course, but sat abandoned for years before Brenda purchased the property nearly 15 years ago.

JKB Living originally filed an application with the Board of Supervisors in 2015 to construct a senior living complex on the lot, as the Hilmar Community Plan designated the property as such.

After taking into account the lack of immediate medical services in Hilmar, JKB Living decided a senior living complex would not be marketable in the town and applied to modify the town’s general plan to build an apartment complex.

The project, located on the north side of W. First Street, 600 feet east of Lander Avenue, is currently designated as Quasi-Public and Mixed Use, but JKB is proposing to change the designation to Medium Density Residential and the zoning designation to Planned Development.

Hilmar residents are saying “no, thank you,” to the proposal, however.

“We don’t want to change (the plan)

in that spot. We specifically designated it that way because it’s in the center of Hilmar and we want it for our own community,” Hilmar resident Robert Mitchell told the Planning Commission on Oct. 10. “A gated community in there doesn’t add anything to us.”

Community members have specific concerns with the traffic that a new apartment complex would bring to Hilmar, as well as the impact it would have on the town’s schools, which they say already have too many students as it is.

In addition, the Hilmar County Water District says there isn’t enough water in town to support the apartment complex or any other new developments.

Written comments — as well as comments at the public Planning Commission meeting — reflected worries related to traffic delays and congestion, particularly at intersections with Lander Avenue. A traffic impact analysis for the project site states that the apartments would bring an increase in traffic at the nearby intersections of First Street and Ellington Avenue by 24.1 percent and 16.8 percent, respectively.

Residents are looking to alleviate the town’s traffic on Lander Avenue, they said, not add to it. But the impact analysis found that all intersections and roadway segments analyzed are currently operating within acceptable Merced County and Caltrans level of service thresholds.

Additionally, JKB Living would pay a total of $614,292 in Merced County Road Impact Fees.

“I live right here in Hilmar, and I see Lander and First Street several times a day. Our traffic, our infrastructure, it’s just horrible,” Hilmar resident Carl Lasiter told the Planning Commission. “You can take these studies and you can make them say anything you want them to say…but those of us that live with this every day do not need any more traffic.”

Concerns with school capacity were discussed at the Planning Commission meeting as well, and the apartment complex would generate approximately 19 new elementary school students, four middle school students and eight high school students. In accordance with state law, JKB Living would pay Hilmar Unified School District $370,851 in school impact fees.

While Hilmar does not currently have the water infrastructure needed to bring an apartment complex to town, Anderson believes it is a short-term issue that can be resolved before the proposal goes before the Board of Supervisors in early February. The town has two operating SEE HILMAR, PAGE 11

Pacific report, conference looks at region’s wellbeing, workforce skills STAFF REPORTS 209 Business Journal

The economic and social progress of the North San Joaquin Valley was discussed at an annual conference Dec. 4 in Stockton, with a special focus on helping workers gain the skills they need for jobs today and into the future.

This was the fifth year University of the Pacific’s Center for Business and Policy Research has presented the State of the

North San Joaquin Valley Conference. It is the fourth year of using the event to release the North San Joaquin Valley Index to underscore economic and social indicators for San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties.

“The index highlights the emerging and developing economic issues, as well as the economic and demographic outlooks for a three-county region that needs more recognition as

a unique and important place in California,” said Jeffrey Michael, CBPR’s executive director. “The index and the conference are tools for building regional identity and for sparking collaboration on economic development to enhance the quality of life in the region.”

Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs’ keynote address discussed transforming employment opportunities in Stockton and the city’s

Workforce Development Action Plan.

“It is important that we focus and prepare for the changing trends in our economic future,” Tubbs said.

“We must situate Stockton and our greater region to build upon local advantages such as our port, our proximity to the Bay Area and our easy access to major transportation routes, all while providing our community with tools needed to fulfill the high-

skilled jobs of tomorrow.”

Finding skilled workers is a major concern of small business owners, according to a CBPR survey. A panel discussion on “Transforming Skills Ecosystems in the NSJV” followed the keynote address.

“This three-county region faces a multitude of challenges as well as opportunities to transform its skills ecosystem and make sure there are more skilled workers,” said Thomas

Pogue, CBPR’s associated director, who moderated the expert panel. That panel will include Linda Bidrossian, senior vice president of the Bay Area Council; Robert Tibbs, founder and CEO of ConSol-USA; and Ann Rogan, FUSE executive fellow in the mayor’s office.

JP Morgan Chace and Co., Pacific Gas and Electric and San Joaquin Council of Governments cosponsored the event.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

11

NEWS

Union challenges Manteca’s approval for e-commerce building

BY DENNIS WYATT 209 Business Journal

An e-commerce facility may be coming to Manteca.

It is the subject of a move by one of the nation’s largest construction labor unions challenging whether Manteca did an adequate environmental review for a 746,740-square-foot concrete tilt-up building on North Airport Way proposed between 5.11 Tactical and the Penske operation that serves as Lowe’s Northern California distribution center.

The Laborers’ International Union of North America has appealed a 5-0 Planning Commission decision made on Sept. 25 to let the project proceed.

The City Council will consider the appeal, though staff has recommended they deny it.

VALLEY

FROM PAGE 8

how to present yourself in person and digitally; a discussion regarding how women need to work together and support each other; and a focus on advancement in the workplace, how to move from lower wage jobs as women into positions in management.

Claudia Newcorn, who serves as the lead marketing consultant for SBDC, was one of the keynote speakers and tackled the topic of ‘branding’ that is crucial in today’s business world.

“We felt women needed the opportunity to come and be inspired by other women,” Newcorn explained of the reasoning behind the Business Women’s Symposium, noting that other events seemed geared toward men or mixed gender audiences. “We weren’t sure how it was going to go but it blew up, it sells out ev-

subscribe

It is not unusual for the 500,000 member union — that strives to try and make sure new private sector construction projects pay union wages — to appeal EIR decisions. It used the same tactic in August to try and stop a 300-unit apartment project in Sacramento’s South Natomas area.

An overall master plan with an accompanying environmental impact report was certified by the City Council on Nov. 2, 2010 for the 300.3-acre CenterPoint project.

The union contends the project as proposed will have many significant environmental impacts that were not analyzed in the 2010 EIR. They also argue that the 2010 EIR did not analyze the current project as presented and that there are many mitigation measures that are now feasible ery year.”

She added that there are “tangible results” coming out of the symposium, with survey feedback indicating that the information and networking are well worth the investment in attending.

While the annual Business Women’s Symposium is one of the most popular events, there are also other ways they work with businesses throughout the region.

Among them is the vast array of consultants – more than 30 – available to assist business owners at all levels.

“Say if someone has an invention, we have an inventor on staff to help walk them through the process,” Winders said.

“We have a social media expert; we have an HR rep that can help in writing an employee handbook.”

Whatever questions need to be answered, whatever assistance is needed, it’s likely the SBDC can help.

“Stanislaus, Tuolumne,

that weren’t eight years ago.

Staff counters that none of the union’s arguments are valid and that a 2017 addendum to the original California Environmental Quality Act EIR that addressed a proposed ecommerce distribution facility and associated improvements at the time for the CenterPoint Business Park project was found to be similar to — or lesser in significance than — the distribution facility now being pursued.

There were 7,200 average daily vehicle trips — autos and trucks — in October 2017 along Airport Way north of Daisywood Avenue that provides the western access to Del Webb at Woodbridge.

The distribution center moving forward when it is fully utilized will add 5,192 Merced and Mariposa, we serve those four counties,” Winders explained. “We walk people through what they need to start a business. For those that are already in business we offer them marketing help, aid in creating a strategic plan, work on financing assistance.”

“The Small Business Development Center works literally with hundreds of companies every year,” Newcorn added. “We are the best kept secret out there.”

Information is available at valleysierrasbdc.com, including a list of consultants, upcoming events, how to access services and more.

“We have a lot of success stories,” Newcorn said.

“We help companies grow and thrive.”

The Modesto office is at 1625 I St., Modesto; 209422-6416; the Merced office is at 1735 M St., Suite 111, Merced; 209-3861008.

average daily trips (ADT) to that total. When combined with the ultimate traffic impact of the 5.11 Tactical distribution center (2,817 ADT) to the south and Penske/Lowe’s distribution center (3,838 ADT) to the north, traffic on Airport Way north of Daisywood will eventually increase 11,847 ADT or 165 percent to 19,047 ADT based on a traffic consultant’s analysis.

A tenant for the proposed 746,790-square-foot distribution center hasn’t been announced, but it is clear from the analysis that the user Center Point is courting will generate almost as much truck traffic that 5.11 Tactical and Lowe’s will create when the respective distribution centers are operating at 100 percent capacity.

The 746,790-sqwuare-

foot building will face the Lovelace Road intersection at Airport Way. The generation of 11,897 ADT from the three buildings represents complete buildout of just those three building at 100 percent utilization. That means 5.11 Tactical that is now 404,657 square feet would be expanded to 539,057 square feet and the Penske/Lowe’s building from 551,475 square feet to 1,199,997 square feet. Altogether the three buildings would represent 2.34 million square feet.

Under the approved business park plans at least an additional 760,000 square feet of distribution center space can be built. The traffic count for that additional space is unknown as a tenant has yet to be secured to justify construction.

Center Point is also de-

HILMAR

FROM PAGE 10

wells, and would need to add a third in order for more development to occur.

Supervisor Lloyd Parreira, who represents Hilmar on the Board, said he imagines the water issue can be resolved, but as long as the community is opposed to the apartment complex JKB Living has an uphill climb.

“The opponents of this project have done their homework, and really it’s evident that the community doesn’t necessarily want it,” Parreira said. “As Supervisor for Hilmar, my responsibility is to help Hilmar do what Hilmar wants.”

“Lloyd told us from the beginning that we would need to get the community behind the apartment project, and we haven’t been able to do that,” Anderson said. “Is it needed? Yeah. Is it the right site? By many means it’s the right site. Does Hilmar want apartments? Obviously, they don’t.”

Parreira is only in his second year as Supervisor and said that he hasn’t yet made

TECH

FROM PAGE 7 Challenge 3: Integrating a new solution with your existing systems When you add a new employee to your staff there’s always a certain gelling period. The same is true with new technology. It isn’t always a given that a new solution will integrate with your older existing systems.

Therefore, this digital

veloping a 6.8-acre shortterm storage lot for containers and trailers that are transferred to and from Union Pacific Railroad flat cars. It will accommodate 153 trailers and containers and will have a private railroad crossing to the UP facility.

Several years ago, Center Point projected they will ultimately invest $175 million in the business park to generate 600 permanent jobs.

Airport Way along Center Point’s property has been widened to three lanes — two south bound lanes, a median and one northbound lane. The second northbound lane under city policy will be added when property bordering the east side of Airport Way is developed.

a decision on a project that the Planning Commission has recommended denying, but said their recommendation “usually plays a pretty big role.”

Anderson said that despite benefits to the project explained by JKB Living, like more visitors to local businesses and expanded living options in town, as well as studies that have negated many of the community’s concerns, the bottom line is that Hilmar residents simply don’t want an apartment complex in town.

“It’s not that they don’t want growth or that they don’t want the investment in their community — it’s that they don’t want apartments,” he said. “There’s a perception that if you allow apartments in, you’re allowing undesirables — whoever that may be — and they’re passionate about it.”

The County will be seeking additional information on Hilmar’s water situation before the proposal moves on to the Board of Supervisors at their Feb. 5 meeting, Anderson added. Until then, JKB Living and the Hilmar community wait in limbo.

“If the Board says no, what will we do? I don’t know,” Anderson said.

transformation challenge is one many small businesses face. According to the same SMB Group study, only 21 percent of small businesses strongly agree that they have a welldefined strategy for digital transformation. To help simplify transformation in your company, Dell business laptops, such as Latitude and Vostro, include a variety of connection ports, enabling them to work with more of your existing systems and streamline your company’s integration

needs as much as possible.

Finding solutions to your small business’s technology needs today In today’s highly competitive market, your small business can’t afford to ignore any potential advantage. While many of these are tied to technology, you don’t have to let concern over making the wrong decision bar you from exploring your options. Apply the tips above and don’t be afraid to seek professional advice. Your business and its tech will be better for it.

The time for digital advertising is NOW. ADVANCEDMEDIASOLUTIONS.NE T

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

12

DECEMBER 2018

ACCOLADES

PROMOTIONS, APPOINTMENTS, HONORS, ETC. Law firm adds new principal attorney

The Stockton law firm of Neumiller & Beardslee is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2019, Ricardo Z. Aranda will become a principal of the firm. Aranda’s practice areas include employment law and litigation. Aranda joined the firm in 2014 and has been practicing law in the Central Valley since being admitted to practice in 2008. He has been practicing a variety of litigation and employment matters for private individuals, businesses, bankruptcy trustees, and public agencies.

Aranda earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in PsycholRicardo Aranda ogy from Stanford University. He received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 2008. While at Hastings, he received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award and the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Administrative Law. Aranda is admitted to practice before all courts in the State of California and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. He is a member of the San Joaquin County Bar Association and is a frequent contributor to its official publication, Across the Bar. Mr. Aranda is a graduate of the 2014-2015 class of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Stockton program. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Judge Consuelo M. Callahan American Inn of Court and on the Executive Board of the Abandoned Cat Team/ACT Spay-Neuter Clinic in Stockton.

CVMG is also pleased to announce James Shiovitz, M.D. was recently named the 2018 Sutter Medical Network Patients’ Choice Award for Family Practice. Dr. Shiovitz has been a CVMG Family Medicine physician since its founding in 1993.

The SMN Patients’ Choice Award recognizes the top primary care physicians in the Central Valley in Family Practice, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Continuing in this great tradition, CVMG has won the Patients’ Choice Award for Family Practice the previous three years: Scott Goodreau, M.D. 2017; Todd Terzo, M.D. 2016; and, Bradley Blankenship, M.D. 2015.

“These honors exemplify the caliber of outstanding doctors within CVMG network of primary care physicians and specialists. These awards show the tremendous care our physicians provide for their patients,” said Bradley Blankenship, CVMG board president and former recipient of the Sutter Medical Network Patients’ Choice Award for Family Practice.

Added Sandra James, CVMG CEO, “These coveted awards really tell the story of patient-centered care within our service area of Stanislaus County. We are thrilled to have such incredible doctors as part of our care teams.”

Local automotive technician receives national award

Scott Spanbauer, an ASE Certified automotive technician from Modesto, was recently honored with a national achievement award as the SpeeDee Oil Change and Auto Service/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year.

Fifty-two automotive professionals were recognized on Nov. 14 at the Fall Board of Governors meeting of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence held at Pier Sixty-Six Hotel and Marina in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Two CVMG Physicians Earn Top Honors

Central Valley Medical Group is thrilled to announce Silvia Diego, M.D. has been honored by the California Medical Association for the prestigious Frederick K. M. Plessner Memorial Award. This award honors the California physician who best exemplifies the ethDr. Silvia Diego ics and practice of a rural country practitioner. This award is known informally as the “Country Doctor Award,” and is a coveted statewide honor. Dr. Diego is a primary care physician with Dr. James Shiovitz Family First Medical Care. She has been with CVMG since 2015.

The ASE annual awards spotlight top scorers on the ASE Certification tests from among the ranks of the approximately quarter million ASE certified professionals nationwide. Jonathan Brown, Franchise Support Director for SpeeDee; Ted Hayes, Chair of the ASE Board of Directors; and Timothy Zilke, ASE President & CEO, presented the award to Spanbauer.

“Scott, who is an auto technician at SpeeDee Oil Change and Auto Service in Turlock, is one of the outstanding ASE certified professionals recognized annually by different segments of the automotive service and repair industry. Each of these

elite technicians is presented with an industry-specific award recognizing their achievement,” said Zilke.

“ASE has honored extraordinary industry professionals from across the nation for more than 40 years,” Zilke continued.

“This is made possible by the support of our many award sponsors, whose ranks include some of the best-known names in the industry. We are proud to partner with SpeeDee to recognize Scott’s commitment to excellence in providing the very best in vehicle repair service to his extended community. This dedication is reflected in the talented professionals we recognize each year and Scott represents the best of the best.”

Forty-one companies from both OEM and Aftermarket segments sponsored the individual technician recognition awards in the Auto, Truck, Collision and Parts categories, along with awards for instructors.

In addition to looking for top scores on ASE tests, award sponsors examine on-the-job excellence, community service and other factors when selecting honorees.

raising money for cancer research – a disease that impacts everyone – on an annual basis,” said Kris Mulkey, VP of Marketing at In-Shape.

“This year we held special group fitness events featuring Master trainers from Les Mills and Keiser. In addition, we held special bootcamps, dance and cycle classes, tennis, racquetball, handball and pickleball tournaments to engage our community and raise additional donations,” she continued.

In-Shape donated $1 for every new member who joined in October and every photo shared on social media with #InShapeFightsCancer for a total of $3,589.

It also sold $45,973 worth of paper kettlebells (in $2, $5, and $10 increments) and hosted 2,756 members and guests for special Fight Cancer donation-based fitness events.

Turlock cheesemakers honored at industry contest

Dairy Farmers of America’s Turlock manufacturing plant was recently awarded a second-place award for its Whole Milk Mozzarella cheese at the 2018 National Milk Producers Federation Championship Cheese Contest held in Phoenix, Ariz.

“It means a lot to be recognized by our peers for delivering great-tasting products,” says Doug Glade, executive vice president of commercial operations, DFA. “As a cooperative, we’re committed to providing the highest quality that our customers and consumers demand and deserve.”

Cooperatives from across the country take part in the annual contest to showcase their top products and the people who make them. This year, 230 entries were received from 15-member cooperatives.

DFA received the following awards for its cheese: • 2018 Class Champion (Italian) and First Place —Part Skim Mozzarella, New Wilmington, Pa. • First place—Provolone, New Wilmington, Pa. • First place—Parmesan, Pollock, S.D. • Second place—Whole Milk Mozzarella, Turlock, Calif.

• Third place—Provolone, New Wilmington, Pa. • Fourth place – Sharp Cheddar, Pavilion, N.Y.

In-Shape health clubs raises over $150,000 for cancer research

In-Shape Health Clubs raised $153,500 for cancer research during its annual Fight Cancer campaign – a 15 percent increase on last year’s record-breaking campaign.

Funds will go to the American Cancer Society and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“The Fight Cancer campaign is a way for us to say Thank You to our community by

The time for digital advertising is NOW. ADVANCEDMEDIASOLUTIONS.NE T

In-Shape created Fight Cancer retail, like t-shirts, tank tops, coffee mugs, and hats, selling a total of 4,468 items with 20% of the proceeds benefitting the campaign.

In-Shape encouraged its littlest members to get involved by purchasing and then coloring a special card in the Kid Zone that was sent to the children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Over 3,500 cards were purchased.

As part of the campaign, In-Shape was the flagship sponsor of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events in Modesto and Bakersfield. Over 200 In-Shape team members participated in the walks.

This year many of the In-Shape business partners generously donated to the campaign and participated alongside InShape team members in events. Participating partners included Les Mills, Matrix, Precor, Motionsoft, Petra-1, Hillyard, Keiser and Impendi Analytics.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the support our members, our communities, and our business partners showed the campaign.

We are so grateful and inspired not only by their donations, but by their active participation in our fundraising events. It shows just how far the In-Shape community extends – beyond the four walls of our clubs to include business partners, extended family and friends, and co-workers. We couldn’t have done this without them,” said Francesca Schuler, CEO of In-Shape Health Clubs.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

13

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

14

209 Magazine and

THE FRUIT YARD AMPHITHEATER presents the

DECEMBER 2018

NOBODY OFFERS MORE DISCOUNTS THAN FARMERS ■ Evening appointments ■ Monthly payment plans ■ More options. More discounts.

Monica Perez Your Local Agent CA License # 0K81210 2119 PATTERSON RD STE 13 RIVERBANK, CA 95367

MPEREZ@FARMERSAGENT.COM

Call 209.213.7913 today!

For Home, Auto, Life and Business.

Restrictions apply. Discounts may vary. Not available in all states. See your agent for details.

Insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange and other affiliated insurance companies. Visit farmers.com for a complete listing of companies. Not all insurers are authorized to provide insurance in all states. Coverage is not available in all states.

COME SEE US AT OUR NEW BRANCH & MEET OUR TEAM.

GREAT PROGRAMS WE OFFER

Save the Date Sunday, April 28th, 2019 • 1 – 5pm

• Jumbo Loan Products • Low Downpayment Loans • Reverse Mortgages • Bank Statement Programs for Self Employed • Construction Financing • Licensed in 45 States

C O N TA C T M E T O D AY.

Spend an afternoon sampling food, wine, and craft beers from the 209 finest restaurants, wineries and breweries in the beautiful new outdoor amphitheater at the Fruit Yard. Live music will be performed by well-known local artist Alex Lucero

BRANDI ELGEN

Raffle prizes and premier silent auction all benefiting the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

SERVING CALIFORNIA

For Vendor and Sponsorship Opportunities Call Taste of the 209 Coordinator Jennifer Webber @

209-249-3550

NMLS #1213496

BRANCH MANAGER 3001 Coffee Road Ste. 1 Modesto, Ca 95355

p: 209.872.5418 belgen@s1lending.com

Synergy One Lending Inc. NMLS 1025894. 3131 Camino Del Rio N., Suite 190, San Diego, CA 92108.

Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act – California License 4131356. Branch Address: 3001 Coffee Road Ste. 1 | Modeesto, CA 95355

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

15

16

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

DECEMBER 2018

THE COMMUNITY THAT GROWS TOGETHER, THRIVES TOGETHER. At Kaiser Permanente, we don’t see health as an industry. We see it as a cause. That’s why we’re excited to be a part of the Central Valley. Our doors, hearts and minds are always open to help every last one of you thrive. Learn more at kp.org/centralvalley.

Must meet guidelines , and be a new or active business. Subject to broker approval.

Your participation in the ITEX Marketplace will connect you to an entirely new group of customers. Our local ITEX office will assist you in acquiring and spending your ITEX Dollars to help strengthen your business.

Join thousands of businesses that have discovered the benefits of bartering since 1982

Berkey A franchisee of ITEX Corp PO Box 1372 Riverbank, CA 95367