SCV Business Journal October 2023

Maureen Daniels

Jennifer Ramos

Barbara Ward

Strategy Ten: Engage the Disengaged

KEN KELLER SCVBJ Contributing Writer

For decades the Gallup Organization has measured and published data about employee engagement. Gallup defines employee engagement as the involvement and enthusiasm of employees in their work and workplace.

The May 2023 survey shows that 34% of U.S. employees are actively engaged. These individuals are loyal, productive, and hardworking. At the opposite end of the spectrum are the actively disengaged, representing 16% of employees. These individuals are unhappy and spread their unhappiness to others. In the middle, representing the balance of employees, or 50%, are the disengaged.

If you desire to have a successful, growing company, focus on removing the actively disengaged (I call them “internal terrorists”) and you need to convert as many disengaged employees as possible so that they become actively engaged.

For years I thought of disengaged employees as (my words) clock watchers, lazy, lacking initiative and just in it for the paycheck and benefits. These employees often stay with their employer because they are comfortable, not challenged and have supervisors too apathetic to do the necessary paperwork (performance appraisals and performance improvement plans) and also not willing to have the tough conversations (not just one, but as many as it takes) to create motivation to clarify expectations and improve employee performance, both short and long term.

What will make a difference, what can you do to convert the disengaged to engaged? As the CEO, understand that engagement is based on two critical components. The first is to have a work environment “where people like me can succeed.” The second is “being able to contribute my unique skills and talents.”

Your disengaged employees do have strengths that can help the company. Here are four areas where perceived weaknesses (or from the CEOs point of

view, areas of frustration) can be seen through a different prism.

Slow Means Thorough. A slow employee may be worried that they’ll get it wrong if they do things quickly. Having their manager on their case about getting things done faster might make the situation worse. Take time to find ways to make your processes more efficient and appreciate that your slower-moving employees are taking time to do things right.

Complaints Means Open and Aware No one likes complainers and they can be hard to deal with, but these employees are not hiding their discontent and when questioned, can give insight that other people are not seeing. Give these individuals some responsibility over the problems they recognize and let them be actively involved in creating solutions.

Distracted Means Creative. Creative people often get distracted because they have so many ideas running through their brains. Ask these individuals for deeper insight and more focused input

and give them creative leeway. Set up a buddy system to keep them on track and share the results of their creativity to boost their recognition and morale.

Bored Means Learns Quickly. A bored employee is often one with not enough to do, not enough responsibility or not enough challenge. Or all three. This is great news for someone running a growing company. These individuals are quick learners and often, high achievers. Give them more of what they need and see what great contributors they can become.

Ken Keller is an executive coach who works with small and midsize B2B company owners, CEOs and entrepreneurs. He facilitates formal top executive peer groups for business expansion, including revenue growth, improved internal efficiencies and greater profitability. Email: Ken.Keller@ strategicadvisoryboards.com. Keller’s column reflects his own views and not necessarily those of the SCVBJ. 

To have a successful, growing company, focus on removing the actively disengaged.

What to Know About the BA.2.86 COVID Variant

PATRICK MOODY Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

Anew COVID-19 variant has caught the attention of scientists — and the media. If you’ve read about the BA.2.86 variant (nicknamed the Pirola variant), you might be wondering what it could mean for you.

Here’s what we know so far, based on information from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other experts.

WHAT IS THE BA.2.86 VARIANT?

BA.2.86, sometimes called the Pirola variant, is a subvariant of Omicron. The variant has been detected in countries around the world, including the United States.

BA.2.86 is not one of the dominant variants right now. The rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations since August is actually caused by XBB variants.

WHY THE INTEREST?

All viruses change over time. Those changes can lead to differences in how the virus spreads — or how well vaccines and treatments work.

The BA.2.86 variant has more changes than most recent subvariants. It has about as many changes as the initial Omicron (BA.1) had from the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant. So the CDC and other health organizations are watching to see how BA.2.86 spreads and whether it is more likely to make people very sick.

IS BA.2.86 MORE DANGEROUS THAN OTHER VARIANTS?

The variant is new, and scientists are still learning about it. So far, the news is good: BA.2.86 does not appear to cause more serious illness than other recent variants. Current treatments are working well against BA.2.86. And COVID-19 tests work to detect it.

ARE THE NEW VACCINES EFFECTIVE AGAINST BA.2.86?

The updated vaccines are designed to protect people from the newer variants of COVID-19. That includes the variants that are spreading in the United States this fall.

We are still learning more about BA.2.86 and the new vaccines. But early research suggests that the updated COVID-19 vaccines will help keep people from getting very sick from the new variant.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM BA.2.86 AND OTHER VARIANTS?

The CDC recommends that almost everyone six months or older get the new COVID-19 vaccine this fall. It can help you avoid getting very sick from BA.2.86 and other COVID-19 variants.

You can also protect yourself and others by:

„ Washing your hands often.

„ Wearing a mask in crowded areas.

„ Staying home when you are sick.

For information about COVID-19 and other health topics, visit library.henrymayo.com. „

Tips on Running a Successful Family Business

BY WILLARD MARSTON For the SCVBJ

Family business is big business. According to the Family Firm Institute, family-owned businesses account for two-thirds of businesses worldwide, making them essential for both economic growth and job creation.

In fact, some of the biggest companies in the world — including Walmart, BMW, Tyson, and Ford — are family-owned businesses, a far cry from the “mom and pop” corner stores many associate with family-run companies.

While family businesses may be a major economic driver, only a mere 30% endure into a second generation, 12% last into a third generation, and just 3% make it to the fourth generation.

What’s the secret to a successful familyrun business? We’ve rounded up eight tips to ensure your family business, or the one you may be working for, endures through the generations.

Communicate

Families have their own way of communicating, and, as many family therapists will tell you, it is not always the best way. Defy convention and make open, regular communication an essential part of your family business. When you sense communication problems, confront them immediately. Larger issues at play? Bring in an outside consultant.

Evolve

When it comes to longevity, and the success that comes with it, changing with the times is essential for any business, especially multigenerational family businesses. Whether it is an aversion to new technology or resistance to changing cultural norms, a family-run business—and the people behind it, regardless of age—must evolve or risk alienating both employees and customers.

Set Boundaries

Leaders of flourishing family-owned businesses know that setting boundaries is critical to establishing and maintaining success. Institute and uphold a clear separation between family and business. In other words, keep family issues out of the boardroom, and keep work at the office.

Practice Good Governance

Setting boundaries also extends to the governance of familyrun companies. Good governance requires the involvement of leaders outside the family. This oversight— employed by leading family businesses worldwide—typically takes the shape of a professional, advisory, or supervisory board comprised of non-family members with a limited number of family representatives.

Recruit From the Outside

Just as it is crucial to establish governance with non-family members at the helm, it is essential to recruit outside your family for both staff and leadership positions. There is a world of talent out there. Successful family companies tap into this talent pool for skills and expertise family members don’t have.

Treat Employees Like Family

Successful family-owned businesses treat everyone as family, whether they are relatives or not. This practice often extends to customers as well. Employed by recreational vehicle manufacturer Jayco, family-run for more than 40 years, this tactic of “redefining family” encourages staff and leadership “to raise the bar as far as value offered,” explains Jayco

CEO Derald Bontrager. Instead of relying on industry standards, “you must instead ask yourself, ‘Is this what I would do if it were one of my siblings

Make It Optional

A good family business doesn’t strongarm or guilt relatives into joining the business. It makes working for the company optional. Any company, family-run or otherwise, needs employees who are passionate about both the corporation and their role within it. Allowing family to come to the company on their own leads to happier employees and better business.

Plan For the Future

Successful family businesses don’t just let the chips fall where they may. They plan for the future, creating family business succession plans long before they actually need them. They also identify talent in employees, both within and outside of the family, investing in them early on to ensure excellent leadership in the future. 

Regular, open communication with your family is as important as treating employees like family.

Skyline Smiles of Santa Clarita

Dr. Harleen Grewal offers not just a dental appointment, but an ‘Elevated Dental Experience.’

Imagine what a stressful time going to the dentist can be for some — maybe even most — children. They are nervous, anxious. They fidget. They might be afraid of needles, and they most certainly are afraid of pain. Yet they have to spend a long time lying back while remaining very still on a surgical-looking, cold dental chair with their mouth kept open the whole time, while an adult whom they may not know at all, or rarely ever see, pokes and drills and pulls on their teeth with scary looking implements, sometimes making their gums bleed and sending unpleasant shocks through nerves.

Cringe!

The mere thought of such an experience — despite the numbing — is enough to make any child want to run out of the dentist’s office screaming! Or …

Imagine the same inevitable dentist’s appointment — which, after all, is for the child’s own good — but, up above the child’s head, mounted on the ceiling, strategically in their line of sight, there is a TV monitor where the child’s attention can focus, and their imagination can soar without a care as they watch cartoons or a favorite movie while their mouth is being worked on. But that’s not all: The child can choose the color light that surrounds the monitor in their favorite hue to help them relax even more, and a nurse gently places Skullcandy headphones on them to block out all the sensory noise of the dental ma-

chines from their little ears.

With such a relaxing — some might even say fun — experience, you might have that kid actually WANTING to come back to the dentist! And they are more likely to be receptive and attentive when, after the dental treatment experience is over, the nurse or doctor explains to them the importance of aftercare through proper brushing and flossing techniques using a smiling 3-D Baby Shark model with teeth, or some other such fun character kids can relate to.

Far from feeling helpless and fearful, “They’re in control for most of the appointment and visit,” says the Mary Poppinslike genius behind Skyline Smiles, the place where this type of magic happens: Dr. Harleen Grewal, DDS, who is affectionately known to her patients as “Dr. Harleen.”

“I want them to feel like they’re the most important person in the room and that’s what me and my staff strive for,” she says in a video on the SkylineSmile.com home page.

And that does not apply just to kids, either. “Even though I’m a pediatric dentist, we do service adults as well,” Dr. Grewal says, understating the fact that she and her staff strive to provide the utmost quality of care to every patient that walks through the doors of Skyline Smiles. “It’s not just a dental appointment, it’s a positive experience,” she says.

About The Doctor and Her Practice

Dr. Harleen Grewal brings years of experience and an exceptional chairside manner to her practice in Santa

Clarita. Her office, at 28532 La Madrid Drive, Suite B, in Plum Canyon’s Skyline Ranch Plaza, is open, bright, high-tech, but also calming, she says, “an elevated dental experience” that allows patients to leave with a happy smile.

The good doctor received her DDS degree from the University of Southern California, where she made the dean’s list, and completed her Residency and received her Specialty Certificate in Pedi-

atric Dentistry from Lutheran Medical Center in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

She has volunteered at USC’s Mobile Clinic in Los Angeles, helping to provide free oral services for children through the ADA Foundation’s Give Kids A Smile® program. She is a proud member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

See SMILES, page 17

New Sandwich Shop, Seafood Spot, Dentist on the Way

DEVELOPING STORIES

BY PERRY SMITH SCV Business Journal Editor

While the city of Santa Clarita’s Planning Division is considering projects that could bring hundreds of apartments to Newhall, there are also a few smaller changes that residents might notice around town, too.

A new seafood spot, a new sandwich shop and a new dental office are the latest additions to the city’s business community, according to Jason Crawford, director of development for the city of Santa Clarita.

The new sandwich spot, Capriotti’s, is an East Coast sandwich shop chain that promises “fanatically delicious” subs and prides itself on the fact that it promises “whole roast turkeys, quality meats and cheeses, and fresh rolls and produce.”

The new locations would be in the space on Sierra Highway that’s anchored by the Stater Bros. supermarket just south of the intersection with Via Princessa in Canyon Country.

There’s currently a restaurant at 27630 The Old Road, which is near the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Another new restaurant coming to the city of Santa Clarita is King of Crab, which is expected to go into the space on Bouquet Canyon Road that was occupied by rapper Blueface’s Blue’s Fish & Soul.

The nearest location for King of Crab is in the San Fernando Valley off Reseda Boulevard. The restaurant’s focus is Cajun-style seafood, and also offers the type of classic soul food sides, such as fried okra, and seafood dishes that were popular at Blue’s.

The third addition to the Santa Clarita business scene is another new tenant, Dr. Conte Dental, for the medical office building on Tourney Road that previously hosted Einstein Academy.

“There’s been a lot of activity there in the last few months,” said Jason Crawford, director of development for the city of Santa Clarita.

Speaking of lots of new developments, the city is expected to review a num-

Plans for a development called Riverview, which is a mixed-use project slated for where the Saugus Swap Meet is, would be part-housing development by Integral, and part-industrial center by Shadowbox. Shadowbox just had a massive project approved by the Santa Clarita City Council for North Newhall/ Placerita Canyon — could be in front of the Planning Commission later this year.

Speaking of Shadowbox, days after the City Council approved the project, the neighboring HOA, the Placerita Canyon Property Owners Association, sent a letter to the city of Santa Clarita threatening a lawsuit over how the environmental review of the project was completed.

Another project slated for near the same area is the Wiley Canyon Project.

The Wiley Canyon Project is a mixeduse nearly 32-acre site located east of Interstate 5 and west of Wiley Canyon Road, between Hawkbryn Avenue and Calgrove Boulevard.

Included in the plans are a 277,000square-foot, four-story senior living facility with 130 independent living units, 61 assisted living units and 26 memory care beds; 379 apartment units, ranging from two to four stories; and nearly 9,000 square feet of commercial space.

There’s also expected to be another review of the ongoing effort by Steve Kim to turn the Sand Canyon Country Club into a four-star destination resort.

The SCV Business Journal has also learned of a number of multifamilyhousing projects that are being looked at for both Newhall Avenue and Sierra Highway, as well as Fambrough Street and Ebelden Avenue.

At both intersections, the city has seen plans by the property owner, a Beverly Hills-based developer, who’s looking to put at least five stories and more than 1,000 units for each project. The Fambrough Street lot is a little over 40 acres and the Sierra Highway properties cover a little over 23 units.

Both are currently being looked at by city planners as being in the pre-application phase of the development, with only generic details being discussed for both at the moment. City officials said they were looking at the legality of the project, which is a situation that’s changed greatly in recent years, as the state has consistently taken away the regulatory capacity of local governments.

“It is a pre-application basically it just sort of holds a place in line for them to put together an actual application to put apartment buildings on that property,” Crawford said.

The applicant is Sotto Capital Group, which is affiliated with HSH Management, which is run by Henry Shahery. As those projects are in the very preliminary phases, it’s unknown when or if, based on current state housing law, the projects might be in front of the city’s Planning Commission or City Council. 

The medical office building on Tourney Road has seen a number of new tenants in recent months and Dr. Conte Dental is the newest addition. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL ber of new developments in the coming months, which could possibly happen in the new year, as well.

Hearing Economics: Costs of Untreated Hearing Loss

DR. KEVIN BOLDER AuD, Audiology Associates

According to a 2011 national study by the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), people with untreated hearing loss lose as much as $30,000 in annual income. As a result, the cost to US tax payers could be as much as $26 billion in unrealized federal tax collections.

The BHI study included over 40,000 households and showed that the use of hearing aids can reduce the risk of income loss by 90% to 100% for those with milder hearing loss, and from 65% to 77% for those with severe to moderate hearing loss.

The executive director of BHI, Sergel Kochkin, PhD, commented in a press release, “More than 34 million Americans suffer from hearing loss. Roughly 60% of them are in the workforce.

Our study showed that when hearing loss is left unaddressed, it can pose significant barriers to productivity, performance, career success, and also to lifelong earnings.”

There is extensive research concerning the impact of hearing loss on quality of life. When we talk of quality of life, healthy hearing per se is not just to enhance aesthetic pleasure of acoustic sounds in a person’s environment. Indeed, hearing loss has been shown to negatively impact nearly every dimension of the human experience including: physical health, emotional and mental health, perceptions of mental acuity, social skills, family relationships, self-esteem not to mention work and school performance.

The loss in income for people with untreated hearing loss due to underemployment is estimated at $176 billion, according to the BHI

study. The study also showed that there is a strong relationship between the degree of hearing loss and unemployment for those who do not use hearing aids. Those with severe hearing loss had a 15.6% unemployment rate, which is double that of the normal-hearing population (7.8%) and nearly double that of their peers (8.3%) who use hearing aids.

Audiology Associates would like to help if you are experiencing hearing loss. Our audiologists are a great resource for suggestions or information. For any questions or to schedule an appointment with Kevin Bolder, AuD. and John Davis, AuD., please call Audiology Associates, at (661) 284-1900. Visit us at 25425 Orchard Village Road, Ste 220, Santa Clarita, CA 91355 or on our website at www.audiologyassociates. net.

We are Hearing Healthcare Excellence!

Black Business Month Celebration

Our inaugural Black Business Month Celebration was a huge success thanks to our sponsors, attendees and steering committee. We thank California Institute of the Arts for being our Title Sponsor and all our other generous sponsors. If you would like to find out more about our Black Business Council or to get involved please email us at hello@scvchamber.com

SCV Chamber Board Chair, Becki Robb from Princess Cruises congratulates David Heredia from Heros of Color on his award.

Photo credit: Jason Case Media

SCV Chamber Black Business Council Chair, Di Thompson from Thompson Realty Advisors congratulates Dr. Izu Okpara from Omni Wound Physicians on his award.

Photo credit: Jason Case Media

Terrell Edwards performs at our Black Business Month Celebration. Photo credit: Jason Case Media

URGE GOV. NEWSOM TO VETO SENATE BILL 799

The SCV Chamber is part of a broad coalition of more than 110 businesses, associations, and local chambers of commerce in urging the Governor to veto a job killer bill, SB 799 (Portantino), that in effect requires employers to subsidize striking workers at unrelated businesses.

By forcing employers to pay unemployment insurance (UI) payments to striking workers, SB 799 would also raise taxes on employers across California, overturn more than 70 years of precedent, and put California’s UI program at risk of violating federal law.

The UI Fund from which payments to UI claimants are made is paid for entirely by employers. UI payments are intended to assist employees who, through no fault of their own, are forced to leave their employment.

In seeking the veto, the coalition points out that UI claimants are paid from their former employer’s reserve account in the UI Fund. In other words, each employer is incentivized to minimize turnover in their workforce because they pay for any individuals whom they terminate that end up seeking UI benefits — and employees who lose employment through no fault of their own are assisted in their transition to other work.

If the fund becomes insolvent, all employers face steadily increasing UI taxes. These taxes increase by $21 per employee per year, until they reach a maximum of $434 per employee.

The California fund is in historic debt — approximately $18 billion — due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent statewide shutdown. As a result, California employers already are paying increased UI taxes pursuant to federal law and are likely to face ongoing tax increases until approximately 2032.

SB 799 would give striking workers the ability to claim unemployment after two weeks of striking, thereby adding the cost of those benefits to California’s outstanding $18 billion in federal loans. Although the amount that such strikes would add to the UI Fund debt is hard to calculate specifically — due to uncertainty as to how many strikes occur, how long they last, and how many workers take part – it is undeniable that SB 799 would add more debt to the state’s federal loans.

SB 799 fundamentally alters the nature of UI by providing UI benefits to workers who still have a job and have chosen to temporarily refuse to work as a negotiating tactic. Striking is a federally protected right and historically has been a key strategy in labor disputes. But being on strike is not the same as being terminated.

The Voice of Business

STATE INSURERS STRIKE A DEAL

Last week, home insurers in California struck a deal to return to fire zones and provide new coverage in the state. Many of the top home insurers removed themselves from the state market this summer. State lawmakers were unable to make a deal and introduce a bill before the close of session.

Under Lara’s plan, wildfire insurance companies operating in California must increase their presence in disaster-prone areas to at least 85% of their market share in other parts of the state. They must also cover policyholders from the state’s last-resort FAIR Plan, which offers basic fire protection for high-risk properties. Lastly, companies will be allowed to consider forward-looking catastrophe modeling and reinsurance costs when they set rates. Catastrophe modeling standards are still being developed.

Business Impact

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara struck a deal with insurers to make it easier to increase rates through the state regulator more quickly. In the deal, changes are slated to go into effect by the end of 2024. Insurers such as State Farm, USAA and Allstate have requests for rate increases pending and are requesting hikes of 28.1%, 30.6%, and 39.6%, respectively. If approved, each company would be allowed to raise its total premiums in the state by the requested amount, but the rate increase can be distributed differently among homeowners.

The SCV Chamber has been advocating on this matter and is supportive of these efforts and looks forward to seeing insurers return to the state’s market.

FINAL SCV CHAMBER GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COUNCIL MEETING OF 2023

Our Government Affairs Council meets every second Wednesday of the month, from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM and is open to all SCV Chamber members. The final GAC meeting 0f 2023 will be on October 11th. Please email hello@scvchamber.com or visit www.scvchamber.com if you have any questions or need further information.

The SCV Chamber successfully works on behalf of its members to maintain a healthy and vibrant business climate in what has been ranked one of the most business friendly cities in California. The Chamber takes an active role in shaping legislative policies in support of business. We represent our members and provide a forum for our members to develop policy positions that directly impact the Santa Clarita Valley business community.

Celebrating SCV Businesses

From celebrating new businesses opening or marking special occasions and achievements, we continue to be honored being part of your celebrations.

We encourage everyone to come and support our new businesses. All our grand opening/ribbon cuttings are free and open to everyone to attend.

Congratulations to Los Angeles Cancer Network on your grand opening and celebration in September! Find out more at www. lacancernetwork.com. Thank you to all that came to support them!

Please join us at our upcoming grand opening at Valley Breast Care and welcome them to our community.

Do you have a grand opening or anniversary coming up? Email us at hello@scvchamber.com for details about hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Photo credit: Joie de Vivre Photographie

Councilmember Bill Miranda congratulates leadership of LA Cancer Network on their grand opening in September.

Photo credit: Joie de Vivre Photographie

Charles Navarro, District Director for Congressman Mike Garcia congratulates leadership of LA Cancer Network on their grand opening. Photo credit: Joie de Vivre Photographie

Government Affairs Council

October 11 | 10:30 am

Our Government Affairs Council discusses, reviews and takes action on policy decisions at the local, county, state and federal levels. We work on behalf of our members to maintain a healthy and vibrant business climate in what has been ranked one of the most business friendly cities in California. We take an active role in shaping legislative policies in support of business. The Chamber represents its members before local, regional, state and federal governmental entities and provides a forum for its members to develop policy positions that impact the Santa Clarita Valley business community.

Business After Hours Mixer at Valencia Acura

Ocotber 18 | 5:30 pm

It’s going to be another amazing Acura mixer in October!

Join us for one of the hottest networking mixers of the year with our friends at Acura. Our business after hours mixers regularly have more than 150 business representatives and community leaders attending. This is your opportunity to make new connections and catch up with friends. Remember to bring your business card for the chance to win some great prizes!

UPCOMING EVENTS

API Council

October 24 | 9am

Join us for our API Council October meeting where we will be joined by SCV Chamber board of directors and our API steering committee members who will talk about the Chamber and Council and address any issues our API businesses are facing in the Santa Clarita Valley.

To find out more information about these events or any other upcoming programming and to register go to:

www.SCVChamber.com/Events

or scan the qr code to the right

Writers’ Strike Impacts County Jobless Rate

BY PERRY SMITH Business Journal Editor

The California Economic Development Department released its monthly look at the state’s data regarding jobs gains and losses, which shows that Santa Clarita’s unemployment rate worsened slightly in August, up three-tenths of a percent.

The writers’ strike was cited as one of the factors as the entertainment and media sector sustained the biggest losses.

“The information sector had the greatest loss, dropping 5,000 jobs,” according to a news release from Robert Lee of the Labor Market Information Division. “Motion picture and sound recording industries subsector lost 5,100 jobs. The Writers Guild of America strike, which began on May 2, 2023, continues to affect the employment levels in this industry.”

The state’s numbers indicate Santa Clarita had a workforce of about 112,900 eligible workers with about 106,900 of them employed, according to the EDD. The data for August indicated the latest unemployment rate for the city is 5.6%, after being 5.3% in July. (Economists often consider an unemployment rate of 5% or less to be full employment.)

There were 6,000 unemployed in July

and 6,400 unemployed in August.

Countywide, Los Angeles’ unemployment rate also slightly worsened in August, going from 5.4% in July or 5.8% in August.

More than a year ago, the unemployment rate was 4.2% in July.

The losses mirrored the statewide numbers, with the rate for all of California moving from full employment in July, 4.8%, to 5.1% in August.

“Government led all industry gainers,

adding 4,400 jobs accounting for 48% of the net gain in nonfarm employment,” according to the state’s data. “Local governments added 5,700, while state and federal governments sustained about 1,300 job losses total.”

The release also noted there were six industry sectors that gained a total of 15,700 jobs, while four sectors lost employment of 7,100 positions — realizing a net month-over gain of 8,600 in nonfarm employment. 

Average Home Price Holds Steady In August

BY PERRY SMITH Business Journal Editor

The region’s leading real estate organization reported that despite a scarce inventory on the market, the single-family home price in the Santa Clarita Valley held steady in this month’s data.

The Southland Regional Association of Realtors provides monthly market data reports and cited a 1.5-month supply on the market, a declining inventory resulted in an overall median price of $765,000 average price for both condos and homes.

The single-family home price stayed steady at around

$840,000 in the SCV, according to a statement issued by Paul Cauchi, president of the SRAR. The SRAR report also notes home values were about the same at this time last year.

“While we’ve witnessed a sharp decline in available listings this August, the resilience of median prices reinforces Santa Clarita Valley’s unique appeal,” Cauchi stated.

The best news for owners was an uptick in the value of condominiums, which “took center stage” for Realtors this month, according to the SRAR, posting a 13% yearover-year increase with a median price of $599,000.

Both Cauchi and Bill Bedgood, SRAR governing board

chair, stressed the need for expert counsel in this nuanced market in the monthly report.

The local experts pointed out another stark aspect about the numbers: Active listings witnessed a steep drop, “tumbling” by 55% in the year-over-year numbers to only 339 homes, according to the SRAR. But it has resulted in homes moving a bit quicker than usual, they added. “As a result,” Cauchi said, “we are seeing a faster-paced market, as homes were snapped up in an average of just 22 days, four days quicker than a year ago.”

Also adding to the inventory issue, new listings in August

numbered 251, a 31% slide from last year.

Bedgood said while sales volumes may be down, the value of an investment in SCV real estate remains clear based on the numbers.

“Despite the leaner inventory, Santa Clarita Valley still stands out as an unparalleled investment avenue in a safe community that caters to everyone from families to retirees,” Bedgood said in the SRAR’s monthly release.

The sales volume also felt the pinch, recording 163 pending sales, a 35% dip in the year-over-year numbers. 

The entertainment sector saw the biggest losses last month, according to the California Economic Development Division, which was largely due to the ongoing writers’ strike that was declared in May.

PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF SANTA CLARITA

A Guide to Calculating Required Minimum Distributions

IVY PIERSON Founder and Investment Advisor Representative Pierson Wealth Management

Calculating your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is a crucial aspect of retirement planning for individuals with tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Especially with recent changes under the SECURE Act, understanding when and how to calculate your RMDs is essential.

To calculate your RMD, follow these steps:

1. Determine Distribution Year: Generally, you can delay your first RMD until April 1 of the year following the year you reach age 72 (73 if you reach age 72 after Dec. 31, 2022); however, doing so will mean you need to take two distributions your first year.

2. Find the Retirement Plan Balance: Use your account balance as of December 31 of the prior year and add any outstanding rollovers.

3. Determine the Life Expectancy Factor: Refer to the Uniform Lifetime Table to determine this. If your spouse is the sole beneficiary and over ten years younger, use the Joint Life Expectancy Table.

4. Calculate Your RMD: Divide the retirement plan balance (step 2) by the life expectancy factor (step 3). The result is the RMD that must be taken by December 31 of the distribution year.

5. Consider Aggregation: RMDs from owned IRA and 403(b) accounts can be aggregated, However, other types of accounts

cannot be aggregated.

Staying informed and following these steps ensures compliance with RMD requirements, avoiding penalties and managing your retirement account withdrawals effectively. For professional advice to tailor your RMD strategy to your unique financial situation, contact us today at (661) 297-7566 or visit www.PiersonWealthManagement. com.

Securities and advisory services offered through Cetera Advisors LLC (doing insurance business in CA as CFGA Insurance Agency LLC CA Insurance Lic#0I32305), member FINRA/SIPC, a broker/ dealer and a Registered Investment Adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. Ivy Pierson CA Insurance Lic#0C92500. For a comprehensive review of your personal situation, consult with a tax or legal advisor. Neither Cetera Advisors LLC nor any of its representatives may give legal or tax advice 

CEP, MBA Founder

Going the Extra Mile: BE OF SERVICE

BY PAUL BUTLER SCVBJ Contributing Writer

Sept. 5 marked the oneyear anniversary of my dad’s passing. He had many wonderful phrases. Many of his sayings didn’t make sense to me as a young boy. Some even annoyed me as a teenager, but now they all make sense. One that popped into my mind this week was: “Money is just the fruit that falls from the tree of life when we serve people well.”

What I realize my dad was saying in this one quirky phrase is that we’re all meant to be of service to each other. Sometimes we’re the server. Sometimes we’re the cus-

tomer. Sometimes we’re the co-worker.

Whereas most people don’t consider themselves to be in the “customer service” business, (and perhaps even see ‘service’ as below them), I’d propose we all work within the service industry.

Allow me to magnify with three examples.

1. I recently sent an email to a senior leader within an organization. I immediately received an email response from him which is rare, as he normally takes several days to do so. I opened the email in anticipation. Sadly, it was an automated template: “I’m out of office.” What I found so lacking was any sense of service to others.

I’m a great believer that organizations are interdependent entities — meaning every employee is directly or indirectly dependent on the work of another. To state that you’re just “out of office” demonstrates no care for others —who may find it quite helpful to know exactly when you will be back in the office, or whom to contact in your absence.

2. My second example of poor service relates to a government entity that had recently issued a Request for Proposal (RFP). I diligently read through the 312-page document and although confident our company could serve the stated scope of work; I did have a handful of questions. I was delighted to find on page 74, the contact details of the person to email if a vendor had any questions. Sweet. I then invested about 45 minutes constructing my email, cross-referencing my questions to page numbers, paragraphs, and section references. Send.

I got an automated response to say the employee handling that RFP was out-of-office until September 19. On the bright side, I knew when she was back at her desk. The bad news was the RFP was due 5pm, September 18! With no-one else indicated for contact on the RFP, we chose not to submit. I decided to let the contact person know about this oversight. I did eventually get an email back from her which consisted of just six words: “Yeah, sorry about that. My bad.” And that’s civil service?

3. My third example is the growing trend we see of

people attending online meetings, not turning their camera on and not even participating verbally or via the electronic chat feature. I spoke with a manager recently who asked my advice and I made some suggestions. I’ve encouraged him to emphasize that when someone joins a meeting with other colleagues online and chooses to turn their camera off; it’s like them walking into a boardroom and sitting down with a black trash liner over their head and shoulders. Not only is it weird but it’s also rude to your colleagues— your internal customers. I encouraged him to also convey that one step worse, is to walk into a boardroom wearing the black trash liner and then remaining completely silent during the meeting.

That’s exactly how it can come across when people refuse to participate. It’s just plain rude and you can be perceived as irrelevant and as someone who adds zero value to the team. That’s very risky when economic tides change and layoffs sail in. People who have a spirit to serve are worth their weight in gold.

As dad said, we’re all just people serving others. Sometimes we serve and sometimes we’re being served. But we’re all in the customer service business. Even though my dad is now sadly “out-of-office” from an earthly perspective, I’m grateful he taught me such timeless principles. I hope you can hear him too, through the words on this page. I miss him so much. He was a good, good father. 

Services at Skyline Smiles include general, pediatric, cosmetic and sedation dentistry, mouthguards and nightguards, clear alignment treatments for teens, and Dentox, basically “dental Botox,” which can help with such conditions as teeth clenching and grinding, and jaw misalignment and pain.

While Skyline Smiles serves all ages, it is not difficult to see that pediatric dentistry is Dr. Grewal’s passion. The www.SkylineSmile.com website has a “Patient Education” section that is clearly meant to inform parents about the proper care of their children’s oral health, from before they start to teeth, through their first dental visit, through their teen and young adult years, to information about the importance of flossing and dental X-rays. One can see that what the doctor is doing is promoting intergenerational oral health among the families in her care.

“Good oral health is key to overall physical health, as healthy teeth and gums can prevent entry of bacteria and germs into the bloodstream,” Dr. Harleen says. “As to the boost to one’s mental health that self-esteem can bring, well, nothing accomplishes that better than properly aligned teeth and a bright, healthy smile. I want these benefits for every patient, every family in our care,” she said.

As if caring directly for families at her practice wasn’t enough, Dr. Grewal also participates in educational presentations for schools in the surrounding community. One might call her a “dental care evangelist.”

Back at Skyline Smiles,

besides delivering superior dental services, Dr. Grewal and her professional staff give much attention to families’ financing options when it comes to making oral care affordable.

Skyline Smiles understands that sometimes the possibilities of payment can be a deciding factor when it comes to dental treatment. Which is why the clinic accepts most insurance plans, including PPO’s and indemnity plans, and offers a unique financing option.

“At Skyline Smiles, we want to make our best-in-class treatments accessible to all, which is why we offer free initial consultations as well as customized payment plans through Care Credit,” Dr. Grewal proudly states on her website.

CareCredit is basically a credit card specifically for healthcare costs that Skyline Smiles accepts. Front office staff will even help patients apply for CareCredit at the clinic, although patients are also able to easily apply for this finance option online or through their smartphone.

CareCredit cardholders can access the following benefits when they use the card:

„ Special financing options;

„ No-interest short-term financing;

„ Reduced APR and fixed monthly payments for long-term financing; and

„ A decision within seconds.

Commitment to Family and Community

Next door to Skyline Smiles, in suite C of Skyline Ranch Plaza, is Mind Body Infusion, a med spa Dr. Harleen runs together with her husband, neu-

rologist Yuvraj Grewal, MD, who is MBI’s Medical Director. Successful in his own right, Dr. Yuvraj Grewal is the Stroke Director at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, where Skyline Smiles is a corporate partner; and he also runs his own practice, Advanced Center for Neurology and Headache.

The couple met in Massachusetts, and came to California to be closer to family, as our state is where Dr. Yuvraj is from. Together, the Grewals have two children, Ariya, who is 6 years old, and Abhi, who is 5.

When looking at the business Dr. and Dr. Grewal manage together, it is easy to see how the best relaxation practices in a medical spa setting

are applied to the soothing atmosphere of Skyline Smiles, as well.

The description of the Mind Body Infusion experience on the MindBodyInfusion. com website fits the description Dr. Harleen strives for at Skyline Smiles to a tee: “Our office setting is designed for comfort and intended to provide a peaceful, welcoming environment. We try to make everyone as comfortable as possible during their time at Mind Body Infusion [insert Skyline Smiles], especially in light of the stress and uncertainties of modern life.”

The fact that the two Doctors Grewal operate three local

to help

How Small Businesses Can Manage Cashflow

Intelligent cashflow management is the essential fuel of startups and digital businesses, particularly in a challenging economy. According to experts, it can mean the difference between surviving, thriving and failure.

“Poor cashflow management will kill your business. In fact, it’s killed some of the biggest businesses in the world. No matter how fast you’re growing, you could be destined for the startup graveyard if your outgoings exceed your revenues,” says Dominic Wells, serial entrepreneur and CEO and founder of Onfolio Holdings, a leading online conglomerate that acquires and manages a diversified portfolio of online business holdings.

To help startups and digital businesses not only survive a downturn, but remain profitable while accelerating growth, Wells shares these insights:

1. Know that capital is harder to secure. While during periods of low interest rates, it was possible to burn through capital, that’s no longer the case. “Don’t assume you can just raise more money. Investors are avoiding businesses that aren’t already cashflow positive,” says Wells.

2. Change your priorities.

Founders must review spending line items and identify the areas generating the greatest returns. Double down on those. Cut or reduce your spending elsewhere.

3. Focus on short-term growth. Certainty beats speculation right now and investors are choosing businesses that will generate near-term certainty with monthly recurring revenue over those with potential long-term growth.

4. Make profitability your number one goal. Aim to be profitable enough to pay yourself a decent salary, cover business overheads and keep cash in reserve. If you’re looking for a buyer or investor, have solid numbers to show them.

“It’s not easy to execute, but your goal is simple. Keep

asking yourself, ‘are we profitable?’ If the answer is no, do everything you can to get there quickly,” says Wells.

5. Become more financially secure. At a time when many operations are cutting costs, making your service indispensable to customers so that

SKYLINE

Continued from page 17

the health and wellbeing of Santa Clarita residents and out-of-area visitors clearly shows that this power couple is truly committed to their community.

In fact, Skyline Smiles is the Title Sponsor/World Sponsor of Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley’s 12th Annual Fashion Show, coming up Sunday, November 5, at the Hyatt Regency in Valencia. Themed “Small Town, Big World,” the event shows SIGSCV’s commitment toward empowering women and girls through education and economic support. Proceeds from the event will go toward the organization’s Live Your Dream Award, a women’s education grant program, and its

they stay with you, or even spend more money, can help make you more financially secure. It’s time to deploy strategies and technology that generate more revenue from your current customers. For example, if you’re a website owner without a subscription upsell, now is the time to implement one.

For more tips and insights and to learn more about digital company acquisition, visit onfolio.com.

“New challenges arise for small business owners and digital companies during downturns,” says Wells. “Being savvy about the current climate can mean not just your survival, but your continued success.” (SPT) „

Dream It, Be It Career Support for high-school-aged girls. “Through this commitment, we are helping women and girls right here in Santa Clarita and beyond,” Dr. Harleen said.

„ Visit Skyline Smiles

Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. Location: 28532 La Madrid Drive, Suite B, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 Tel: 661.760.2768

„ Schedule a free consultation by phone, or by visiting the Contact Us page of the SkylineSmile.com website.

„ Feel free to visit Skyline Smiles virtually by exploring the photo gallery in the Office Tour page of the SkylineSmile.com website.

„ Ask about financing options, including CareCredit. „

New Leadership and a New Outlook

Science in Organizational Management from the University of La Verne.

HOLLY SCHROEDER President & CEO of SCVEDC

After completion of a nationwide search, the Board of Directors for the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation announced the promotion of the previous Vice President of Workforce & Economic Development, Dr. Jey Wagner, to the role of President & CEO, as successor to Holly Schroeder.

With a proven record spanning over three decades, Jey is a seasoned professional in delivering world-class business improvement results. His expertise extends to executive human resources and entrepreneurial leadership, where he has supported business strategy development and implementation across several continents and has successfully addressed company culture improvement initiatives. Jey’s experience includes successful workforce development efforts, resulting in positive operational and financial outcomes. He has built and led teams, focusing on the achievement of talent management and production goals. With his vast knowledge, Jey has coached senior leaders and managers in navigating complex issues while creating impactful learning and development programs that support retention, career advancement, and overall organizational growth.

As a trusted advisor and practitioner in strategic human resources management, adult learning-based solutions, and executive coaching, Jey excels in creating, developing, and implementing innovative skill and capability development programs in collaboration with senior decision-makers. Most recently, he served as the Senior Vice President of Employee Engagement at Leadership Enrichment Partners; a Global Professional Development Executive at Dale Carnegie Training and President and CEO of Dale Carnegie Training of Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County; Vice President of Human Resources at Electro Rent Corporation; and Vice President of Human Resources and Operational Committee Member at Answer Financial Inc. (an Allstate Company).

His dedication to continuous learning led him to earn a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and Change from the University of Southern California (USC), a Master of Business Administration from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management, and a Bachelor of

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Jey is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and California Air National Guard, where he served in both enlisted and commissioned capacities. He has been a resident of the Santa Clarita Valley for 33 years and lives in Newhall with his wife and children.

The SCVEDC is excited to have Jey take

the helm and lead our dynamic organization. His experience is well suited to hit the ground running in this new role and continue the great work the SCVEDC is doing in workforce development initiatives, business assistance and expansion efforts, and more. Jey began his role on September 18th following our annual Economic Outlook event the week prior. For a brief summary of the event, turn to the Econowatch page of this month’s issue. 

The List Family-Owned Businesses

Santa Clarita Stock Average

Santa Clarita Stock Average Below you will find a list of local Santa Clarita-based or prominent Santa Clarita companies used for our averages. Each month we will take the average of all these stocks and show that number. Tracking that number from month to month will give you a window into how our local company’s stocks are performing. Last month the index was 3,423.88 and the average price per share was $114.13 This month the index is 3,223.32 down 200.56 or 6.2% For an average share price of $107.43.

Economic DEvElopmEnt corporation

Economic Outlook Takeaways, Future-Proofing Your Business

BY HOLLY SCHROEDER President and CEO of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp.

The 2023 Economic Outlook Conference provided an analysis of the upcoming year, focusing on Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding business community trends. With over 400 tickets sold, attendees praised it as our best event yet. Particular emphasis was given to Jack Uldrich’s presentation of Business as Unusual, the importance of embracing change with an open mindset, maintaining an awareness of emerging trends and technologies, and why future planning should play a role in how companies do business.

Dr. Schniepp’s presentation and report held a positive outlook on SCV’s economic position. Our continued increase in population size, accompanied by steady residential and much-needed industrial development construction, will help keep us moving in the right direction. SCV’s workforce in all sectors has almost completely recovered from the trauma of the pandemic, business formation growth has continued to accelerate, and job growth has only been limited by an almost fully employed workforce.

Also, during the event the SCVEDC proudly announced that we were recently honored for excellence in economic de-

Econo Watch

velopment by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in two distinct categories. For both the Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Initiatives and Print Brochures categories impacting populations between 200,000 - 500,000 residents, the SCVEDC was recognized for two of our primary projects: The 2022 Business Survey, and the SCV Talent Report.

In 2022 and 2023 the SCVEDC worked on several initiatives and programs to continue our mission of growing the tax base, creating high-quality jobs, and sustaining an economically diverse business environment. The Santa Clarita Valley continues to be one of the most productive and business–friendly locations in Southern California. Unfortunately, all too often we come across companies and individuals that simply do not have an accurate perception of our Valley. At the SCVEDC, we work to shift those perceptions by promoting the Santa Clarita Valley as the premier destination to live, work, and play. The SCVEDC worked with its various partners across the valley to build this comprehensive Talent Report to tell the story of the SCV, its demographics, workforce, and more.

Given the backdrop of the past few years in grappling with the effects and aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic,

the SCVEDC conducted a comprehensive Business Survey outreach to local businesses in March 2022 as a post-pandemic extension of SCVEDC’s ongoing business retention program. Business input through the survey process is utilized to assess the current and forecasted business climate, as well as identify actionable needs and priorities of existing industry in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Companies surveyed represented diverse business sectors within the Santa Clarita Valley, targeting key industry clusters that necessitate skilled labor, experienced leadership, higher wages, and larger companies whose presence in Santa Clarita Valley makes a significant economic impact.

The data and information collected through this post-COVID-19 business survey yielded great insights into the business climate in our region and gave rise to strategic shifts in SCVEDC’s priorities and focus to address specific needs identified through the survey process. An essential need to advance the skillsets of employees, particularly in technical areas of advanced manufacturing, was strongly identified through this survey, leading SCVEDC to put much greater emphasis and focus on workforce training and development as a key priority moving forward.. 

Getting Ready for 2023 Annual Report

BY JEFF PRANG Los Angeles County Assessor

This month’s column is about the pending public release of the 2023 Annual Report, which reflects growth and increases in the assessed value of taxable real property. The report also includes an updated listing of Los Angeles County’s 88 cities, including the highest valued cities and those with the highest percentage change from the prior year.

Some basics: The Assessor establishes the assessed value of all taxable property in Los Angeles County each year as required by the State Constitution. The assessed value of that property is recorded on a list called the Assessment Roll, which is broken down and analyzed in the Annual Report.

The Annual Report helps the public easily access information about the Assessor’s Office, property tax saving resources and how property values in each area of the County changed during this past year. The diligent work of the staff at the Assessor’s Office during these challenging times helped find new ways to produce and complete the vital functions that ultimately serve as the foundation of the property tax system.

The 2023 Assessment Roll had a total assessed value of all taxable property in the County this year at nearly $2 trillion, which will generate about $20 billion in property tax revenue to be allocated to local governments — cities, school districts, roads, hospitals, and libraries to fund the basic services we all rely on.

The Annual Report takes the 2023 Assessment Roll and breaks it down into categories and chapters, providing a comprehensive view of the strengths and challenges of the Los Angeles County real estate market.

Moreover, as the Annual Report does every year, it lists the top 20 highest valued cities in the County for 2023. The top five highest valued cities for 2023: City of Los Angeles at No. 1 with an assessed valuation of $819.6 billion (5.9% increase); Long Beach with an assessed valuation of $74.8 billion (6.8% increase);

Santa Clarita with an assessed valuation of $44.8 billion (8.5% increase); Burbank with an assessed value of $31.8 billion (9.7%); and Santa Monica with an assessed valuation of $48.9 billion (5.3% increase).

It’s important to remember that the average growth does not mean property owners will be subject to a corresponding increase on their annual property tax bills. Nearly nine out of 10 property owners will see only the modest 2% adjustment prescribed by Proposition 13.

The dedicated professionals at the Assessor’s Office are committed to providing the highest-quality of public service possible, regardless of the challenges that present themselves. Those challenges have been met and overcome as this Annual Report will indicate.

In fact, the Annual Report will point out that in order to create the 2023 Assessment Roll, the hardworking and dedicated staff of the Assessor’s Office processed 319,000 deeds, assessed 122,000 transfers, enrolled over 40,000 new construction events, reviewed approxi-

mately 21,000 decline-in-value parcels, and prepared over 32,000 Assessment Appeals Board cases. In the last year, Assessor business personal property staff canvassed over 386,000 business locations and processed over 127,000 property statements.

The actual report will be available in the coming weeks so please keep a look out for it. In the meantime, don’t forget to visit our new, improved website at assessor.lacounty.gov where you can find all property tax saving resources available to you.

Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang has been in office since 2014. Upon taking office, Prang implemented sweeping reforms to ensure that the strictest ethical guidelines rooted in fairness, accuracy and integrity would be adhered to in his office, which is the largest office of its kind in the nation and provides the foundation for a property tax system that generates $20 billion annually. 

The assessor sets the assessed value of all taxable property. That value is recorded on the Assessment Roll and analyzed in the Annual Report..

Aerial view of Stevenson Ranch. PHOTO CREDIT HUNYOUNG

Dr. Harleen Grewal Pediatric & Family Dentist