209 Business Journal - December 2020 by 209 Multimedia Publications

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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DECEMBER 2020

VOLUME 5 ■ ISSUE 12

IN PROFILE

INTERCHANGE OF THE FUTURE

Denair resident turns talent with ceramics into custom business.

PAGE 4

TECH

Bay Valley Tech talks career training with Congressman Josh Harder.

California’s first diverging diamond interchange nears completion BY DENNIS WYATT

PAGE 8

209 Business Journal

wenty-five years ago you could not exit or enter the 120 Bypass from the Union Road overpass in Manteca. No ramps were put in place at Union Road when the Bypass opened as a hybrid three-lane highway/freeway in the 1980s. Ramps weren’t added until the mid-1990s when the 120 Bypass was widened to its current fourlane configuration. But now, Union Road will reopen to traffic as California’s first diverging diamond interchange — a design where overpass traffic crosses each other to improve traffic flow and reduce conflict points for potential accidents. It is an improvement that in the realm of freeway element design is light years away from the original bridge-only crossing when the Bypass opened to connect with a bumpy narrow two lane road lined up to the freeway’s edge with orchards and pasture. “We still have two more to do,” Manteca Mayor Ben Cantu said of future diverging diamond interchanges along the 120 Bypass. “I would like to really get that done in 10 years. As long as I’m on the council I’m pushing for that. I want Manteca to be the first to have three (diverging diamond interchanges) in the same community in this country.” The city has preliminary committed to using the diverging

diamond interchange (DDI) approach when they go to widen the congested Airport Way and Main Street overcrossings. Besides the safety and improved traffic flow touted by Caltrans District 10 Director Dennis T. Agar, the DDI design doesn’t require the taking of additional property. It is quicker to build and less costly given the existing bridge structures can be incorporated into the new design. Going with the DDI design at Union Road saved nearly $10 million over a more traditional diamond interchange. Assemblyman Heath Flora’s field representative Jason Laughlin, who grew up in Manteca, pointed out that the Union Road project could also be another rarity for California — a freeway project that even with its accelerated construction timeline and lower cost managed to come in under budget by $150,000 as well as open four months ahead of schedule. “Under budget and early — that’s incredible,” Laughlin noted. Although most of the $23.7 million tab was essentially the last major hurrah project for the now defunct Manteca Redevelopment Agency, the countywide Measure K half cent sales tax for transportation projects voters passed in 1990 and extended in 2006 played a pivotal role in making the project happen. San Joaquin Council of Gov-

ernments Executive Director Andrew Chesley noted $1 million from Measure K kept the project moving forward when PG&E slapped the city with an unexpected $1.8 million bill after the project bid was awarded to relocate four transmission lines they normally pick up half the cost on and the state the other half. SJCOG also awarded funds for the separate bicycle/pedestrian bridge crossing — the first on the 120 Bypass — that were fused with RDA funds to pay for the interchange work. Councilman Gary Singh, who emphasized the safety, reduced accidents, smoother traffic flow, and cost savings, said he expects motorists will adjust to the design even with it involving

“driving on the wrong side of the road” for a brief period. Singh also pointed out an aspect of the project that dovetails into efforts he has pursued to improve pedestrian safety in Manteca. Union Road is now the only crossing of the 120 Bypass where sidewalks extend to and over bridge decks. You can now take a sidewalk — interrupted with street crossings — all the way from the northern city limits past the last entrance to Del Webb at Woodbridge to Woodward Avenue. Neither the Main Street nor the Airport Way overcrossings have sidewalks leading up to them or on the bridge deck. There is not only no separation from vehicle SEE BUILD, PAGE 5

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Flanking Mayor Ben Cantu as he prepares to cut the ribbon to dedicate the new Union Road interchange are council members Jose Nuño, left, and Debby Moorhead.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

DECEMBER 2020

IN PROFILE

New year, new you at Tailored Aesthetics Medical Spa BY VIRGINIA STILL 209 Business Journal

The start of a new year has many people thinking about what the future holds and hopeful that 2021 will be a much better year than the often exasperating 2020. The ending of a year can lead to excitement for a new journey that may include new adventures, new experiences, a new exercise routine, new goals and perhaps a new look. Tailored Aesthetics Medical Spa has opened in downtown Escalon to bring people in the 209 a variety of services to enhance natural beauty for a new you. The name for the medical spa was created by founder and registered nurse Kacie Avey, as it was important for people to know that their services are tailored for each person individually with a customized treatment plan. The services offered are focused on prevention and protection and include Botox, fillers, skin care and skin coaching. “My style of injecting is very conservative,” said Avey. “I like patients to feel like the best versions of their selves and not augmented really. Yes, you want to have enhancements but I do like to en-

hance natural beauty. My little motto I like to say is the best injectable is undetectable.” Since she was young, Avey has been interested in skin with dreams to become a dermatologist. The dream changed a bit as she got older so she pursued a business degree to open her own medical spa someday to do aesthetics and help people with their skin. At the age of 18 she got her aesthetician license and began working at a medical spa in Southern California where she did chemical peels and microneedling while also assisting the doctors and nurses with injectables. “I struggled so terribly with acne and sunburns,” noted Avey. “I never felt that there was really any accessible information for that. I wish I had direction when I was younger. It (working at the med spa) was just really fun and it really intrigued me and working with the doctors and nurses allowed me to use prescription skin care on patients and a stronger level chemical peel.” Avey decided to seek the medical side of the skin care industry so she moved back to the Modesto area

to get her nursing degree. After attaining her degree in nursing, she worked in a hospital for a short time to gain fundamental nursing skills. Then she began working for a local plastic surgeon as an injector. “I worked there for a while and I just fell in love with it and I just really loved the whole process for the patients,” explained Avey. “I did do a lot of what I call skin coaching. In our area we have so many people who battle acne uncontrolled and so many people who battle rosacea uncontrolled and they don’t know how to manage it. Both those things are manageable. A huge issue that patients struggle with in our population is melasma and hyperpigmentation. I love helping people change all those things because you can change it. So many people are afraid to go out bare faced or they feel self-conscious about it.” After spending some time at a large med spa in Sacramento and commuting a few days a week her experience continued to grow. With the experience at different locations, Avey learned what she liked and what needed improve-

ments. The stars aligned and she was able to open her very own med spa with Dr. Muazzum Aman as the medical director and co-owner. Dr. Aman is an emergency room physician as well. “I am excited,” Avey said. “I think this is different. I feel like there was a need for this type of medical spa in this area.” Opening a business anytime can be intimidating and it can be even more challenging during a pandemic. Tailored Aesthetics officially opened in August and unfortunately, they were unable to have a grand opening or public celebration of any kind. They follow all recommended guidelines using masks and sanitizing thoroughly as time is allotted between patients to do so. The remodeled office was once a Pilates studio and has since transformed into a modern lavish space with exposed beams and x barn doors. “I think that the first week I opened it was so surreal I couldn’t believe the support that I had,” stated Avey. “I couldn’t believe the supSEE SPA, PAGE 5

VIRGINIA STILL/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

Kacie Avey founded Tailored Aesthetics Medical Spa to meet specific skin care needs in the 209.

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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

IN PROFILE

Clothing store aims to boost women’s confidence through fashion BY SABRA STAFFORD 209 Business Journal

When Vanessa Santana opened Halo B in downtown Modesto, she wanted to create something that was more than a clothing boutique. “Not only are we a store but a place to create a welcoming atmosphere and committed to enhance every woman’s radiant light and feel their best when styling their pieces,” Santana said. Now, two years after opening Halo B has found their niche with a clientele looking to don classic style. “I feel like my store’s specialty provides trendy and classic styles that give women a sense of empowerment and a way for women to feel good about themselves,” Santana said. Santana has curated a style in Halo B that can meet a wide variety of fashion needs, from modern cuts and designs to the current fashion rage of cottage core. Guests can find sweaters, dresses, blouses, T-shirts, jeans, coats, hats, leggings, pants, rompers, jumpsuits, accessories and more. The store has small, medium and large sizes. Most clothing is between $25 to $90 with a few items priced higher. As the temperatures have been dropping, Halo B has been bringing in more warm and cozy fashion finds. “There is something special about warm and cozy style because not everything gives you that feeling and

it’s very important for women to wear clothes that gives them a sense of confidence and comfort that makes them feel on top of the world,” Santana said. “We’re moms, hands-on people, a helping sister, handling work, going to school and women sometimes need a sense of warm and cozy to feel relaxed and grateful. It reminds me of wearing a throw in front of a fire on a crispy chilly day with a cup of coffee at the end of every day and feel that sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.” And since a lot of people are staying close to home of late and preferring a wardrobe of comfort, Santana is finding clothing for Halo B to meet that need. “Most recently, we have seen styles evolve and change,” Santana said. “Cozy loungewear and athleisure has now become part of our daily lives because it is so easy to dress up warm and cozy items whether that’s with boots, blazers, coats, jewelry, etc. It gives you the feeling of being relaxed and I feel like with fashion as long as you’re comfortable you are able to do anything and will put you in a good state of mind.” Halo B is located at 1026 11th St., in Modesto. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Guests can also shop online at halobshop.com or follow them on Instagram @shop_halob.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Halo B is offering affordable fashion for women at their downtown Modesto store.

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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

DECEMBER 2020

IN PROFILE

Nature and style fuse into one at Wolf and Monarch BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

When Denair resident Wendy Makin first took a wheel-thrown ceramic class at Columbia College four years ago, she had no idea the newly-learned hobby would eventually turn into a fullfledged business. “I loved it immediately,” Makin said of her first spin on the wheel. “I had kind of like, a natural gift with it right away...It started out as an outlet for my creative energy, and because it’s such a calming and centering hobby it became almost like a zen-out thing to destress.” After fine-tuning her wheel skills during more classes at Turlock Adult School, Makin began to purchase her own potterymaking equipment and soon had completed her very own home studio in her garage. She began making gifts for friends, who told her she could make a living off selling the custom, ceramic pieces. Soon, her own business was born. It’s undergone some changes since 2016, like a new name and shift to a more potteryfocused inventory, but remains a place that serves as a creative

outlet for Makin — and money maker. Today, Wolf and Monarch recently celebrated the soft launch of its new website and Makin is hard at work creating Christmas gifts for the community. Currently, Wolf and Monarch is offering its Winter Solstice Holiday Gift Boxes with varying tiers which include items like candles with custom glazes and scents, soaps and customized ceramic dishes. In the new year, Makin plans on fully launching her new site with a variety of inventory like cups, mugs, planters and more — all made with love. Her brand celebrates all things earth and nature, she said, from the business name down to its products themselves. One of her favorite things about creating pottery is that making ceramic items utilizes all four elements of the earth, from the clay, or sifted mud, being molded with water to the pieces being fired in the kiln and dried with air. “I think that one of the most beautiful parts of ceramic art is that it takes all four elements into play to make it...It takes those elements and becomes this beautiful, functional piece of pottery

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Denair resident Wendy Makin turned a community course-learned talent into a business with Wolf and Monarch.

that lasts centuries,” Makin said. Her favorite part of the process is opening the kiln after she’s glazed her pieces and seeing what she’s created. Pottery is a long process and never produces the same results twice, she said. This holiday season, she hopes that the community supports lo-

cally-owned businesses, whether it be her own or someone else’s. “With the pandemic and everything, a lot of people are hurting locally. It makes sense to keep the money local and give back to your community that way,” Makin said. “Amazon and Target are going to be fine. When you shop

and buy local, that’s money going directly into somebody’s pocket that’s helping them and other families in the area have food on the table and have a good holiday.” To contact Makin visit www. wolfandmonarch.com or @wolfandmonarch on Instagram.

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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

NEWS

Great wolf pushes opening to March BY DENNIS WYATT 209 Business Journal

It took just two weeks for the world to change. On March 6 before the start of a sneak preview hard hat tour of the $180 million complex that includes the signature 95,000-square-foot indoor water park, 45,000-squarefoot family entertainment center complete with restaurants, and amusements, a 500-room hotel, and a 12,000-square-foot conference center Great Wolf CEO Murray Hennessy announced the resort that is likely to become a Manteca icon would open a month early on July 1. That triggered a round of applause and a rush to book rooms online. Two weeks later, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a COVID-19 pandemic health emergency. Instead of opening July 1, Great Wolf pushed the opening back twice — first to Oct. 27 and then Dec. 17. On Nov. 25 the decision was made to move back the

SPA

FROM PAGE 2 port and the interest that the people were showing in this area. It was really great to feel like the community really embraced me and I am happy to offer something different here. With COVID you have to have grace because everything is going to be delayed. So, I knew that going into it. Opening a business during COVID is crazy and I knew it wasn’t going to be a smooth ride.” Clients have followed Avey who come from Turlock, Sonora, Sacramento and all the places in between. The services are available for men and women of all skin types by appointment only and a consultation is advised to answer questions, discuss risks, benefits and expectations. Avey explained that she has continued training and advanced education to

BUILD

FROM PAGE 1 traffic but the only barrier along the bridge is a three-foot concrete K-rail style structure as opposed to a chain link fence that is standard on most California freeway overcrossings that see substantial foot traffic. The project also adds

opening is the loss of anticipated room taxes that — even though they are being split over a 25-year period once the doors open with the city’s share getting larger at various option until it is 100 percent — could be as high as $1.8 million a term a full 12 months of operation at 70 percent capacity. Had Great Wolf opened next moth as planned, the city could have received between $450,000 to $900,000 for the current fiscal year that would have helped ease the pain somewhat of the projected $6 million hit general fund revenues are expected to take due to COVID-19 protocols that have severely impacted business which in turn hurts sales tax and hotel tax receipts. The other losers are the people who had been offered positions for most of the 550 jobs as well as Great Wolf Resorts itself that is servicing $180 million in debt.

The opening of the Great Wolf in Manteca has been pushed back to March 23. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

resort opening a third time to March 23. The summer opening that morphed into a start of winter opening may now be an early spring opening assuming the pandemic crests by then and San Joaquin County with the rest of California — particularly the critical Bay Area market — is heading toward

the two bottom COVID protocol tiers instead of being stuck in the top two. Great Wolf’s policy allows those who have already booked reservations to change them without being charged. Despite social media bloggings mixed with a high dose of local politics, the City of Manteca

be current with her technique and safety protocols. “My job is to educate you and you make the decisions,” expressed Avey. “I think a lot of times people are really nervous about the pain. I use a lot of comfort measures. I don’t like to be in pain and I don’t like to see my patients in pain. I use very small insulin needles for most of the injections with Botox. With the filler I use topical numbing and there is a little bit of a numbing agent in the filler. I use a lot of relaxation techniques with the patients; that is why I book longer time slots. It really helps decrease their stress level and they feel more comfortable.” There are a variety of products offered at the med spa with brands like Colorscience and ZO Skin Health. Working with all the different skin care lines throughout her career, Avey handpicked specific products that she is con-

fident will work with the custom treatment plans for her patients. “It (ZO) is an amazing inclusive line,” remarked Avey. “ZO skin health is by far my favorite, that is why I chose it. I only wanted to have one main skin care line because I don’t want patients to be confused. I felt that way as a consumer. I support those products with sunscreen. It makes me laugh because my patients call me the sunscreen police. That is the number one antiaging product that I can give to you or anybody can give to you and not all sunscreens are created equal.” For more information on Tailored Aesthetics Medical Spa, located at 1710 Main Street in Escalon, visit tailoredmedspa.com, email info@tailoredmedspa.com or call 209-6142360. You can also follow them on Facebook. People can book online, call or text as well.

auxiliary lanes on the 120 Bypass in each direction from Union Road connecting with ramps at both Main Street and Airport Way. Those lanes will allow smoother merging with Bypass traffic as well as help reduce peak congestion as motorists wishing to exit the freeway to be able to move over earlier. As speeches were being made during the rib-

bon-cutting ceremony in November, crews on the southwest corner of the interchange were putting pre-poured concrete walls in place for the 116,641-square-foot Living Spaces furniture showroom. It is the first of several commercial projects expected to move forward with the upgraded interchange in place.

isn’t out any money for costs they have incurred through having Great Wolf’s growth-related fees being covered by a part of the room tax the resort generates. That’s because the growth fees are for impacts once guests start using the complex. There is no wastewater treatment

capacity of treated water capacity being consumed if no one is flushing toilets or taking showers. The same is true for fees collected for streets, government facilities such as new fire stations, and community parks among others. The impact city will be hurt with by the delayed

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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

DECEMBER 2020

NEWS

Tech Connect to help local businesses improve results through technology, digital marketing BY SABRA STAFFORD 209 Business Journal

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

The solar energy system at San Joaquin County’s Foothill Landfill has been completed.

Solar project at San Joaquin landfill completed STAFF REPORTS 209 Business Journal

A solar energy system out at the San Joaquin County’s Foothill Landfill in Linden, which was built from a partnership between the county and renewable energy company Ameresco has been completed. San Joaquin County partnered with Ameresco to develop, own and operate a ground-mount solar photovoltaic system at the Foothill Landfill in Linden. Funded by a power purchase agreement (PPA), Ameresco installed 13,770 solar modules rated at 385W-DC each, as well as 29 solar inverters rated at 125kW-AC each. Under a separate agreement with San Joaquin County, Ameresco constructed a 4.3 MW landfill gas to energy plant at the same landfill in 2014. “San Joaquin County, and its local communities, have long prioritized the development of renewable energy resources, both for reducing emissions and supplementing existing electricity generation,” said Kathy Miller, Chair of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors. “In addition to its environmental impact, the solar energy system will provide further utility cost savings to our region, which will directly benefit residents and local governments’ ability to

better serve its constituents.” The solar energy system will generate approximately 10,473,000 kWh of electricity in year one. This equates to a reduction of 7,405 tons of CO2 emissions or 854 homes’ energy use for one year. In addition to the significant electrical savings, the County will also receive a $500,000 upfront lease payment for the use of the land, infusing revenue into the County from day one. “As a leader in green energy, San Joaquin County is always looking for ways to provide an improved environment for our residents while at the same time providing cost savings to taxpayers,” said San Joaquin County Supervisor Chuck Winn. “The County recognized that the Foothill Landfill site in Linden had a large amount of undeveloped land. Thanks to a previous project implemented at the site in partnership with Ameresco, we knew there was a similar opportunity to do something productive with the site. When Ameresco approached us about the potential use of the undeveloped land for solar arrays, it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. This is a long-term partnership and the resulting project will provide a great benefit to the County and our residents.”

“Our continued work with San Joaquin County demonstrates that there are always additional ways to make a community more sustainable and energy-secure,” said Bob Georgeoff, Vice President of Ameresco. “We look forward to seeing this project deliver environmental benefits while also generating substantial financial savings for San Joaquin County.” Ameresco continues to work with multiple parties involved in its development, including Sage Energy Consulting, PG&E, the SJCOG, the Linden Fire Department, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California State Water Resources Control Board, CEQA and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. Founded in 2000, Ameresco’s sustainability services include upgrades to a facility’s energy infrastructure and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy plants. Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with Federal, state and local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers.

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Bay Valley Tech and the Modesto Chamber of Commerce have launched a partnership to host monthly meetings with an aim towards connecting and growing the area’s technology sector. Named Tech Connect, the monthly networking meetings are scheduled for the same time on the third Thursday of each month. All local entrepreneurs and business people are welcome to attend the tech-focused discussions. Tech Connect will be meeting online through Zoom. The Chamber plans to convert these monthly meetings to in-person events once Covid has subsided. “Technology, analytics and digital marketing are increasingly key drivers of success in a wide range of industries including agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and retail,” said Modesto Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Trish Christensen. “We are thrilled to bring this technologyfocused networking opportunity to businesses in our area. Attendees will find this forum informative, supportive and effec-

tive in helping companies understand and embrace the invaluable role that technology plays in improving profitability.” The first Tech Connect was held in November and was led by Phillip Lan, president of Modestobased Bay Valley Tech. The conversation focused on one of Lan’s primary goals of expanding the tech workforce in the Central Valley and helping the regions businesses become more tech savvy. “The goal of Tech Connect is to help local companies increase revenue and profit growth by leveraging new technology and digital marketing strategies,” Lan said. “Tech Connect is a networking event that will facilitate tech knowledge sharing amongst local companies and elevate our collective tech IQ through monthly expert speakers.” Tech connect is open to the broader community of entrepreneurs and businesses, even if they are not Chamber members. Lan said it could also be particularly beneficial to those who think their business doesn’t necessarily have a need for keeping apprised of the latest technology.

“Technology is pervasive in businesses and provides a key competitive advantage that is inescapable today,” Lan said. “The most profitable companies are utilizing datadriven decision making and automated solutions to increase revenue and margins. Non-tech companies in healthcare, retail, finance, manufacturing and agriculture are hiring software engineers at a feverish pace and becoming tech companies in order to win in the marketplace. You do not want to let your competitors become more tech savvy than you in today’s competitive landscape. Digital marketing and social media can also open new channels for revenue that can help your business in the current challenging environment.” The next Tech Connect will be from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 17 and the guest speaker will be Economic Development Manager for the City of Modesto Tim Dutter. Spots for this first Zoom are limited, so register at: (bit.ly/nextekconnect).

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209 209BUSINESS BUSINESS JOURNAL JOURNAL

OPINION

Vol. 5 No. 12 ■ December 2020 PUBLISHER Hank Vander Veen

There is no failure except in no longer trying.

EDITOR Sabra Stafford

NEWSROOM Dennis D. Cruz Kristina Hacker Teresa Hammond Angelina Martin Virginia Still Dennis Wyatt

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

—Chris Bradford

Harold L. George

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sharon Hoffman

SALES & MARKETING Chris Castro Beth Flanagan Karen Olsen Corey Rogers Melody Wann Charles Webber

DIGITAL Frankie Tovar Rich Matheson

Business partners gone wild: Case No. 448 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: sstafford@209magazine.com 209businessjournal.com The Oakdale Leader USPS No 178-680 Is published weekly by 209 Multimedia, 122 S. Third Ave. Oakdale, Ca 95361 ©Copyright 2020. 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

“Two years ago, my wife’s brother and I decided to start up a local taxi service (it’s a small town, well off the radar screens of Uber and Lyft). We set up a limited liability company (LLC) for the business. Because of some credit problems I had in the past, the city wouldn’t give us the medallion to operate the taxi service if I was a member of the LLC. So we made my wife 50% owner of the business, with my wife’s brother owning the other 50%. The business has done really well, so well that it’s totally gone to my brotherin-law’s head. He thinks it’s HIS business, even though my wife does all the books and I’m driving cabs just as much as he is. Last week we learned that he re-registered all of our taxicabs in his own name, shut down the LLC checking account, and opened a new LLC checking account at another bank with him as the only authorized signature. He’s totally out of control. How can we get rid of him?” There’s an old saying that says, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” and here’s a classic example. As I’ve said before in this column, nothing — and I mean NOTHING — will keep a business owner awake at night like when a partner goes over to the dark side and starts doing

CLIFF ENNICO CREATORS SYNDICATE

weird stuff without his or her knowledge. Your first mistake was setting up the LLC as a 50/50 partnership between your wife and her brother. With only 50% of the voting power, your wife cannot legally overrule her brother’s crazy behavior. She should have been given 51% or more of the membership interests so her brother couldn’t do any of this stuff without her consent. Putting your wife in as the 50% member also puts her in an incredibly awkward position emotionally speaking. She loves you, of course, but this is her brother we’re talking about. You’re asking her to take sides, which certainly cannot be easy for her. You should not have assumed she will always see things your way. In legal terms, your wife and her brother are deadlocked, meaning the LLC is stymied and cannot do anything because the owners can’t see eye to eye. At this point, you and your wife have four options: — You can offer to buy her brother out. — You can sue her brother.

— In most states, you can petition your state court to dissolve the LLC and divide up the assets between her and her brother. — She can offer to sell her 50% ownership stake to her brother. None of these solutions are perfect. Buyout. Once someone becomes your business partner, the only way you can legally get rid of him is to buy him out. When you set up this LLC, you should have gotten her brother to sign a “buy-sell” agreement, which would have permitted your wife to buy him out at a pre-established price in the case of a deadlock. The time to get an agreement like this is when everybody likes each other and nobody’s thinking about getting divorced. In the words of Carole King, “It’s too late, baby/ Now it’s too late.” Lawsuit. The actions your brother-in-law took to gain control of the business clearly breached his fiduciary duty to the LLC as a 50% owner. You can sue him for that (or threaten to sue in the hopes he will see the error of his ways). Keep in mind, though, that it will probably take months, if not years, and tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees before you get the judgment you deserve. Dissolution. In most states, when an LLC is deadlocked,

an aggrieved member can ask the state courts to dissolve the LLC and divide up the assets. The trouble here is that your medallion, or license to run a taxicab service, probably cannot be split in two. You will have to present a compelling case to the court so the judge awards the medallion to your wife, rather than her brother. Selling Out. Since your brother-in-law now controls the LLC’s assets and “possession is nine-tenths of the law,” there may be no alternative but to have your wife sell her 50% stake to her brother and let him run the show. Since your brother-in-law probably doesn’t have enough cash to pay fair value for your wife’s share, consider offering him a royalty arrangement in which he pays a small amount upfront and then a percentage of his monthly gross sales (usually 10% to 25%) each month over the next three to five years. It’s not perfect, but in a situation like this, it’s probably the only cost-effective option. You will have to get your brother-in-law’s attention, either by threatening to sue him or threatening to shut him out of the family in some way, before he will agree to a buyout. That won’t be easy, or pleasant. For more information, see my YouTube video “Keeping Lawsuits at Bay.”

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TECHNOLOGY

Talking tech and career training with Congressman Josh Harder PHILIP LAN BAY VALLEY TECH

This month, I am interviewing Congressman Josh Harder who is a strong supporter of tech and vocational education. He lives in Turlock with his wife, Pam. His family has been in the Central Valley for generations, since his great-great grandfather joined a wagon train in search of gold and stopped just short to start a peach farm in Manteca. Harder is a graduate of Modesto High School, Stanford and Harvard. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Harder focuses on ensuring the Central Valley’s vibrant agricultural community thrives. Harder also serves as a member of the Education and Labor Committee where he works to strengthen Career and Technical Education programs. LAN: Congressman Harder, we appreciate you taking time to discuss improving our Central Valley’s skilled workforce training and economic development initiatives. Can you describe your vision to create more higher-wage jobs in the Central Valley? HARDER: In addition to traditional education, we need to invest in a broad set of vocational and technical skills education programs. Increasing the pool of local skilled workers will attract higher-paying employers to the region and help our current companies who are struggling to fill skilled-job openings. We don’t even have the personnel necessary to fill the jobs we have available now in the Valley. Recently, I spoke with a large employer who opened a new facility on the other side of the Altamont because they couldn’t find enough maintenance mechanics here in the Valley for their openings. We have to make sure our students get the skills training needed to fill these higher-wage jobs. LAN: How can government agencies help local companies find enough qualified tech workers to grow? HARDER: I introduced a skills education package, which, among other things, would build on the success of Pathways Programs like the one offered at Enochs High School. These programs connect interested

students with local employers so they can get hands-on experience while in school – and also prepare students to meet local employer needs. LAN: We have seen Silicon Valley expand and turn San Francisco as well as the East Bay into job-creating tech hubs over the last 30 years. How can we support the Central Valley’s development as a new tech hub capable of driving local economic growth? HARDER: We have to attract more businesses here by offering a workforce that’s capable of meeting the needs of these employers. We can do that by supporting tech education as well as organizations like the VOLT Institute in Modesto. We helped them secure a nearly $1 million EDA investment – the largest in Stanislaus County history. The investment will further grow VOLT’s successful programs – VOLT’s first class in 2018 had over 88 percent of graduates secure goodpaying local jobs. It also will also VOLT to purchase new equipment to expand into new areas of skills education. It is also important to build partnerships with companies in the private sector as well as educational institutions such as Modesto Junior College and the Stanislaus County Office of Education, so we can maximize effectiveness of vocational and tech training initiatives. LAN: The Central Valley has amazing potential because it is one of the few regions with a large workforce located adjacent to such a large tech hub like Silicon Valley, yet the vast majority of Bay Area companies continue to overlook the Stockton/Modesto area in their expansion plans. In fact, these companies have taken thousands of our best-paying tech jobs out of California instead of investing in the Central Valley. What strategies will you implement to attract Bay Area employers to Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties? HARDER: I agree that the Central Valley has huge potential and can be an attractive region for companies to expand to. In addition to graduates from our local universities, we need to create job-ready skilled workers through vocational training and certificate programs as well. We also need to do a better job of marketing the Central Valley’s potential. My office is

working hard on behalf of employers looking to move here. Aemetis Technology, for example, is interested in building a new facility here in the Valley, but the bureaucracy is moving too slowly on this – and it’s costing us jobs. The Aemetis facility would create an estimated 2,000 jobs here in the Valley either directly or indirectly. I will meet with anyone, anywhere, if it means bringing good paying jobs to the Valley.

you want to get a certificate to be a maintenance mechanic or to perform other new tech jobs, you’re on your own. My skills education package would fix that. It would make people eligible to receive federal money to complete shortterm certificate programs.

Congressman Josh Harder

LAN: Josh, you recently introduced a bill to expand college credits for apprenticeships. How do you see this helping accelerate growth of the Central Valley’s skilled and tech labor force? How will this bill help local employers? HARDER: My bill would accelerate attainment of college degrees, which would help students, as well as employers in need of that talent. For example, if you’re a tradesman in Modesto and you want to branch out and start your own business, you may want to get a business degree. And if you do, your

education in the skills world should count toward credits for your business degree. My bill would help formalize the program that does that and make sure it has the support it needs. LAN: Central Valley workers have largely been left out of the tech economy. How do you plan to improve their prospects to acquire the tech skills needed to compete for the jobs of the future? HARDER: If you want to get a philosophy degree, you get federal help. But if

About Phillip Lan As president of Bay Valley Tech, Phillip Lan oversees both the fast-growing code academy, which provides free and low-cost tech training to Central Valley and East Bay residents, as well as the ValleyWorx co-working space, a Modesto-based tech hub that supports local entrepreneurs. A strong believer in the power of tech communities as a force to lift entire regions out of poverty, Lan is a key driver in Bay Valley Tech’s numerous initiatives to support Central Valley hackathons, software meetups, Women Techmakers, high school coding programs and the AgTech Summit. Prior to Bay Valley Tech, Lan led the digital marketing team at E&J Gallo Winery and held marketing, business development and leadership roles in tech companies such as IBM and Ask Jeeves. He holds a bachelor’s degree in managerial economics from U.C. Davis; and an MBA in computer information systems from California State UniversityEast Bay.

LAN: Over the past few years, several tech initiatives have already been established in the region. Huddle x Launch Pad, CodeStack academy, ValleyWorx, Women Techmakers, Valley Hackathon, Modesto’s AgTech Summit and Bay Valley Tech are all making a positive impact. How can your office help our local tech community grow? HARDER: We’re always here to help local nonprofits secure federal funding. Our office also hosts the annual Congressional App Challenge, which supports the development of locallygrown tech talent. Thank you so much for your time, Congressman Harder. We appreciate everything you and your staff do for our community.

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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS AT WORK

Seven marketing strategies that fuel business growth BY ELIZABETH DEVINE

209 Business Journal

he era of the Internet changed many things. One of them is the way businesses advertise their products and reach their target audiences. What also changed is the interaction between businesses and customers and the way that companies build a brand. Even the age-old advertising industry shifted to cater to these new trends and provide customers with more information, stronger connections with brands, and a more refined experience. At Devine Solutions Group, we pride ourselves on embracing many new-age marketing techniques and strategies that help our clients take advantage of shifts like these in their respective industries. But what are the best ways to fuel growth and attract more clients in your industry or niche?

DESIGN A FUNCTIONAL WEBSITE A website is the first step into your online venture towards attracting new clients. A functional website allows your business to be seen from anywhere around the world, on any device (mobile or desktop), and at any time (24/7). It is the best way to showcase your business and start generating leads.

START BLOGGING A blog is a dedicated page on your website for posts. If you don’t have one for your business, you either don’t have the time to set it up and maintain it or you need some creative tips to get inspired. However, blogging is more than just posting your ideas online – it is a way of communicating with your prospective customers. Blogging is an excellent example of how the power of words can connect with people and how it gives brands and individuals instant and immediate reach. Note: Your website analytics can tell a great story about your site’s performance.

UNDERSTAND SEO Search engine optimization, or SEO, is an area of marketing that lets you gain control of the positions you rank for on Google and the keywords associated with them. SEO can be intimidating but if done correctly with using white hat tactics you can easily leverage it. It’s important to note that SEO is a complex science and one needs a full understanding of how to successfully implement an SEO strategy.

USE SOCIAL MEDIA A whopping (4.5 billion) number of people are on social media. This means only one thing – a potential opportunity for growth. You can leverage platforms like Facebook and Instagram to grow your business, get more followers, or even put upsponsored posts to reach new audiences. The best thing about social media is the ability to share your news and ideas with your target audience and get them involved with your products and services in every possible way.

5 6 7

BUILD GREAT LEAD MAGNETS “What’s a lead magnet?” Essentially, it is an offer that looks irresistible to your users. The right lead magnet presented to the right audience can indeed have explosive results. For instance, if you are a business in the call center industry, a lead magnet titled “10 Call Center Trends You Can’t Ignore” is a topic that your customers won't ignore. However, to get the PDF report, they will have to leave details like their email and phone number. Once you get their details, the win-win is that they will get their report and read about the topic you created. Whether it's a report, e-book, checklist, video, or anything else, a lead magnet is a viable solution for lead generation. A great lead magnet will help you gather information from your audience and build your email list.

USE LINKEDIN IN THE RIGHT WAY •Do you have a video on your LinkedIn business profile? •Are you publishing posts and articles? •Or are you looking for skilled candidates? If no is an answer to all of these questions, you have tremendous opportunity. LinkedIn has great potential, and you should explore it. You can reach a broad audience, especially when one of your posts goes viral.

FOCUS ON EMAIL MARKETING Creative copywriting is best showcased through emails. You can get an extraordinary open rate, get replies from your prospects, or even sell products with promotional emails. However, to be able to email your audience and present them with your new offers, you need to build a list of emails for your newsletter. What happens if social media platforms go down/offline? You don’t own your contacts there and this is why you want to focus on building your email list.

— Devine Solutions Group is a local resource for effective marketing strategies for businesses of all sizes. Beth Devine is one of the most sought-after marketing experts in the Central Valley. She is the founder and principal of Devine Solutions Group, an award-winning digital marketing agency headquartered in Tracy, CA. Connect with Beth by either calling 833-933-8463 or email her at beth@devinesolutionsgroup.com.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

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DECEMBER 2020

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

ACCOLADES

PROMOTIONS, APPOINTMENTS, HONORS, ETC. Local court reporter earns national certification

The National Court Reporters Association, the country’s leading organization representing stenographic court reporters, captioners, and legal videographers, has announced that Taylor Maldonado has earned the nationally Taylor Maldonado recognized Registered Professional Reporter certification, having demonstrated her ability to produce a high-quality verbatim record. RPR certification distinguishes stenographic court reporters as being among the top contributors to the profession in terms of reporting skills, transcript production, reporting and operating practices, and professionalism. Earning RPR credentials is quite an accomplishment given the amount of preparation and knowledge that successful candidates must possess to pass. Those who hold RPR credentials are not only among the top stenographic court reporters in the profession, but they also embark on a path of lifetime learning with continuing education requirements. Maldonado, from Dos Palos, is a member of NCRA and works as a Communication Access Reatime Translation provider. To be recognized as a RPR, candidates must pass a written knowledge test on industry best practices and a skills test that

combines a challenging threshold of both speed and accuracy. RPR-certified court reporters are in high demand among the nation’s premier law firms, courthouses and other scenarios in which a reliable, accurate transcript of proceedings is required. “Having the title of RPR makes me feel accomplished in that any struggle or obstacle I had to overcome, I kept working to make sure that I completed my goals. It is an absolute pleasure to be a member of the NCRA,” Maldonado said.

Retiring cardiac surgeons leave lasting impact on Central Valley The Cardiovascular Institute of Doctors Medical Center would like to congratulate two longtime cardiac surgeons Dr. James who were instruMacMillan mental in the development of the hospital’s heart surgery program: Dr. James MacMillan and Dr. Joe Neal. Both recently retired. Both physicians led the Doctors Dr. Joe Neal Medical Center heart surgery program during the 80s and 90s. Dr. MacMillan came to Modesto

in 1978 and Dr. Neal, who grew up in Modesto, returned in 1982. “While not replaceable, Dr. MacMillan and Dr. Neal leave a legacy of excellence both in the operating room and in the community,” said hospital spokesperson Krista Deans in a press release. “Doctors Medical Center thanks both men for their incredible service to the hospital, patients and community. They have touched so many lives and will be greatly missed by their colleagues.”

Valley First long-time board member honored with prestigious award Valley First Credit Union is proud to celebrate long-term board member Wesley Hall as a recipient of the J. Alvin George Outstanding Volunteer Award from the California and Nevada Credit Union League. The annual award honors significant contributions by people who serve credit unions in volunteer capacities. Hall has been connected to Valley First Credit Union for literally as long as it’s been in existence. While not called Valley First at the time, Wes began lending his time and talent to the then Stanislaus County Employees Federal Credit Union shortly after it was chartered in 1949. His professional roles included administration positions with Stanislaus County Hospital and the Public Health Department but was ultimately most known for his personal connections to people and the volunteer roles he held. “I remember as a kid we’d pick him up from work,” said Gary Hall, Wes’ son and

current Valley First Board Member. “He wouldn’t make it to the car without several people approaching him to talk about their situations and ask advice. I saw him many times open his personal wallet to help.” He brought that same dedication to the credit union as just one more way to represent and assist county employees. After serving on the credit union Supervisory and Loan Committees for nearly 10 years, Wes was elected to the board of directors in 1957. He went on to serve 35 years as Chairman, only stepping down to Vice Chairman in 1994. With 70 years of service, Wes now serves as Director Emeritus, continuing to lend his vast knowledge of leading a successful credit union. His continued dedication shined when the Wesley Hall organization set out to select a new leader in 2019 and set the overall future direction and growth of Valley First. “Wes was a highlight of my interviews with the Valley First Board of Directors. His dedication and knowledge of our industry is a model every credit union should be so lucky to have,” said Valley First President and CEO Kathryn Davis. “I am very grateful for his ongoing contributions.” Hall received his award during the 2020 REACH Conference on November 5, which was held virtually.

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DECEMBER 2020