January 2016
GO FOR IT 1
Hardwood
Reg (sf) Now (sf)
Hickory Oiled Leather $5.29 $3.29 Capistrano Maple Barley $4.99 $2.29 Capistrano Maple Portola $4.99 $2.29 Hand Scraped Hickory Saddle $4.99 $400 Takes All (156.24 sf remaining) Pantagonian Pecan Auburn $5.49 $300 Takes All (122 sf remaining) Maple Bordeux $5.49 $300 Takes All (100 sf remaining) Asheville Oak - Chestnut $5.49 $300 Takes All (105 sf remaining)
Armstrong LVT
Laminate
Reg (sf) Now (sf)
Kings Canyon Cherry $1.79 $1.29 Riverdale Hickory Tellico Hickory $3.99
$2.69
Ornamental Cherry 5� Smooth $2.99
$1.79
Butterscotch Oak $3.29 $1.69 Spiced Merbau $3.29 $1.69 Northhampton Hickory $1.99 $1.39 Artisan Oak $1.99 $1.39 Davenport Red Oak $1.99 $1.39 Mayfield Mahogany $1.99 $1.39
Reg (sf) Now (sf)
Barclay Apple $2.99 $1.39
Rustique Parquet Gunstock $3.99 $0.59 Vieux Parquet Crest Brown $3.99 $0.59 Rustiquet Parquet Spice $3.99 $0.59 Cork Natural $3.99 $0.59 Laplata Cocoa Dust $3.99 $0.59 Mancos Slate Terra $3.99 $0.59 Talus Soft Stone $3.99 $0.59 Natural Creations Eathcuts Stone Tile GD $3.99 $1.59 Nat Creations Brazilian Slate Brown Stone Tile GD $3.99 $1.59 Natural Living Black Walnut Plank GD $1.99 $1.49 Chestnut Amber $1.69 $1.29
Parkside Oak $1.99 $1.39
2 GO FOR IT January January 2016 2016
Abbington Fruitwood $1.99 $1.39 Aged Carob Oak
Reg $2.29
Country Maple $2.29 $100
(148.31 sf remaining)
Takes All
Bennington Cherry Autumn $2.29 $0.99 Northland Birch $2.29 $0.99 Washington Oak $2.29 $0.99
Check out our website for pictures of all of the above products. Instock rugs 50% off regular price.
January2016 2016 GO GO FOR FOR IT IT 3 January
Tolerating Intolerance By Bob Cox As with every other year, we once again had an abundance of headline grabbing events these past twelve months. From Mr. Jenner’s transition to Ms. Jenner and the terrorist attacks in Paris and southern California, newscasters never seem to run out of material to analyze and dissect ad nauseam. Despite how vastly different these subjects appear to be on the surface, they do share a common denominator. The thread that binds these topics together is intolerance. Whenever the subject of Caitlyn Jenner is brought up, how often do we hear people say, “Well, I just don’t understand it”? Perhaps they are being truly sincere and nonjudgmental, but that’s likely not the case. What they are probably communicating is intolerance of the decision that Jenner made. The same can be said of terrorists, but this subject has far more dire consequences. The absolute intolerance of terrorists is probably the greatest threat to the existence of mankind since the nuclear arms race. The offspring of al-Qaeda, Isis appears even more deeply rooted in hatred that’s directed at everyone that does not share their core values and beliefs. Exactly what are those core beliefs? “Well, I just don’t understand it”?
I do have a vague notion as to why terrorists commit crimes against humanity, just like I sort of get why an Olympic gold medal champion would trade in a jock strap for an evening gown. But if I’m truly being honest with myself, then I have to admit my ignorance, “Well, I just don’t understand it”? It’s not because I don’t want understand it; I just simply don’t have all the facts as to why one man chooses to become a woman while another chooses to exterminate everyone that has a different way of life. Deep within the root system of intolerance is a lack of genuine empathy, understanding and fear. I happen to believe that the two greatest driving forces that connect people are the desire to be thoroughly understood and loved unconditionally. When these emotional needs go unmet, terrible things can and do happen. Do we ban the entrance of roughly one-fourth of the planets people (1.6 billion Muslims) from entering our great nation as one of our aspiring politicians has suggested because of an irrational fear that they might be a terrorist? We certainly do if our goal is alienating a significantly larger portion of the population than the tiny number of people that actually have or plan to commit acts of terrorism against us. Donald Trump may be a genius in the world of high finances, but is he wise enough to fire himself for such an implausible and idiotic idea? Stay tuned America for the next episode of Political Apprentice! In the meantime, we do need to support real intelligence to protect ourselves against the ongoing threat of terrorism. And not by electing people that are self governed in intolerance but practice wisdom and intelligence. While many of our citizens weren’t alive when another belligerent leader of a desperate country thought it was a good idea to solve their “Jewish dilemma”. Fortunately, our history books contain volumes of information for a quick refresher course. Once the atrocities of the concentration camps were unveiled for all to see, the world became united as one against the oppressors. For those that love irony, consider this: In order to rise above intolerance, we must resist the urge to be intolerant of those that behave intolerantly. When we become intolerant of intolerance, we also become intolerant, regardless of the subject. That doesn’t mean we open the floodgates and allow everyone to travel in and out of our country without thorough background checks. By having a stronger desire to learn instead of judge, we will have a greater insight into the people we want and need to understand. Perhaps we should start with the man or woman in the mirror. Bob Cox is the founder and publisher of Go For It Magazine. He can be reached by phone at (916) 266-3115. His email address is coxrobert@comcast.net. Go For It Magazine is owned and operated in Rancho Cordova, CA. Copyright © 2016.
4 GO FOR IT January January2016 2016
January January2016 2016 GO GO FOR FOR IT IT 5
Four Stores...Four Generations
Ali Sharif of Sharif Jewelers Celebrates their Newest Store in Carmichael Q: Hi Ali. Can you tell us all about your newest store? A: Yes, we just opened our fourth store in and we are catering to the Carmichael community. We’re a full-service jewelry store, with a master jeweler on site for faster service. We can take care of any repair. We also buy, sell, trade and have a whole new selection of affordable jewelry. Q: What’s it like to be the fourth generation of Sharif’s to work in the jewelry business? A: We’ve been a family run business since I was young. My Great Grandpa started the business and it’s been handed down. It’s just something that we’ve learned to love. My sister Laila is also working in this store and she’s a graduate gemologist, accredited by the prestigious GIA (Gemological Institute of America). Q: How do you set yourself apart from other jewelry stores? A: I would say customer service because it’s family-owned. We treat everyone like family by offering them gourmet coffee, baklava and 100% attention so that we can give them exactly what they want. We have jewelers at all our locations that are able to get things done faster for you. We also have the largest selection because we have four stores. Q: What’s it like being the son of a local icon and celebrity?
6 GO FOR IT
January 2016
A: I don’t know about celebrity (laughs) but it is nice. Growing up, it was nice because I’d go out to dinner or to a movie with my dad and people would recognize him. They’ll be like oh my God, it is Sharif! I have to introduce you to my friends over here. Q: Is it really true that you don’t have to be rich and famous to shop at Sharif? A: That is definitely true. When my dad first started back in Sacramento nearly 40 years ago, he really wanted to cater to everyone. No matter what you were looking for, he just wanted to make you feel famous. But you don’t have to be in order to get something you love at your price point. Q: Do you offer financing in your stores? A: Yes, we have a couple different financing options. We work with the biggest banks and offer special interest free financing. Some of the specials running are six months same as cash, so you can finance your purchase for six months with no money down. Q: You sound like you’re very passionate about this business. Is that true? A: Yes, I love jewelry but I really love watches. We do a lot of custom work too and that’s something I really enjoy. My sister graduated with the credentials for CAD (Computer Aided Design.) She designs the piece and our jewelers cast them. The jewelry is truly customized and unique.
January2016 2016 GO GO FOR FOR IT IT 7 January
Extraordinary Kindness An Interview with Nicole Woodward, Co-Owner of Arden Park Florist By Bob Cox It’s not every day during my travels as an outside advertising sales rep that I run across a genuinely warm and friendly business owner, let alone three. Why? I think it’s probably because the environment of running a successful small business in the 21st century is loaded with as much danger as our ancestors faced centuries ago when they tamed the great American frontier. Okay, so today’s business owners aren’t up against wild mountain lions and grizzly bears, but they do have their fair share of dangerous encounters that threaten their ability to sustain a successful business, like competition from other small businesses, chain stores and the internet. They even have to face the daily threat posed by outside sales representatives like me! Salespeople are often perceived as a threat because we ask for the two things that every business owner protects; their time and their money.
When I call on a business for the first time, I typically get a reception that’s lukewarm at best, so, when I call on a business like Arden Park Florist and run across three of the nicest people I’ve ever met, it really has a positive impact on my outlook. I’m not just excited to have Arden Park Florist as a client but also because I have an extraordinary florist I can refer to family and friends! I recently sat down with Nicole Woodward, and not one, but two of her twin baby girls to learn more about Arden Park Florist. Q: How and when did your business begin? A: Our family started in 1976 with nurseries and wholesale runs. My dad started it and is still involved. There was always a florist here and then in 1981, he opened Arden Park Florist. Our whole family owns it, including my mom, dad, brother, me and my husband. Q: Tell us about your childhood growing up in a family run business? A: My parents brought me into work when I was two weeks old and I came here every day after school. I attended college at UC Davis but I decided to still work here. My dad would ask, “Why are you here? Don’t you have class?” Yeah but it’s not for an hour and a half and I have this order I need to make (laughs)! Q: What do you think makes Arden Park Florist so different and unique? A: Probably because our family has its hands on everything and there is always a family member here. We know most of our customers by name. Q: I imagine you’re helping the kids and grandkids of your original customers. Is that right? A: Yes and now a lot of the older people will ask me, “Where is your mother? Does she know you’re here”? Yep, she knows I’m here (laughs). Some people will call my mom at home and joke that I didn’t give them a good enough deal. And my mom will laugh back, “Well I should be yelling at her because she didn’t charge you enough!” Q: You also have a unique and extensive assortment of gifts. A: We try to have something for everybody. When a guy is in trouble you could sell him anything (laughs)! We have roses, candy and jewelry. We can incorporate any gift in our store into a floral arrangement and then send it wherever they want with same-day deliveries everywhere.
8 GO FOR IT
January 2016
Q: That says a lot about the relationships that you cultivated over the past 34 years. A: We have a customer whose daughter just got married in Santa Cruz and we tracked down everything there and designed all the arrangements at the hotel. Q: How old were you when you first learn how to design floral arrangements? A: There are stories that old man Cordy used to kick me out of the store for selling flowers when I was three years old. He would take me to the butcher counter and feed me. He once said, “If your daughter keeps selling flowers over here I’m just going to get her fatter”! I’d make little arrangements and go out to Arden Fair Mall and try to sell them. My brother was the same way. He’s a photographer and can do it all. Q: What is your brother (Nicholas) role in the business? A: He can do everything, including designing, order processing and logistics. He runs the warehouse and schedules deliveries. He decorate houses for parties and events. We’ll tag team and do the flowers and the photography for weddings.
as Granite Bay and Elk Grove because they want our customized corsages. Q: The energy in your shop is always warm and friendly. It just feels like everybody’s family. A: Yeah that’s my Aunt Ree back there. She’s not my real aunt, but my mom and Ree have been friends since they were 15. Her daughter is three years older than me, so we grew up together. Q: What’s been your greatest challenge and how did you overcome it? A: I think the hardest thing for me and our family was when I was in college and my grandmother passed away unexpectedly in Mexico while on vacation. My mom, my grandma and I were inseparable. I stopped going to school while my mom took care of my Grandpa and helped get him situated. So, that’s how we do it as a family. We just do what we have to do. We try to help everybody we can. Editor’s notes: For more information about Arden Park Florist, stop by their store at 564 La Sierra Dr. In Sacramento, visit their website at www.ardenparkflorist.com or call (916) 489-7602.
Q: What type of photography does Nicholas specialize in? A: He mostly does on-site photography but he occasionally does some studio work as well. He likes to have more of the natural settings, because you just can’t get the same effect with studio work; it looks too generic. He’s also very good at editing. Q: Are there any other services you offer? A: We often help coordinate weddings by creating a timeline while working with all the vendors as well as the venue. Most of our weddings are from referrals. We also help kids during prom and homecoming from as far away
January 2016
GO FOR IT 9
10 GO FOR IT
January 2016
By Dr. Beth Blakely My patients often ask me why I became a chiropractor. I’ve had a lifelong interest in taking care of the body naturally. As a kid, my grandmother and father both enjoyed great success with regular visits to a chiropractor in the small town where I grew up. My dad was injured in several auto accidents and his chiropractor was the only person who really helped him. Q: How did your interests evolve from chiropractic to also include holistic care? A: What I’ve seen over the years is an obvious change in our environment. We’re exposed to a lot of toxic chemicals that are really affecting our immune systems and our digestive systems. I realized that for some patients, treating the spine was all they needed but there were always those few people that just didn’t seem to get well. Those were the ones that bothered me and I had to figure out why. Q: Can a toxic environment deplete or destroy a person’s health? A: Absolutely! We know now that so many health issues are caused by depleted immune systems. Another area of the body I pay close attention to is the digestive system and how it affects our immune system. I saw a huge void in treatment protocol with other doctors. Q: What happens during the first visit? A: The initial visit takes about 45 minutes to an hour. I like to sit down and talk to the patient, get to know them and have a thorough understanding of everything that’s
going on in their life. I have a thorough questionnaire and I request records from other facilities because most patients have been everywhere else. Q: How is your approach different from conventional medicine? A: Conventional medicine wants to give you pills and perform surgery. I want you to get well and let your body heal on its own. I always do a thorough consultation, examination and x-rays if they’re indicated, along with the health appraisal questionnaire. Q: What are the main things you look for when you do a holistic evaluation on a new patient? A: There are four things I look for: 1. Undetected Nerve Damage. 2. Nutritional Deficiencies. 3. Hormonal Imbalances. 4. Toxicity. I’ve treated many people that have undetected nerve damage after they have been injured in automobile accidents. They think they’re okay, but they can suffer years down the road from the degenerative process that started with the accident. Q: Do you offer specific help for people that are involved in auto accidents and personal injury? A: Yes. I treat a lot of personal injury cases with great success. Editor’s notes: Dr. Beth Blakely is a chiropractor that specializes in holistic health care practices. She can be reached at (916) 944-1444.
January January2016 2016 GO GO FOR FOR IT IT 11
Making Dream Kitchens Come True By Bob Cox In the 24 years I’ve been in the advertising business, it’s very rare to run across a small business that’s been around for as long as 10 years. With so many big box stores and corporate chains dominating our economic environment by offering rock bottom prices, how are small businesses able to compete? Some, like Loomis Cabinets in Rancho Cordova compete very well and have been doing so for over 50 years, which was even before I was born! I spoke recently with Mike Loomis, the owner of Loomis Cabinets to get his secrets of success. Q: How did you get started in the cabinet industry? A: My dad was actually in the cabinet business and our family has been in the cabinet business since 1960. We were in the manufacturing end and then in 1996, we transitioned to factory built cabinets - custom and plain modular cabinets.
Q: When did your dad start Loomis Cabinets and how did you get involved? A: He started it in 1960 and I took over in 1980 because he was retiring and got involved in homebuilding. We started making cabinets for homeowners and then we landed a subdivision contract. We expanded from there and were probably the number one manufacturer in Sacramento for a number of years. About 1995, I got tired of the headaches of owning a large business, so we got rid of that basically. Q: How many employees did you have at your peak? A: We would have up to 50 in the summertime. My brother also manufactures cabinets here in Sacramento and he was up to about that number as well. Q: What makes Loomis Cabinets stand out over other cabinet companies? A: We have the largest showroom in Sacramento (3,000 square feet) and a lot of experience. The people we have here, when compared to Home Depot or Lowe’s, is like a college professor versus a fifth grader. Our expertise about the products we sell and the size of our showroom is unlike anything else in Sacramento. I think the second biggest showroom in Sacramento is probably about a third of the size. Q: Does it make a big difference when the customer can actually see the cabinets in person instead of a catalog? A: Yes and that’s the secret to our success. The showroom is so large and they can see all the products, which will allow them to make an educated choice. A lot of other
12 GO FOR IT
January 2016
guys have a couple of displays and a few samples, but if the customer is looking for a lot of options, they may have to wait two or three weeks to get the sample from a small showroom. Q: Does Loomis Cabinets offer anything else besides kitchen and bathroom cabinets? A: Yes, we have several cheaper lines of cabinets that can be used for the garage and we also sell countertops. We can do the whole project turnkey, part of the project or just sell the cabinets. Q: Does Loomis Cabinets remodel entire kitchens and bathrooms? A: Yes.
laptop that she takes home and works seven days a week. During a lot of the projects, she will have a glass of wine with the customers after it’s finished and they tell her how much they love the whole project. I think from our standpoint, that’s probably the reason we do it. Editor’s notes: For more information about Loomis Cabinets, visit their beautiful showroom at 11369 Sunrise Gold Circle in Rancho Cordova. They are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays. Their phone number is (916) 638-5655 and their website is loomiscabinetsales.com.
Q: Did you have any fears or reservations when you got started in the business? A: The last two or three years my dad was doing more work building spec homes and wasn’t into doing cabinets anymore. I got married and needed a way to make a living. I knew how to make cabinets, so I took over the business and built it back up again. My son, in the next five years, is probably going to be sitting here. Q: Are there any personal experiences that you’ve had that could inspire other people? A: I’m not sure if this is answering the question or not, but Jean, our head designer, just loves her work. She has a
January 2016
GO FOR IT 13
Conquering Fear with Confidence An Interview with Avon Franchise Owner Rebecca Alejandre By Bob Cox Once upon a time in a not so far away land lived a woman named Rebecca who lacked the confidence to do the things that many of us in sales take for granted. The one thing that frightened her most was making sales calls to strangers, either in person or on the phone. The risk of being rejected filled her with a fear so great; Rebecca would find any excuse to avoid making any calls at all. During this time, Rebecca had a couple of good friends that shared a common interest: looking their best. One day, her friends invited her to join their company by becoming an independent Avon representative. Rebecca had been in other multi-level marketing groups and was curious to try it out as a hobby, so she agreed. As time went by, an Avon Manager took an interest in Rebecca and made her an offer she wouldn’t refuse. Rebecca loved the products, but wasn’t able to pay for them, so the manager said that if she invited her friends to join the company, she could get Avon products for free. Rebecca was more than happy to introduce her family and friends to the company and for awhile, everyone was happy. Happy that is, until Rebecca had talked to ev-
14 GO FOR IT
January 2016
eryone she knew. In order to continue to get the products she loved, she would need to find other people to talk to... people she didn’t know...strangers! Rebecca would have to face her overwhelming fear of cold calling. Good fortune would smile down upon Rebecca as she found people who believed in her when she wasn’t able to believe in herself. As Rebecca faced her fears and made more and more cold calls, her fears slowly disappeared and her confidence rose higher. So did her joy and overall quality of life. Today, Rebecca Alejandre is a very successful Avon representative. She owns her own Avon Store & Training Center here in Sacramento and she’s in the top 20 in the entire company in total sales! She has purchased dream homes, luxury cars and visited exotic locations around the world, all because of her thriving Avon business. I spoke with Rebecca to learn more about her amazing life and business. Q: When did you first become an Avon representative? A: I’ve been in Avon for about 25 years. I had always loved Avon, so bringing in friends that also loved Avon in exchange for products was a no-brainer. It was easy, fun
and the motivation I needed to get started.
have products that help people with everything from minor aches and pains to more serious ailments and chronic pain. If you’re not happy with the way you feel, come in for a free consultation.
Q: What was your life like before you joined Avon? A: Not good. I just didn’t have confidence in myself and that preQ: Why did you get involved with vented me from really enjoying my DoTerra? life. Fortunately, the manager, along A: A friend of mine was going with the friend that recruited me saw through a lot of emotional problems the value in me that I didn’t see in myand was very depressed. After about self. After awhile, I started to receive Victor and Rebecca Alejandre. 6 or 7 months, I started seeing a change checks and they kept getting bigger. in her. She had lost weight and wasn’t I saw that my business was growing and I said to myself, stressed out anymore. I asked what was going on and she “Wow I’m really doing this”! told me she was using DoTerra essential oils. Q: What are some of the newest and hottest products that Avon is offering now? A: We have an incredible skin care line. Several other companies have tried to copy our lines but they can’t duplicate them because of our patents. These skin care lines help remove wrinkles while making your skin look healthier and more youthful.
Q: Have you used the product and does it really work? A: Yes! My husband Victor had a chronic cough for years and shortly after he applied the oil, the coughing stopped! Next, she gave me some oil for various aches, pains and arthritis and it has helped me tremendously. I can’t even imagine my life without my oils!
Q: Can you tell it’s about the business opportunities with Avon? A: Sure. The cost to become an independent Avon representative is just $15. This is a one-time fee and there are no other hidden costs. You don’t have to stock up on products. You can order as you sell.
Q: What are the business opportunities for people interested in selling DoTerra? A: There is a $35 fee that’s charged once a year. Like Avon, you don’t have to stock up on inventory in advance. You simply place your orders once a month and there are no minimum orders. We have very generous compensation plans for sales and recruitment. In our training facility, we offer comprehensive training and support. Many people can’t imagine that they can make their dreams come true, but if they have someone that’s showing them how to do it, their dreams can become real. I believe in this business and I believe that anybody can do it!
Q: Can you tell us about your store and training facility? A: Our Avon store and training center is centrally located here in Sacramento. We carry many lines of Avon products for our customers and well as other independent Avon representatives. People can come here to get training, support and products. Avon has been in business for over 130 years and I think that really speaks for itself. Q: You recently joined up with another company called DoTerra. Can you tell us about them? A: DoTerra is a health and wellness company that specializes in essential oils that help people feel better. They
Editor’s notes: Rebecca Alejandre is an independent Avon representative and DoTerra representative. Her store and training facility is located at 5159 Madison Ave. in Sacramento (One block East of Auburn Bl. and her phone number is (916) 331-1001. Her Avon website is www.youravon.com/rdorsey and her DoTerra website is www.oilsbyrebecca.com.
January 2016
GO FOR IT 15
The Carmichael Trailblazer
An Interview with Dee Rouse Huth, Founder of California Institute of Jewelry Training Q: What have been the biggest recent changes in your industry? A: It actually is surprising to me that I ever would spend this many years in my profession as our graduates have done very well. The population has been driving towards self employment and self creativity. A lot of people want to work in a position where they can use their creativity and passion. The fact is that many jewelers are completely happy with the position of being a jewelry repair person while others want to do their own thing as an independent designer; many of my students have done just that. Todd is one of the finest; he works downtown while Michael and David are doing custom work for many local jewelers as well. There are still many that want to work in a jewelry store and earn more experience before setting out on their own.
top of his roof. He talked about his experience here and his new career. He left a career with UPS while in his mid 40’s and thanked our instructors and staff that run this amazing school (CIJT). Ronnie attended the course for 22 weeks, the equivalent of three sessions of six weeks; his work is outstanding and he has three interviews in Reno next month.
Q: Have a lot of your students been able to secure careers in the jewelry industry upon graduation? A: Oh yes. Some go on find themselves a studio of their own or open their own jewelry store. Some students in town now own their own jewelry stores. One here in Dee Rouse Huth, Founder of CIJT. Carmichael was owned by Mr. Bradshaw, who has since deceased. Our students hold positions in Rogers, Jared’s, Grebetus, Adams, Shane Co. as well as Ropers in Auburn. Our current instructors over Q: What kind of feedback are you getting from your the past years have graduated from CIJT and our current students? instructor graduated from here 35 years ago. He’s had an A: Our students love us! We recently got a fabulous inspiring career as a custom design jeweler and wanted to review this week from one student. He said, “I’m on top share some of his knowledge. of the world”, and there’s a picture with him standing on Q: How have people learned about CIJT? A: We’ve been very low-key regarding advertising. For awhile, we didn’t even have a sign on our building. We were not eager to encourage visitors unless they had professional business with us. We had no time to spend working and interrupting our day’s work, which was 4.5 days per week with weekends, in class time and often in the evenings with weekends and holidays as our only free time. Q: What do you think makes CIJT’s educational experience so rewarding, impactful and unique? A: The length of training of the Jewelry Arts program. It is a series of four sessions of intensive training. Each session is a stand-alone course of six weeks, where our students can obtain gainful employment in the industry in some areas. To go further (which most students do), we offer advanced courses include soldering, fabricating, stone settings, advanced setting, design, CAD (Computer Aided Design), and other electives if they wish. They are all in short sessions with up to six weeks. The same goes for gemology and appraisal. When our students complete these sessions, they have a very good grasp of reality and what it takes to work as a professional. We are known for the quality work of our students, along with our length of time we’ve been in business. We have been a full time business with no closing in 37 years and a track record that is proven with each student. We definitely do not, at any time, tell our students that they know it all because they don’t; they have the beginnings of a fine journeyman goldsmith. It does take some time to become an accomplished goldsmith and it is no different than any other profession; fine skills take practice. We have never closed our doors during a business week and remain open fifty two weeks per year. 16 GO FOR IT
January 2016
Q: How does the future look for those who want to enjoy a career in jewelry making? A: It’s never been brighter! A lot of kids right now want to create art with jewelry. Not long ago; many parents did not consider an education in the jewelry business. Now kids go to jewelry making school, art, music and drama schools because they have a passion for it and we do well with developing their passions by helping them excel in a career or avocation that was once considered frivolous. Today, that’s just not true.
A: Yes, I assisted opening schools in Santa Barbara and Pasadena. We then opened a full and operating 5,000 square foot school in Mumbai, India in 2004; it is a beautiful school and continues to be one of India’s best. They operated using CIJT curriculum, including Jewelry Arts, Jewelry Sales and Management, Gem Identification and CIJT training of instructors. I went to India for six weeks and stayed until it was finished. I got it all set up and trained Jewelry making workshops are available all the teachers. It was one of the most at CIJT. adventurous times of my life because I went to India by myself, knew no one there, was relatively fearless and never looked back. It was a wonderful experience. I went anywhere I wanted to go and Q: CIJT also offers workshops for people that ensaw all the amazing sites, with the aid of cabs and drivers. joy jewelry making as a hobby along with a full service And the best part was that I went every year for four years jewelry store. Can you tell us about those two aspects and the school was and continues to be an excellent avenue of your business? for continuing education for the Indian economy. A: Yes, the jewelry we carry has been created by our students and employees. We offer workshops for everyone Q: Do you have any other daring adventures or that loves to make jewelry, from weekend hobby enthusichallenges you’re willing to share with us? asts to career oriented individuals. Many take additional A: Still thinking on that one, for sure, I never stop planclasses and often begin to look at jewelry making as a caning. reer. There are many with different professions who take gemology for a varied list of reasons and jewelry appraisal Editor’s notes: For more information about CIJT, as well. visit their new location at 4854 San Juan Ave. in Fair Oaks. Their phone number is (916) 967-2211 and their Q: Have you ever embarked on any other daring website is www.jewelrytraining.com. adventures outside of Carmichael?
The Art Starts Here...
Have you heard of that phrase? (Not likely, as I just made it up). It means that the source of beauty and creativity begins with each of us. Even if you don’t consider yourself an artistic person, you can support and enjoy the creativity of others and appreciate their contributions. One place the “art starts” is at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center where the prestigious American Watercolor Society will exhibit 40 pieces selected from nearly 1200 submissions from around the world. This exhibit is touring museums and galleries across the country and will be in Carmichael for 7 weeks so we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to see world-class art in your own backyard! And stay tuned for more notices of where the “art starts”. Art expresses and nurtures our humanity, ergo we ought to have more of it around! Check my blog at BobsPocket.com for background stories and the start of an art revolution!
Kathleen Conover, “Ageless Ingenuity” Zhou Tianya, “Go to Town”
American Watercolor Society Exhibit Feb. 20 through April 9, 2016 10am – 4pm (Wheelchair accessible) Sacramento Fine Arts Center 5330-B Gibbons Dr., Carmichael, CA Donation: $10 is appreciated Groups Welcome: Bus parking available AWS.BobsPocket.com
* Visit BobsPocket.com for Bob’s bio, past blogs, and to learn more about events & organizations. January 2016
GO FOR IT 17
You’re Never Too Young! An Interview with Annette Arent, Founder of E-Z Living Cleaning By Bob Cox
them”! I asked Annette a few more questions about her business and here’s what she had to say.
When Annette Arent was just getting her feet wet in high school at the ripe old age of 15, a golden opportunity presentQ: How long did it take for you to ed itself that would forever change her convert those four initial clients into a destiny. She was going to school full time full time business? during the day and working evenings A: Several years later, I had a baby and weekends at a Mexican restaurant in and decided that I better get a full time Rancho Cordova, so she was already bus- The owners of E-Z Living Cleaning: job that offered benefits and security. I ier that most of her peers. How could she Kristy Skondras and Annette Arent. ended up working at the Sacramento possibly take on any more work? Bee for a few years while still cleaning And then one day opportunity knocked. The mother those client’s houses. The Bee didn’t put me on full time, of her sister-in-law had decided to retire from house cleanso I gave them an ultimatum: “Either you give me full-time ing and asked Annette if she would be able to handle the work with benefits or I am going to do my cleaning fullbusiness. Most people, especially the average teenager, time. They said no and that’s what ended up happening”. would’ve turned down the extra work with such a heavy schedule, but Annette was not like most teenagers. Long Q: How did your business grow so quickly from partstory short, Annette rolled up her sleeves and gratefully actime work to a full-time business with employees? cepted the challenge. A: People talk and if you’re good, honest, and reliable, Because she had the insight to seize opportunity when they will come. And when I kept getting referred to more it came to her, Annette has enjoyed a thriving and successand more clients, I knew I needed help. So I thought,” I’m ful family run business for more than 30 years. How exactly smart enough to teach people how to do this, so I hired did Annette parlay those initial four clients into a prospera few people, including my niece Kristy, who is now my ous enterprise that now employs dozens of people? In Anlifeline and another business owner. When I first hired her, nette’s own words, “By not cutting corners and cleaning she worked during summer vacations and around the
18 GO FOR IT
January 2016
Christmas holidays. From there it just kind of snowballed.
100% happy when we leave your house.
Q: What are the things that set E-Z Living Cleaning apart from other house cleaning services? A: I would say that we really care about our clients and employees. We care about having repeat customers. We really strive for excellence so our clients invite us back. We’ve had clients who have left and then come back, saying that the quality and the honesty just weren’t there with the other company.
Q: Aside from house cleaning, what other services do you provide? A: We offer janitorial cleaning, window washing, carpet cleaning, post construction clean-up and room by room organization. I go out on most organizational jobs with one or two other people because it’s a gift to know how to organize correctly. For a lot of people, it is a very overwhelming task.
Q: Do you have any clients that are your personal favorites? A: We love all of our clients, but I find it extremely rewarding to help people that no longer have the physical ability to clean their homes anymore. Our seniors and disabled clientele are very near and dear to my heart because they really appreciate the extra mile we go to give them a shiny clean home. There’s nothing better than coming home to a clean house. You just feel clean on the inside and everything is better. For these reasons, we offer a $10 discount for all seniors (age 65 plus), military and disabled people.
Q: Are you flexible when it comes to special requests? A: Yes, some of our clients like us to really focus in on certain aspects of the home and we’re happy to do that for them. We have some clients that want us to spend a little bit more time cleaning a specific area of the house. We currently have a client that asks us to clean the fireplace for them every spring. We try to always go the extra mile.
Q: Do you assign one individual to clean a home? A: No, we have a crew that comes in and cleans an entire home in about two hours. Our crews really work great together because they are quick and thorough. If we assigned just one person to a house, they might need an entire day to clean. With our system, the homeowner can leave for a short while and come home to a sparkling clean home.
Editor’s notes: For more information about E-Z Living Cleaning, call them at (916) 381-5490 or visit their website at www.ezlivingcleaning.com.
Q: And you guys never cut corners, do you? A: No, we don’t cut corners, we clean them!
Q: How many crews do you employ? A: We have five crews now that go out Monday through Friday from eight in the morning until four in the afternoon, cleaning one house after another. There is always a manager on the crew and 90% of the time there’s even an assistant manager. Q: How do you compete with competitors that charge lower prices? A: There are a lot of housecleaners out there and some are able to charge less by cutting corners here and there. Are they licensed, bonded and insured like us? Do they carry workmen’s compensation? If they don’t and one of their house cleaners slips and falls or has some other accident in your home, you might end up in a nasty and expensive lawsuit! If you are tempted to hire a cheaper service, they are usually cheaper for a reason. Maybe they miss cleaning things or break an item without telling you. Even worse, they might have a dishonest employee that steals a valuable heirloom that’s irreplaceable. Is it worth sleepless nights worrying about the stranger in your home? I believe that it’s better to pay a little bit more and get the job done right. Q: How often do you have to handle a mistake? A: Fortunately, not very often. But on those rare occasions when we do slip up, we will come back and fix the problem immediately. We want you to be January 2016
GO FOR IT 19
Car Tech Talk Winter Maintenance Tips By Dave Trux The time of year is upon us when temperatures suddenly drop near or below freezing at night, especially in the foothills and mountains. The unfortunate side affect to many vehicles is the failure of plastic radiators and overflow tanks. While the operating temperature of the engine remains fairly constant, the big difference is the much lower temperature that the system starts out at. When the temperature is low, the components shrink in size. This temperature differential increases the amount of expansion, which causes stress in the tanks and overflow container. After about 80,000 miles, this stress will cause the plastic to tear. Unlike metal, which tends to fail over time, the plastic fails more dramatically and usually with little to no warning. We recommend replacing these parts as a preventative measure at 80,000 miles to avoid a costly repair. A costly repair can include tow fees, loss of work and worst case scenario: an engine destroyed! If cared for properly, a cooling system will be trouble free for approximately six or seven years. As cars become more high tech, both in materials and design, the maintenance needs change.
20 GO FOR IT January January2016 2016
BMW’s and other German built cars are designed to last for 400,000 to 500,000 miles, mostly unheard of with domestic and Japanese cars. In spite of this fact, I’ve found it difficult to convince many people that it’s worth keeping a BMW with over 200,000 miles. We are bombarded with domestic auto manufacturers telling us our two or three year old car isn’t cool anymore. They even entice us to trade in, even if it means we roll our debt into the new car. Simply amortizing the cost of your BMW over time will show a drastic savings. One report found that by simply keeping your car an additional two-and-a-half years over the national average will result in savings. If you buy a car designed to last a long time, your savings are even greater. I recommend that you buy the best quality you can afford, maintain it properly and over time you will even save money. If you buy a BMW, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and then drive a car you can be proud of. While you’re at it, enjoy the extra money in your bank account! Editor’s notes: Dave Trux is the owner of Valley Motorwerks. He can be reached at his shop, which is located at 11403 White Rock Road in Rancho Cordova, CA. His phone number is (916) 636-9526 and his website is www.vmwerks.com.
Repair or Replace...Game On! By Alika Salazar While we are best known for fixing high tech gadgets like mobile phones, tablets and iPads, we also have a strong and proven track record for repairing gaming systems. That should be great news for those if you who got your favorite game for Christmas, only to find out that your system, without warning, has died and gone to high-tech heaven. The most common malfunction we see on video gaming systems occurs in the disk drive. Disk drive failure occurs when it is no longer able to read the games. When this unfortunate incident occurs, you only have three options if you choose to game on: 1. Buy a brand new system. 2. Buy a used system or 3. Repair your existing equipment. Buying a New System: A new system will likely give you several months of uninterrupted gaming glory, but the cost to achieve this is at its highest. New gaming systems go for around $400, so it makes sense to consider either buying a used system or fixing your current unit and spending the money you will save on even more of your favorite games! Buying a Used System: You can most likely replace your unit with a used system at a fraction of the cost of a new system. On the downside, you could end up with the same problem and that could happen at any time.
Fixing Your Existing System: If you have a relatively new system or a strong attachment to your old system, you will be happy to hear that it’s quite affordable to fix the problem. The labor fee we charge to fix a video gaming system starts at about $50–$75, plus parts. To replace a disk drive, the average cost ranges from $100–$150. The final price will depend on the age, make and model of your unit. If you decide to repair your existing unit, you will not only save money but also help preserve our environment by keeping one less item out of our growing landfills. PS: Speaking of saving our environment: If you have a broken hoverboard, bring it to us. Perhaps you jumped off a curb (like me) and it snapped in two on the inside. If this or something similar has happened, do not dispair. Just bring it to us and we will fix it for a fraction of the cost to replace it with a brand new unit. The cost of a new hoverboard is $499 plus tax while the cost to fix it is around $100 to $150. Save big and ride on! Editor’s notes: Alika Salazar is the owner of iParts Phone Repairs. He can be reached at (916) 936-9316.
January January2016 2016 GO GO FOR FOR IT IT 21
22 GO FOR IT January January2016 2016
January January2016 2016 GO GO FOR FOR IT IT 23
24 GO FOR IT
January 2016