North Bay Business Journal

HAY

First principle of basic estate planning: Get started

October 31st, 2011

egardless of the source of motivation, all adults should have an estate plan notwithstanding their wealth, marital status or parental status. It is never too soon to start planning.
Investors, if you qualify and act now, you pay 0% tax

October 31st, 2011

Although most entrepreneurs and investors know that gains recognized on the sale of stock held for more than one year will be taxed at capital gains rates, many are not aware that gains recognized on the sale of certain types of stock could be entirely free from federal tax, but only if they act fast.
Why what happens in Greece matters to you

October 31st, 2011

Greece is a small country, 6,000 miles away with only 11 million people. How can what happens to Greece have any impact on the United States? The answer lies in the concept of globalization, which means that economies around the world are now interconnected, such that events in far off places have impacts here at home.
Barry Schuler: For the future to be ours, ‘become an education activist’

October 17th, 2011

It may seem a bit cliché, but I am a classic American Dream story. Very humble upbringing with a strong family emphasis on education. I was encouraged to pursue my dreams (as long as I became a doctor or lawyer first). I have been lucky enough to have been born during a period of history where technology has advanced more in a couple of decades than in the five prior millennia. Through the entrepreneurial formula of vision + hard work + blood sweat and tears, I have achieved more than I ever thought possible, and now get the reward of living in the North Bay, and being a farmer.
Tom Scott, Oliver’s Market: Be in touch with your customers

October 17th, 2011

Oliver’s Markets operates three supermarkets in Sonoma County. We are locally owned and offer a wide variety natural and conventional groceries, high quality perishables and restaurant-quality prepared foods; focusing on local products whenever possible.
Honore Comfort, Sonoma County Vintners: ‘Not just another wine tasting’

October 17th, 2011

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself ? Sonoma County Vintners Executive Director since 2006. I have collaborated with multiple local organizations on complex projects. Working with the Winegrape Commission, I created the Presidents’ Council, a body of community and industry leaders that meets regularly to address issues and opportunities that support [...]
Supervisor Efren Carrillo: ‘Great challenge lies with the achievement gap’

October 17th, 2011

Efren Carrillo is the Fifth District Supervisor for Sonoma County and is the current chairman of the board.
John Sawyer, Santa Rosa councilman: Making it ‘the city that can’

October 17th, 2011

SANTA ROSA – John Sawyer, a fourth generation Santa Rosa native whose family came to Sonoma County in the 1890s, has served on the Santa Rosa City Council since 2004.
Brian Sobel, Sobel Communications: State needs to be more business friendly

October 17th, 2011

Attracting new business in a tough economic climate, along with retaining our core businesses in the face of competition from out of the area, including from other states, many of which are actively recruiting in California.
Tom Duryea, CEO, Summit State Bank: Making the most of a very special place

October 17th, 2011

Increasingly, I see the more and more economic vitality from those businesses that are more lifestyle oriented. Sonoma County is becoming increasingly driven and transformed by individuals seeking a piece or being part of our unique lifestyle. Sonoma County has so much to offer, with our premium wineries, local produce and quality food, good climate and even our appealing cycling culture that is among the best of the world. Tourists are coming in increasing numbers to spend time in Sonoma County. We are attracting many who are moving here full-time to experience the bounty that makes up Sonoma County.
SMART will be a jobs engine for the North Bay

October 17th, 2011

When voters of Marin and Sonoma approved SMART in 2008 to fund a passenger rail line between Sonoma and Marin Counties, they did so with substantial support from the business community. Why? Because business leaders in the North Bay recognized that SMART is good for the economy of the North Bay.
We never stop fighting the same battles, but we can do so more skillfully

October 10th, 2011

The magical mystery tour continues with another retrospective about some of the subjects covered in my first 100 columns … seriously? … the “first 100”? (Is that a threat or a promise?)
Food bank building purchase ‘necessary and historic endeavor’

October 10th, 2011

A couple days after the papers reported that the Redwood Empire Food Bank is purchasing a larger warehouse for $5 million, I opened my email to find a subject line reading, “Extravagant Expansion.” The message came from a generous donor who questioned how much of his donation is actually going to food bank programs for hungry people and how much is gong to buy a new building.
Want something to pass along or sell? You’d better insure it

October 3rd, 2011

Many business owners consider their biggest assets to include tangible items such as: buildings, inventory, vehicles, etc. However, it is the owners and key employees that are the most valuable and impactful to the company’s bottom line. What would happen to the company should an owner employee become disabled, want to retire or have an untimely death? How can you protect your business’s most valuable asset? The answers to these questions must be part of your overall risk management.
Santa Rosa use-permit policy needs streamlining

October 3rd, 2011

There are hundreds of factors involved in coordinating our community’s efforts to continue to develop an economic environment that is powerful, accelerating, and moving forward. We all want innovative ideas and efficient programs that will positively affect and empower Sonoma County’s economic engine.
New California short-sale law can help homeowners

September 19th, 2011

Short sales are increasing as a percentage of home sales, according to recent industry statistics. It’s not surprising since a successful short sale enables the distressed homeowner to sell her home for market value — even if it’s less than the loans against it — with lender consent, and move forward without a foreclosure on her record. Better yet, Fannie Mae has stated that you will be able to obtain a home loan five years earlier if your exit strategy is a short sale instead of a foreclosure.
Three Strategies to Selecting Winning Accounting Software

September 12th, 2011

The main aim of any accounting software is its use as a business management tool in assessing the fiscal health of one’s business. For business owners, selecting the right accounting software means the ability to post transactions in a way that’s meaningful to your business. This translates into greater clarity into financial results and the ability to create operational reports that help managers run the business.
Licensed private fiduciary an option for estates

September 12th, 2011

In a recent article I outlined the importance of selecting a trustee and gave several ideas for making that very important decision. Some options were using a family member, a bank or a trusted advisor who already has a relationship established like an accountant or attorney. Another option well-deserving of a separate article is that of using a California Licensed Private Fiduciary as trustee. While this industry has been around for decades, licensing requirements and professional associations for fiduciaries have arisen in the last five to 10 years, adding additional assurances to the field.
Sustaining our manufacturing sector is critical

September 5th, 2011

The inaugural North Bay Business Journal Manufacturing Awards event on July 19 demonstrated how important manufacturing is to our North Bay economy. It also highlighted the challenges these companies face. The business community must come together to support and help sustain and grow these businesses, many of which have been operating here successfully for generations.
Does economic volatility and market change signal opportunity for start-ups?

August 22nd, 2011

An article in the Wall Street Journal entitled “Shrinking in a Bad Economy: America’s Entrepreneur Class” recently caught my attention. The author asked whether or not the damage done by our weak economy would have a long-lasting effect and thus discourage the next generation of entrepreneurs.