The Karate Kid Turns 30: Ralph Macchio Then & Now

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He may be all grown up today, but for many of us, Ralph Macchio will always be a kid… The Karate Kid. Ralph George Macchio, Jr. was born in Huntington, New York in 1961 to an Italian-American family. He got his start as a teenager, appearing in campaigns for Bubble Yum and Dr. Pepper. In 1980, Macchio landed his first major role, a recurring gig on the family sitcom, Eight is Enough before going on to film Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 drama, The Outsiders.

The following year, Macchio secured his biggest role to-date—playing the lead role in the martial arts drama, The Karate Kid. The film featured Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, a high school student who uses the art of karate to defend himself against a pack of ruthless bullies. It became an instant classic, spawning two sequels as well as a fourth movie featuring a then-unknown Hilary Swank, plus a 2010 reboot starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan.

In an interview in October 2014 with Chris Strauss, Macchio shared his thoughts about this pop culture classic 30 years after its release.

Q: Did you have any idea that The Karate Kid would be what it became?

A: No and neither did (director John) Avildsen. What I did feel when we were making the movie is that Pat Morita and I had a natural organic ease in our acting styles. Those scenes just really – I don’t know how to describe it. If there was anything evident on that set, it was evident that relationship was very natural and real. It seemed like it had a shot of being that once it got on the screen. Forget about the whole pop culture, “Put him in a bodybag,” “Wax on, wax off,” catching flies with chopsticks, “Sweep the leg.” That stuff – anyone who says they knew that would be what it is today, literally today, almost a third of a century…it’s a long time. No one could ever predict that. If they could, that person would be running a very successful studio.

Q: If there was an ideal sports project for you to star in or produce or direct, who would it be about?

A: I love great baseball movies. I’m a sucker for The Natural, Field of Dreams, Eight Men Out. The Rookie….I go hook, line and sinker. I’m gone. I’m a mushbag. “Dad, do you want to have a catch?” Forget about it.

Q: What do you think Daniel LaRusso (The Karate Kid) grew up to become?

A: I think LaRusso would be a family man. If you want to be funny in a crowd you can always say he became a serial killer, but I think all the Miyagisms made him a good family man and decent dad. I’m sure if his son was picked on he’d know how to answer some of those questions. 

Reaching for the Skyscrapers - the Triumph of Trump

By Bob Cox

The outspoken and controversial real estate developer, author and television personality Donald John Trump continues to be one of the most polarizing figures in our country. While Trump may not be loved by all, he certainly has earned the respect of millions of Americans that watched him rise from the ashes a generation ago.

From a young age, Trump was determined to leapfrog over his father Frederick’s footsteps by out thinking, outworking and outsmarting everyone that stood between him and great fortune. Donald joined his father's real estate development company, the Trump Organization, after graduating from Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania in 1968.

Trump’s meteoric rise began shortly thereafter when he became involved in large profitable building projects in Manhattan. He was able to finance an expansion of the company's holdings by convincing his father to be more liberal in the use of loans based on the equity in the Trump apartment complexes. In 1980, he renovated the Grand Hyatt Hotel and this became an amazing economic success, making Donald Trump the city's best known and most controversial developer. Over the next several years, his empire expanded beyond Manhattan, with purchases of multi-million dollar properties in Atlantic City, New Jersey and West Palm Beach, Florida.

In 1990, the real estate market came to a screeching halt as property values declined precipitously. Trump's net worth fell from an estimated $1.7 billion to $500 million. The Trump Organization required a massive infusion of loans to keep it from collapsing; a situation which raised questions as to whether the corporation could survive bankruptcy. Two divorces during the 1990s made it look like Trump would become the symbol of absolute failure from the leveraged lifestyles of the 1980s.

Yet, Trump triumphed, climbing back from the abyss, nearly $900 million in the red. He rebuilt his empire with the same character traits that helped him amass his fortune the first time; intelligence, hard work, courage, passion and an unshakable confidence in his ability to bounce back stronger and more determined than ever.

Today, according to Forbes Magazine, Donald Trump has a net worth of $3.2 billion and an annual salary of $60 million. Trump properties include Trump Tower, valued at $288 million, Trump World Tower, valued at $290 million and a variety of Trump resort casinos located around the United States. In addition, the Trump name is licensed to properties worldwide, earning Trump an estimated $562 million. Trump has also earned two Emmy Awards for his role in the hit reality shows The Apprentice and Celebrity Apprentice on which he appears as himself and is reportedly paid $3 million per episode. Oh yeah, and if you didn't like this article, you’re fired!

4 Steps to Look & Feel Great

By John McCain

The New Year is upon us and there is no better time than the present to resolve to get healthy and lose that extra weight. Whenever you look into a mirror, don’t you deserve to smile and feel proud at what you see? Of course you do, so if you are shocked (and not in a good way) whenever you look at a photograph of yourself, it’s time to make a healthy lifestyle change.

Your appearance is your calling card, so make sure you have a winning hand! Regardless of how shallow this may seem, we are all visual creatures and a huge percentage of our initial perception when we meet someone for the first time is based upon their overall appearance.

When you look your best, you feel better about yourself. When you make a commitment to a healthier lifestyle, you’re going to start to feel better. This will lead to better health and that will save you money, a lot of money! Whenever I bring this subject up to my clients, most of them will say, “Yeah, that’s right. We just have to be reminded of it sometimes.”

If you truly want to feel better and take control of your life, here are four simple steps to follow:

1. Food is fuel for your body. If you put proper fuel in your body, you’ll feel better, which will increase your strength and endurance and help you get more positive things done.

2. Avoid eating processed foods. Processed foods are high in calories and low in nutrition, so if you want to get more done, choose healthier options rich in vitamins and nutrients.

3. Eat breakfast every day. 86% of American’s that are overweight don’t eat breakfast. That’s one club you don’t want to join!

4. Having a coach to hold you accountable. When you have somebody that you can talk to that will hold you accountable, your chances for success dramatically improve.

We offer a program that can help you eliminate some of the bad choices that lead to poor health. Good health is your greatest source of wealth, so don’t wait until you hit rock bottom. Go for it!

Editor’s notes: John McCain is the owner of Premier Nutrition in Sacramento, CA. He can be reached at (916) 804-9679.

James Garner: Who Survived a Hellish Early Life to Become a Hollywood Superstar

By Dick Kazan

Born in 1928, Jim grew up in Oklahoma, a child of the Great Depression. His mother died when he was just 4 years old, and he was beaten severely and humiliated by his stepmother. At the age of 14, Jim left his family and thereafter was on his own, struggling to support himself.

Over the years, he hauled sheet rock, was a dishwasher, a dockworker, a janitor, a hod carrier (carrier of bricks to a bricklayer), carpet layer, chicken processor, and he held various other jobs, all to keep a roof over his head and food on the table. One time between jobs, Jim got so hungry; he survived by stealing crackers off restaurant tables.

Then in 1950, he was drafted into the Army to fight in the Korean War. Twice Jim was wounded. The second time, under enemy attack, he rolled down a hill, dislocating his shoulder and damaging his knees, injuries he would live with for the rest of his life.

Six months later, he was in Los Angeles working for his dad as a carpet layer. One day while driving in Hollywood Jim's life changed dramatically, when he saw a building sign that read, "Paul Gregory and Associates." Several years earlier, Jim had worked in a Los Angeles gas station and befriended Paul, a fellow Oklahoman who worked at the drug store across the street.

Paul believed he would one day be a big Hollywood agent, and told Jim he would "represent" him if Jim became an actor. As the years passed, Paul indeed became a big Hollywood agent. Jim hesitantly drove into the crowded parking lot, and just then a woman pulled out of her parking place in front of the building. "It was fate," Jim later recalled, saying if that space hadn't been there he would have driven away, and not have met with Paul, who convinced him to become an actor.

Paul then got Jim an acting job and Jim's remarkable acting career had begun.

Editor’s notes: Dick Kazan is the author of the website Kazan Today. For more entertaining and compelling real-life stories with valuable lessons on how to succeed in business and in life, visit www.kazantoday.com.

From Big House to Big Screen - The Danny Trejo Show

By NPR

Fans know Danny Trejo for all the tough guys he's played in action movies like Machete and From Dusk Till Dawn. He's been cast as that kind of character since the start of his career. Before he was an actor, he was an inmate, serving time in prisons across California. His crimes were committed to fund his drug addiction, Trejo says. Behind bars, he had a reputation as a fighter, boxing in tournaments in every institution he was in.

When he was in Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, Calif., Trejo says, he was involved in a riot. "So we got sent to the hole, and basically those are all gas chamber offenses," Trejo says. "I just remember asking God to please let me die with dignity and if he would do that, I would promise to say his name every day and help anybody I could anyway I can." Trejo's charges were dropped because there were no witnesses willing to testify. As a free man, Trejo dedicated his life to helping other people.

"I was a drug counselor, and one of the kids that I was working with, about 18 years old, he called me and said, 'Hey, I'm having a big problem down here, there's a lot of cocaine,' " he says. "He gave me the address to a warehouse, so I thought he worked in a warehouse," Trejo says.

As soon as he got there, Trejo realized it was a movie set. The film was Runaway Train, about two escaped convicts, played by Jon Voight and Eric Roberts. After counseling the 18-year-old, Trejo was approached by someone from the movie set. The man asked Trejo if he wanted to be an extra in the film.

"I mean, I've been in every penitentiary in the state — it was kind of funny," Trejo says. He told them he'd give it a shot. They handed him a shirt to wear, which revealed his prison tattoos, screenwriter Eddie Bunker immediately recognized them: Bunker himself had spent time in San Quentin State Prison, where he saw Trejo win a famous boxing tournament.

The screenwriter asked Trejo if he'd be up for training one of the actors how to fight. "So I started training Eric Roberts how to box," Trejo says. Director Andrey Konchalovskiy liked Trejo's style so much that he cast him in Runaway Train to fight Roberts in the ring.

"It's like divine intervention," he says. "When you talk about my big break, you know, I got a few of them in my life. Everything good that has ever happened to me has happened as a direct result of helping someone else," Trejo says. "Everything."

Heir to Wienerschnitzel Talks Company’s New Direction, Growing Up Around Wieners

In more than 50 years of business, Wienerschnitzel has pretty much nailed the niche of fast, insanely cheap and painfully addicting hot dogs. It appears, however, that they’re not doing as great as they can be with the younger crowd. What, kids don’t like chili dogs?

We had the chance to speak with J.R. Galardi, the 25-year-old son of Wienerschnitzel founder John Galardi. The young Galardi will spearhead the new visionary department for Wienerschnitzel.

Q: So what the heck does a visionary department actually do?

A: The Visionary Department will focus 100 percent on forming relationships and growing awareness amongst its younger customer; with Wienerschnitzel's current guest base primarily made up of baby boomers. To capture the attention of tomorrow’s consumer, the Visionary Department will utilize tactics including social media, strategic partnerships, digital marketing, and event sponsorship's. With a heavy emphasis on corporate responsibility, the division will tap into current trends, interests and lifestyles, including everything from sports, film, technology, music and fashion.
Sounds an awful lot like a marketing department.

Q: What’s the best wiener pun you've heard?

A: Wienerschnitzel hot dogs are considered the "World’s Most Wanted Wiener" and people often "Ask us about our wieners . . ." Our rewards club is even called "The Wieners Lovers' Club." Use your imagination, I’m sure I've heard it!

Q: How has being the son of the founder prepared you for this gig versus some fresh-out-of-college PR hotshot?

A: I grew up with this brand, I have a passionate connection with it. It’s a family legacy that I am excited to continue and build on. It’s my responsibility to carry on my father’s name in the business and I’m completely invested. You can’t find that with some fresh-out-of-college kid.

Q: Will any part of the existing menu change with the addition of the Visionary Department?

A: We’re committed to sticking with the food that got us to where we are today by focusing on the classics; chili dogs, burgers, fries and corn dogs are the core of Wienerschnitzel’s existence. Plus, if it ain't broke!

Q: What will your Visionary Department bring to the brand that other chains (Taco Bell, Starbucks) haven't done before? Is a new department even necessary?

A: The Visionary Department is 100 percent focused on tomorrow’s customer and is primarily made up of young marketing professionals looking to make a difference. Also, it’s rare to see an owner of a company who’s so involved on the front lines. I’m not sitting at a desk giving orders. I'm attending events and initiating partnerships, acting as the face of the brand in every way I can.

Q: It's been emphasized that the new direction will be youth-focused. Are there any concerns of ostracizing older customers?

A: Not at all, we aren't changing marketing direction, we are expanding it. I'm building upon the solid foundation my father built and the brand will remain committed to the loyal customers who have supported Wienerschnitzel since the early '60s.

Q: What was it like growing up in the Wienerschnitzel Dynasty? Did you meet any other fast food kids?

A: It was pretty awesome. We are tight with the kids of Fatburger, and my older sisters were friends with Glen Bell’s (of Taco Bell) children, which is pretty cool since my father’s first job in SoCal at age 19 was working for Glen Bell.

Q: The release says you're going to tap into popular trends including music and fashion. Can you elaborate on those two specific items and Weinerschnitzel will fit in? Should we expect hot dog costumes in the near future?

A: We are mainly building relationships with companies and organizations that appeal to younger generations. We’re attending events to feed hungry musicians, athletes and fans. We've been collaborating on merchandise with producer/musician Cisco Adler and our fashionable friends from Ethika and YeaNice. We've also just signed on as a sponsor and the official hot dog of JGRMX, so we’re going to be having some fun with the MotoX community. There are a lot of new partnerships in the works!

Q: How do you think other food chains are failing at reaching a youthful audience? Any examples of brands, situations, products or promotions that are terrible?

A: I think some brands might be missing the opportunities to connect with their fans on a genuine level. Today, it’s more about the experience than the product. Sure, we can purchase ads and throw our logo in people’s faces, and it might drive them into the restaurant once. Using a more organic approach, we are looking to make a real connection without asking for anything in return. Here’s a free hot dog, have a great day, and we’ll see you soon!

Q: Growing up under the umbrella of such a prolific brand and family must have been awesome. Any fun stories? Did you ever roll your dates through Wienerschnitzel and shut it down to show her you’re the prince wiener around these parts?

A: I actually grew up in Colorado, and not many people knew what Wienerschnitzel was out there. Every summer I worked at a SoCal Wienerschnitzel, so I got to eat as many free hot dogs and corn dogs as I wanted. The Wienerschnitzel I worked at had a beer tap so I learned how to pour the perfect beer. There’s actually still a tap at the Burbank, California, location!

Q: What’s Weinerschnitzel's biggest ailment right now?

A: Our biggest challenge right now is that although Wienerschnitzel is a recognizable brand and people are familiar with our big red W logo, there’s not enough excitement around what we do. We’re going to give our hot dog-loving fans everywhere, both old and new, more reasons to visit…aside from having the best chili dogs in the world.

Q: Focusing on attracting a younger audience is important, but are there any plans to test more innovative menu items? What made Taco Bell so successful was their attempt to dabble in the ridiculous (DLT, Waffle Tacos) and it paid off. What are your thoughts on such items?

A: We've got some fun new menu items in the works. Inventing products and putting creative twists on Wienerschnitzel classics is one of my favorite parts of the job. We’re not going to be wrapping a waffle around a hot dog anytime soon, but definitely be on the lookout for some exciting new menu items coming soon.

It's January so turn on your A/C and Roll Your Windows Down

By Dave Trux

Okay, now that I have your attention, this headline actually makes a lot of sense. Air conditioning systems are sealed systems with lots of rubber seals. Rubber seals need to be lubricated to extend their life. By running your air conditioning in January and other winter months, times when you normally wouldn't run it, you’re actually lubricating those seals.

While most people know that freon is the refrigerant in you're a/c system, not everyone realizes that there is oil in freon. It's that oil that is lubricating those seals; therefore, it's important that you periodically run your air conditioning, even in the cold winter months. Just 5-10 minutes at a time and twice a month will help keep your seals lubricated.

The same principals apply to your windows. Windows have rubber seals around them. Those seals help keep the wind, weather and road noise out. If you don’t use your windows in the winter months, the seals may start to stick to the glass, which is going to put extra stress on the window regulator and motor, increasing the likelihood of a power window failure. So, it’s important to roll your windows up and down periodically.

If you hear a clicking noise from inside the door panel while operating the window, that's the tell-tale sign of a failing window regulator. If this happens, I strongly advise you to take your car in to your trusted service center immediately. That would be preferable to using it on a rainy day and then having it stuck in the down position while you drive to the shop with a trash bag in your door!

Editor’s notes: Dave Trux is the owner of Valley Motorwerks in Rancho Cordova, CA. Their address is 11401 White Rock Road, their phone number is (916) 636-9526 and their website is www.vmwerks.com.

Discovering True Love in Mexico

By Bob Cox

When the Whitney family scheduled a vacation to Cabo San Lucas nearly nine Springs ago, they were planning to soak up some sun and enjoy the sights that the shores of Baja are famous for. What they encountered on a remote beach near Todos Santos changed their lives forever.

Upon their arrival, Lori and daughter Makenna were greeted by a handsome local inhabitant who went by the name Solo De Uno, which means the lonely one. Solo De Uno was an unusually friendly but abandoned dog that displayed the behavior of a tame and domesticated animal. The bond between Solo De Uno and the Whitney family was instantaneous.

Underfed, dehydrated and weighing in at a meager 30 pounds, Solo De Uno was the sweetest dog Lori had ever encountered. Lori made several inquiries to find a home for her new friend and even suggested taking the dog back with her but the tour guide denied her request and told her that taking a dog out of the country was almost impossible. "While everyone was partying on the bus, the dog that we now call Biscuit laid down with his head on his paws and watched us as we pulled away. His eyes were the last things I saw and it just stuck with me as my daughter and I cried the whole way back", recalled Lori.

When she was at home, Lori was reading a magazine she had acquired in Mexico and saw an ad with the headline "It's Easy to Adopt a Baja Beauty". The ad was sponsored by the Humane Society of Cabo San Lucas (HSCSL). She responded immediately and with the help of HSCSL volunteer Allison Webb, the two went to work finding Biscuit. Lori was able to acquire the phone numbers of the two tour guides from Mexico and with an impassioned plea, convinced the drivers to find Biscuit and have him delivered to the HSCSL shelter. From there, Lori would make arrangements to fly Biscuit to America and secure a loving home for him.

Unfortunately, Biscuit was diagnosed with heartworm, which delayed and complicated Lori’s plans. Allison took matters into her own hands and brought Biscuit home with her for three weeks, where he made a full recovery. On May 21, 2006, Allison and Biscuit arrived at the Sacramento Executive Airport and were greeted enthusiastically by the Whitney family and a television crew from Good Day Sacramento. Today, the dog once known as Solo De Uno has grown into a 65 pound Biscuit of love, thanks to the Whitney family, who eagerly opened their home and their hearts to this amazing animal.

Editor’s notes: Lori Whitney is the Public Affairs Officer and Coordinator for Itsie Bitsie Rescue, Inc. a non-profit orgination that specializes in raising unweaned orphaned kittens and puppies until they are ready for their forever home. She can be reached at (916) 765-6060.

The Toxic Tree of Fear & Self Doubt

By Bob Cox

The other day, I had a phone conversation with my son Bobby and he confided that he had been dealing with some unresolved anxieties. When I asked him if he knew what the underlying causes were, he said yes but he wasn't sure how he was going to solve them.

At that point, I reminded him that the only permanent and healthy way to eliminate any recurring problem was for him to dig deeper and uproot the underlying fears and self doubts that were creating the anxiety. Superficial options, like prescription drugs or alcohol might give him a temporary repite from his troubles, but the source of his anxieties would surely come back with greater frequency and intensity. Merely cutting down and removing the toxic tree of fear and self doubt would never be a permanent solution. He would have to go deeper and remove the entire root system before going on to the next tree.

Years ago, I read a self help book that offered a very unique and insightful way of handling overwhelming problems. The author encouraged his readers to pretend that you’re looking at the present moment as though it’s a memory and you are on your death bed, wishing you could travel back in time and make a different choice. What choice would you make and why do you believe it would it create better results?

Before I started Go For It Magazine seven years ago, I was faced with one of the most challenging situations of my life. After working as an independent rep with a company for many years, there was an abrupt change in ownership. I walked in one day and learned that the franchise owner, who was also a good friend was suddenly gone, replaced by a team of corporate representatives that assured us that business would go on as usual, with few changes or interruptions.

Over time, those reassurances gradually disappeared as the company fell under the financial microscope of their stockholders. Little by little, our professional freedoms were being stripped away. To make matters worse, a brand new management team was installed to turn things around. These were not the warm and friendly people that we had worked with for so many years. These were people that appeared to lack a beating heart or have an ounce of compassion. In that final, dysfunctional year, the only thing the company really managed was to hasten the revolving door for their sales reps and administrative managers.

As the month’s dragged on and the situation continued to deteriorate, I practiced the exercise mentioned earlier and the answer came to me with great clarity. Staying and trying to fix the problem clearly hadn't worked. As much as I liked my co-workers and the growing income, I knew I had to make a positive change and leave. I had to come to terms with my own fears and self doubts and knew that as long as I stayed in that toxic environment, the situation would likely never get better.

If you’re grappling with a toxic tree that appears larger than life, give this technique a try. This approach to problem solving can lead you to greater insights by creating a healthier distance from the problem. The additional space should help you travel above the clutter of negative thoughts that may prevent you from coming up with a clear solution. Finally, you’ll be able to see the problem through a different set of eyes and give you the fresh perspective you need to attack the issue with greater enthusiasm head on.d

Made in the Shade

By Bob Cox

When oil company executive Dan Wilmoth was given the opportunity to find a place to call home, he chose Sacramento because it had what Dan refers to as the wow factor. "Drive an hour and a half in any direction and you go "wow!" Tahoe, Napa, San Francisco, Monterrey, Yosemite, all these places are day trips", said Dan. After 23 years and 9 moves, Dan was more than ready to unpack his suitcase and settle down. “My wife and I fell in love with the Northern California area. I wanted to get into a business that I didn't have to wear a tie again, that had a sales force and was outside”, explained Dan.

When Sierra Sunscreens went up for sale back in 1998, Dan chose to go for it, despite his limited knowledge of the industry. He chose Sierra because it was an established company with a great reputation for delivering outstanding service.

During the first nine years under Dan’s helm, Sierra Sunscreens flourished as the Sacramento market experienced unprecedented growth. And then everything changed when the Great Recession hit our community like a giant tornado, blowing away hundreds of local businesses. “When this economy collapsed in 2007, I called my group together and we lowered our prices 30% and we cut the overhead out of the business. We were able to keep our place of business, our reputation and the quality of service by all of us working harder and smarter”, Dan said.

I sat down recently with Dan to learn more about Sierra Sunscreens & Patio Covers. Here’s how our conversation went.

Q: Will you tell us about the history of Sierra Sunscreens & Patio Covers?

A: Sierra Sunscreens was established in 1982 and the purpose of the business at that time was to provide sunscreens for a hugely growing market here in Sacramento, especially new homes, which needed protection from the heat of the sun. From 1982 to about 2002, Sierra Sunscreens was the largest sunscreen dealer in the state of California.

Q: What caused Sierra Sunscreens to expand to include other shade products?

A: As the market evolved from so much growth to no growth of new homes, we had to diversify into patio covers, room enclosures and sunrooms as our primary business. Sunscreens has actually become more of a secondary business. Today we are one of the largest selling patio cover companies in the Sacramento valley.

Q: What other shade products do you provide?

A: We have vertical roll down shades, patio covers, sunrooms, screen rooms and retractable awnings. We evolved from primarily a sunscreen company into a company that provides shade of any kind. As we met those market needs we became really focused on the physical structures of patio covers, room enclosures, etc.

Q: What’s your company’s philosophy when it comes to doing other home improvement projects?

A: Our philosophy is to do a few things and do them better than anybody else. We could do kitchen and bath remodels and other home improvement projects, but that's not who we are. People ask us to do all of these things, including landscaping, but we choose to focus on a few things and do them very well.

Q: What have you done to separate your business from the competition?
A: While several other companies carry the same product lines, we've separated our business with the quality of the people we hire. Our employee based staff is manufacturer trained and extensively trained to communicate with customers. We want our customers to be very comfortable with what we are doing. We strive to live up to our mission statement: “simply the best”. Having employees can be a big advantage because most people in this business subcontract their labor out and do not use employees like we do.

Q: From a consumer’s standpoint, why does it matter whether you have employees or subcontractors?

A: Employees are directed by the management team they work for, so we can control the timing of our projects, the quality of the installation and the service after the sale. You can rarely get a subcontractor to go back if there is a service issue. When you have employees, you really can control all aspects of the project and that's very important to the overall customer satisfaction.

Q: Is there anything else you do to insure that the project goes smoothly?

A: Yes, I personally meet with every installer before we go out on a project. I go over all aspects of the the job with them. With subcontractors, that isn't always the case. My guys are trained to communicate with customers and some are bilingual.

Q: By having employees, don’t your customers have greater peace of mind knowing that you are 100% responsible for the project?

A: Yes. I would say nine out of ten times a customer doesn't even know that their contractor has subbed out the labor for the work. One of the reasons companies sub out labor is because they don't have to pay workmen's comp or liability insurance on that labor. A consumer is at great risk if these subcontractors are not carrying their own insurance.

Q: Is there anything else that separates Sierra from the competition?

A: Yes, all our installers have been with the company at least 8 years and some have been here over 20 years, which is rare in this business. I think we have the best installers in Sacramento. We've been in business 33 years and serviced over 10,000 customers. Longevity is a measure of treating the marketplace right. In other words, you don't stay in business for 33 years if you haven't treated your customers well.

Q: Do you have any advice for consumers to help them select an honest and trustworthy contractor?

A: Yes, make sure that the contractor is actually an expert in the area of the project you want done at your house. Many of these licenses overlap to certain areas of expertise. Next, select a company that has a proven track record and check them out with the California State Contractors License Board, the Better Business Bureau, Angie's List and Yelp. I also recommend choosing a company that has a fixed location. That way, if you have a problem, you can actually go to your contractors place of business.
Q: Why is it important to choose a contractor that’s been accredited by The Better Business Bureau?

A: An accredited rating with the BBB versus just a BBB rating is everything. Everybody who's in business that is registered, has a rating with the BBB. Accredited means that the BBB has checked out your business, license, insurance, complaints, etc., to make sure that you are a quality company and then they certify you and put their stamp of approval on your business.

Editor’s notes: For more information about Sierra Sunscreens & Patio Covers, call (916) 638-9800, visit their showroom at 3345 Sunrise Bl. in Rancho Cordova or check out their website at www.sierrashadeproducts.com.

Treating Everyone Like Gold The Sharif Jewelers Story

By Bob Cox

The family-run business of Sharif Jewelers began in a far away time and place. While the United States had fallen into the grips of the Great Depression, Naser Sharif opened his goldsmith business overseas in Jerusalem. The year was 1932. As the years went by and the small business prospered, Naser needed some extra hands to help him around his shop, so he inlisted the help of his two grandsons, Mahmud (a.k.a. Sharif) and Hazem. The operation quickly evolved into a family business and the boys learned a great deal from watching their Grandfather. More than anything, they learned the value of treating everyone that walked into the shop like the precious metals he worked with…like gold. Sharif and Hazem migrated to California over 30 years ago, where they attended school and earned engineering degrees from CSU, Sacramento. Although the brothers shared a common interest in engineering, the jewelry business had been a life-long passion for both. Ever since they were children, the brother’s loved learning from their Grandfather and dreamed of a day when they would run their own stores. Shortly after they graduated, Sharif and Hazem decided to return to the family business and open up their own stores here in America.

The first store they opened was on Howe Avenue back in 1980. The store quickly prospered, so they added a second store in Folsom 10 years later. When that store took off, they felt confident enough to open their third store, which is located in downtown Sacramento on 10^th & Kst. The number one thing that separates Sharif Jewelers from other jewelry stores is how each person is greeted and treated. Everyone that shops at Sharif becomes a friend. No one is ever treated like a stranger, even when it’s their first time at the store. The entire staff at Sharif Jewelers really go out of their way to make each person feel special, welcomed and appreciated. Customers are always greeted warmly because hospitality is the single most important thing to the Sharif family. Every time I've been in their store, I've always been greeted with a genuine smile from several members of the staff and offered Turkish coffee and baklava.

The other thing that separates Sharif from the competition is the extensive collection of exclusive jewelry lines they carry, including Tacori, Verragio, Simon G, Demarco, Caro 74 and Parate. Time pieces include Mont Blanc, Movado, Liminox, Raymond Weil, and Swarovski. Pre-owned luxury timepieces include Rolex, Cartier and Piaget. Sharif also sells fine china from Ylladro and Pandora.

With all that going for them, it shouldn't come as a big surprise that through the years, Sharif Jewelers has been voted Sacramento’s Best Jeweler by KCRA A-list. And there’s just one more thing you should know, "You don’t have to be rich and famous to shop at Sharif"!  

You're Never too Young

A 2012 graduate of Bella Vista High School (BVHS) and founder of iParts & Phone Repairs, Alika sold his first product for profit when he was five years old. Always having an entrepreneurial outlook and coming from a family with a background in electronics that strongly believes in free enterprise, Alika founded his first business iPhoneReplacementParts.com when he was 13 years old, selling iPhone parts online and accepting iPhones in for repair from all over the world to his house.

He opened his first store iParts & Phone Repairs in Citrus Heights in 2009 when he was 14 and a sophomore at BVHS. His Mom, Dad and sister Kala ran the store for him while he was attending school. Alika would come in to work after school and on the weekends. As each new product like androids and tablets were introduced into the industry, he learned how to repair them and offer the service to his clients. He then began incorporating things like unlocking devices and selling cell service like Simple Mobile and H20.

As his business grew and the world started going the way of devices, he needed more technicians. He started hiring and teaching his friends that he had gone to school with all of his life. Once he graduated high school, he started running the business himself. He took certification courses to broaden his level of repair and then sent his employees to get certified so they could learn too.

In 2010 he started selling and marketing corporate accounts to his clients who were from businesses or large outfits when they walked through his door. In 2013 he added his sales and marketing director to promote his business in the field and sell corporate accounts and establish relationships with power partners such as box stores and carriers. Alika opened his Vacaville location in February 2014. Current project…opening a new store. Future project…he’ll be one of the first ones to figure out what that next new wave is and he’ll ride it!

Horst Rechelbacher: A 4th Grade Dropout Who Built a Global Cosmetics Empire

By Dick Kazan

Horst, who passed away at the age of 72 in 2014, created Aveda Corp. from modest means into a worldwide business. This is his story:

Born in Austria during World War ll, the post war years in Europe were very hard and Horst dropped out of the 4th grade to help his family during those difficult times. Later, at age 14, Horst became an apprentice barber and by the age of 17, had become a hair stylist in Rome and subsequently in London and then New York.

To build his reputation and his clientele, Horst participated in beauty show competitions and held seminars, when in 1965, while in Minneapolis he was in a horrific automobile accident. Horst was fortunate to survive and it took six months for him to recover, leaving him deeply in debt. But during those six months, he fell in love with the American Midwest and never left.

To pay his bills, he opened a salon, Horst & Friends in Minneapolis, with just himself and two other people. Over time, this salon grew into a small chain of salons. Horst also began creating shampoos and other natural beauty care products which he formulated in his kitchen sink. Ultimately, those products led to his big break, when at nearly 37 years of age he founded Aveda Corp. in 1978.

Horst opened Aveda Concept Salons and he created a broad line of natural beauty products, and nontoxic household cleaners. He also offered coffee beans, herbal teas, nutritional supplements, books and jewelry, with many of his products eventually available in 25,000 stores and salons across the globe. In 1997, Horst sold Aveda to beauty conglomerate Estee Lauder for a reported $300 million.

After selling Aveda, Horst built Intelligent Nutrients, which specializes in natural, organic earth friendly beauty and health products, many of which he grew on his 570 acre organic farm and retreat center in Osceola, Wisconsin.

How passionate was Horst about natural, organic earth friendly products? His classic words were, "Don't put anything on your skin that you wouldn't put in your mouth." At trade shows and in interviews, Horst would demonstrate this principle by drinking hair spray and other of his company's products, mixed in water. "Absolutely delicious," he would proclaim. "This hair spray could be sold as a nutritional supplement."

Editor’s notes: Dick Kazan is the author of the website Kazan Today. For more entertaining and compelling real-life stories with valuable lessons on how to succeed in business and in life, visit www.kazantoday.com.

Confidence

By Dr. Andrade

A bright and beautiful smile goes a long way. When I come home, the first thing I look for is the smiles of my kid’s faces. I always give them a hug and a kiss and let them know how much I care for them. Same thing goes for my wife. Her smile still warms my heart.

As a dentist, I know I can impact someone’s life in a very positive way. I meet people almost every day that are shy or embarrassed about showing their smile due to some flaw they haven’t taken care of yet. It could be a missing tooth, a broken tooth, stained yellow teeth, a crooked smile, swollen gums, bad breath or a loose denture. Everyday, I get to help someone smile bigger, feel more confident, eat better and get out of pain. It’s a hard job, but very rewarding. I get up every morning, up to the task to help someone finally be able to smile with the smile they deserve and radiate to the world everything they are. A friendly and beautiful smile is a welcome sight in an language.

For the upcoming year, put your best smile forward. My team and I are ready to see you and give you the smile you deserve.

Dr. Philip W. Brickner: A doctor who made house calls on the poor

By Dick Kazan

Philip, who at 85 recently passed away in his Bronx, New York home did what few other doctors do. He became a doctor to the poor and the homeless.

It began in 1969 when Philip and his colleagues at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York realized they were getting a flood of elderly and sickly men in the emergency room. It turned out the men were coming from a nearby rundown hotel that housed 1200 men, including drug addicts and recently released convicts. They each lived in a 6 by 8 foot chicken wire and cinder block cubicle.

When Philip and his colleagues went to this hotel, they saw severe health issues and also injuries inflicted by some of the stronger men on the weaker ones. Philip setup a "free clinic" at that hotel, which he and his colleagues operated three times a week. He formed teams, comprised of a doctor, nurse, social worker and electrocardiograph technician, to call on them. Philip also added daily visits to the sickest.

This was the start of Philip providing free medical care to the poor and doing it where they lived. Over time his patients included people who were homebound by physical limitations, including in some cases, the infirmities of old age, as well as disabled children and AIDs patients.

Why did he do this? "There is no point in a doctor in a clinic telling someone to go home, elevate her leg and take antibiotics when she has no home and no money," Philip told The Boston Globe in a 1990 interview.

One of Philip's greatest achievements was during the 1980's when he ran a pilot program in 19 cities, providing medical care to the homeless. This pilot program led to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act of 1987, providing extensive medical care to shelters and food lines, patterned on Philip's work. Today, this law, its amendments and newer programs provide services in 249 cities.

For Philip, it came down to this: He was a strong advocate of doctors, black bags in hand, going anywhere patients needed them. And by his actions he set the example.

Editor’s notes: Dick Kazan is the author of the website Kazan Today. For more entertaining and compelling real-life stories with valuable lessons on how to succeed in business and in life, visit www.kazantoday.com.

Family First for Leo the Landscaper

By Bob Cox

Are you familiar with the old saying, “It’s nothing personal, it’s just business?” Well, I've never been particularly fond of that philosophy because it often rationalizes ruthless and self centered practices. Fortunately, I’m not alone as more and more business people are seeing the benefits of making business a very personal experience. Leonid Gopa, a.k.a. Leo the Landscaper, happens to wholeheartedly agree.

Leo is the owner of Blue Jays Landscaping in Rancho Cordova and he has a refreshing and unique approach to doing business. “The philosophy of my business is to free up people’s time whenever they come home from a long day of work and commuting. When most people come home, they face even more work do around the house. Maybe they come home to a front yard that’s full of leaves, with grass that needs to be cut and bushes that need to be trimmed. My philosophy is to give time back to those people so that they can spend their valuable time, their most precious commodity with their families. A lot of families don’t get that time; especially kids nowadays. They don’t get enough attention from mom and dad.

Q: You mentioned that you are an avid reader of positive and inspiring books. How did you get started?

A: I used to be an account representative of a company that sold nutritional meal replacement shakes. When I first joined the company, I received a subscription of Success Magazine. In the first magazine I got, it contained a motivational CD from Jim Rohn. I liked it so much I began craving more of that information. My favorite speakers and authors are Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar and Brian Tracy. I love listening to positive motivation and right now I am currently reading Motivation Manifesto by Brendon Burchard. His book is about motivating people to pursue their dreams.

Q: How has reading positive books helped you grow personally and professionally?

A: First of all, it has opened up my eyes a lot more and I now see things that I never paid attention to before. I've heard this quote many times, “Little things don’t mean anything, little thing mean everything.” So, you have to pay attention to all the details around you in order to really enjoy life.

Q: What sets you apart from other lawn care maintenance companies?

A: I am a family oriented person. I have two young kids and a young wife who just turned 23 a couple days ago. I know what I expect from my life, I know what my kids want out of me as their dad and I know what my wife wants out of me and that’s how I came up with my philosophy for my business. She never gets enough of my attention and the same thing is going on with many other families. I want to help other people so that I can spend more time with my family and help the people I serve spend more time with each other. I’m not really looking to make money. I’m looking to help people.

Besedka Johnson: Who at Age 85 Became an Actress

By Dick Kazan

Most people assume that someone 85 has accomplished all they ever will. But life is filled with surprises. 85 year old Besedka was swimming at a Hollywood Y.M.C.A. and unbeknownst to her the movie “Starlet” was being cast.

Movie executive Shih-Ching Tsou spotted Besedka and as she later told the New York Times, “When I saw her [Besedka] at the gym, I was stunned. I thought, ‘This lady is who we are looking for.’ “ She took a photo of Besedka and texted it to the movie’s director, Sean Baker, who texted back he was interested. Ms. Tsou informed Besedka what was happening.

Besedka was stunned and pleased, for in her youth she had dreamed of becoming an actress, yet never did. But afterward, she had serious concerns and she discussed those concerns with her son Jim, who is in the film industry. Who are these people and what is the film about? And why at age 85 are they interested in her, a person who has never acted?

Jim looked into the movie and the production company and encouraged his mother to pursue it. He later told The New York Times, “I said; ‘Mom, do you know how many waiters and waitresses have slaved throughout their lives for the chance to get to do what you’re doing? Do it!’ “

With her son’s encouragement, Besedka pursued it. She learned her lines, auditioned and landed the role. “She was already convincing and I knew she would get more convincing,” Sean Baker the director told The New York Times. “She came prepared.”

The movie was filmed over 25 days in the San Fernando Valley summer heat. When Besedka complained to her son about the heat, “I laughed at her,” he told The New York Times. “I said, ‘Mom, you’re in your first movie and you’re already a prima donna.’ “.

Born Beatrice Vivian Divic on October 5th, 1925 in Detroit, Besedka moved to California in her teens, and was briefly a model. She changed her name to “Besedka” during the 1960’s to match the name of a dress shop she owned in the San Fernando Valley. The name Johnson came from her first husband whom she divorced in the 1950’s and a second marriage ended in divorce as well.

But in 2012 when the movie was released, 86 year old Besedka became a star, starring opposite Dree Hemingway, daughter of actress Mariel Hemingway. Besedka played “Sadie,” a tough, lonely elderly woman with no family. Sadie is befriended by 21 year old Dree Hemingway’s character “Jane” in a heartwarming cross-generational story, in which both women’s difficult lives are uplifted by the presence of the other.

“Starlet” is such a fine film, that in 2013 it won the Robert Altman Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, and last year, Besedka received special recognition for her performance at the South by Southwest film festival in Austin, Texas.

But on April 4th, 2013 87 year old Besedka passed away from a bacterial infection in Glendale, Calif. She is survived by Jim and two other sons, Marc and Lloyd and by two grandchildren. However, in addition to the joy of her family, the last year of her life became something special. “My inner voice is like: ‘Come on, I’m 86 years old. Who the hell wants somebody at this period [in life] …,’ said Besedka last year about becoming an actress. “But I loved being Sadie.”

Editor’s notes: Dick Kazan is the author of the website Kazan Today. For more entertaining and compelling real-life stories with valuable lessons on how to succeed in business and in life, visit www.kazantoday.com. 

Moving on UP . . . Next Door.

By Dave Trux & Walter Ford

In the course of a life of a business, it grows and needs change. The first shop we had was 6,500 feet and had a nice waiting room but had its limitations and shortcomings. We didn't have a dedicated bathroom for our customers, which is extremely important to us. Our techs did a good job keeping the bathroom clean but not customer clean. We consider the shop an extension of our homes and wanted it to be as clean, nice, well lit, warm and comfortable as you would feel if you were in our house, which this place really is to us.

Our new building, which is right next door, has a dedicated waiting room that’s completely separate from the sales area and the offices. We have a couple of couches now, so when there is more than one customer waiting, they don’t feel so crowded. We have a huge flat screen TV to watch, a coffee maker and it’s now like a really nice living room.

The techs out in the shop work more efficiently and are much happier when they’re not working in temperatures of 110 degrees that feels like a hot box. In our new 9,100 square foot facility, we have a dedicated clean room for building engines and a dedicated lounge area for the techs with their own closets and bathroom. The work space itself has coated floors, which was a great cost that helps keep the shop clean. The coated floor reflects the lights back up underneath the cars, so our techs can see better while they’re working. Most importantly, the building is fully insulated. When the weather outside was in the triple digits, the temperate in the shop was 25 degrees cooler! In a concrete building, when the walls get heated up, it will hold the heat for quite some time. The old building actually shields the new building from the sun, so we don’t have that problem anymore. The work area, even on triple digit days will stay around 78-82 degrees, so it’s really nice.

So, this move will be better for our customers and better for our employees. Better employees’ equals’ better quality work, which again benefits our customers! Our new facility is very nice and clean and looks more like a showroom now. Finally, we are also dedicated to keeping our environment clean by making our business as green as possible. We've always printed our invoices on two sides and this building is much more efficient with respect to heating and cooling, so we’re much happier as well!