Business of the Month: Ameriflex

KAT HITCHCOCK'S INTERVIEW WITH
BRETT WEICHBROD + MAX PHILLIPS from Ameriflex

How long have each of you been in the financial industry and how long at AmeriFlex?

Max- I have been in the financial services industry for over 12 years now and I have been with AmeriFlex for the entire 12 years. That makes me the longest tenured partner at AmeriFlex outside of the founder and president of the firm.

Brett- I have been in the industry for 17 years, having started my career at a company called Canterbury Consulting, and working my way up through a couple of other firms, the most recognizable being PIMCO, and made my way to AmeriFlex about two and a half years ago.

What services does AmeriFlex offer? Do you do more than just personal wealth management?

Max- I think the public’s perspective is that we manage assets, which is part of our role as wealth managers. What we are really here to do is to help individuals and families navigate a course through transitional events. Those transitional events could be retirement, sale of a business, sale of an investment property, divorce, and sadly death of a loved one. 

Brett- We provide holistic financial planning and asset management services to individuals and families, but we also work with small business and institutional investors.  Those organizations can include non-profits, corporate cash accounts, essentially any organization that has a fairly long-term perspective and has capital they want to grow above what a savings account can provide. 

What is the common misconception about wealth management that you find most often here in Santa Barbara?

Max- I think the most common misconception is that we have a crystal ball. We have the ability to see into the future. That’s not just here in Santa Barbara I think that’s just what wealth management and advisors face in general. I believe what we typically deal with in Santa Barbara is we are here to sell our clients something. When in reality it is about the bigger picture - it’s about developing a relationship, trust and managing that process. It is ultimately our job to work with our clients in developing and monitoring their goals and objectives.  And importantly, we align our interests with theirs.

Brett- Max hit it on the head. Everyone’s gut reaction is we are trying to sell something. Really, our goal and our success in town has been from working with clients on a long-term basis. People do not always realize the value in working with an advisor and employing strategies early on, to help reduce tax liabilities, plan for generational gifting, and to help make life decisions that can influence their financial wellbeing.  These topics are discussed preemptively as part of the financial planning.

What makes AmeriFlex stand out from other wealth management firms in town?

Brett- I would say the team approach. That is what attracted me to the firm several years ago. We each have diverse backgrounds with unique skill sets, along with a firm structure, that allows us to support each other and serve our clients as a team, and I believe clients appreciate that.  We have taken the competitiveness out of the equation.

Max- I would add to that we have a very collegial group in our office, if there’s a question about a unique situation or a specific client need, we don’t hesitate in seeking a second opinion from the team and other advisors in our office. They are more than willing to take time out of their day and help, I think that is what makes us very unique, we can go to each other and ask for help or for an opinion without having to worry about issues of an ulterior motive. At the end of the day we are working together to put our client’s best interests as the top priority.

Brett- We also coordinate with other professionals. A lot of our clients can be business owners or going through a transitional situation where they really need a coordinated effort with their estate attorney or their cpa, thats where we go above and beyond where other firms may only focus on managing assets.

Max– Don’t forget we also coordinate with our trusted real estate advisors

Kat- Always appreciated! 😄 

Interview at Handlebar Coffee, Santa Barbara 

Do you service clients from all over SB county or state wide or where do your clients come from?

Max- I would definitely say our niche market is SB county but as a result of the transitional event planning we find ourselves working with clients throughout California and in many states. We have also have been successful opening other offices with the same philosophical ideas that we have at our Santa Barbara corporate office, in cities like Westlake, Newport Beach, and even Scottsdale Arizona.  

Who is your ideal client and how many clients do you take each year?

Brett - I would say we look at our growth at a firm level, and we have certainly been growing. As far as ideal clients, I love working with non-profit organizations that have long-term endowments.  But I also enjoy the relationships of working with individuals and families that are trying to figure out a future retirement or are in retirement and are trying to structure their assets in a way that provides an income stream.

Max- I would add that every client situation is unique- if we were strictly to adhere to a minimum or certain asset level we would easily be excluding a lot of individuals who could use our services or will need our help in the future. It’s our view that if we close the door on them it wouldn’t make a lot of sense for us, it’s too small of a town to turn people away. However, we have to be cognizant of the resources our team can provide and not strain those resources or dilute the level of service to our existing clients by just bringing on everyone we come across. We have to be selective but as Brett mentioned we have our own different niches and we constantly have a communication in our office to see who is going to be a good fit for the relationship. 

Brett- Importantly, we do NOT have a million-dollar minimum- which many of our competitors do.  We are willing to talk to almost anyone and see if there is an opportunity to work with them.

Can you explain your client services philosophy on how you ensure each client receives personal and professional services?

Max- I would say everyone is different - to have a blanket set of services for an individual client doesn’t make a ton of sense as it could alienate individuals who actually need insight and assistance who don’t think they fit the bill. Philosophically services are going to depend on the client’s unique situation; where they are financially; and where they want to be; and the feasibility to achieve their financial goals. There’s going to be a little more attention to detail depending on where they are in their journey. Ultimately service is customized to our clients and their situation. 

Brett- Two key services we provide as wealth managers, financial planning and actual asset management. Financial planning has to be custom. Each family and individual has a unique situation therefore it has to be custom. On the asset management side we are customizing a portfolio around the financial plan, it’s not an approach where we have five models and everyone falls into one of them.  I think people appreciate the extra attention to detail. 

What is your favorite part of what you do?

Max – We don’t have the same repetitive days, week after week. In all seriousness we get to work with great people to help them achieve their goals. The ability to shine light on how we are going to guide them through a particular transition is where I find satisfaction. It’s that “aha” moment that our clients achieve and having them be grateful for the time and effort we provide.

Brett- First, working with smart people, I think that’s important and motivating.  And two, the appreciation clients show when you have worked with them for a while and made a difference in their lives.

ABOUT EACH OF THEM

Business of the Month: The Weiser Agency

Interview with Nick Weiser- Managing Partner
 The Weiser Agency 

Nick and Kelly Weiser, Managing Partners

The Weiser Agency Office 

How long have you been in the insurance business?

Insurance has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. When I was 2-years-old, my parents opened their own Farmers Insurance Agency in my hometown of Houston, Texas. Upon graduating from Miami University of Ohio, I moved to Los Angeles to work for Farmers Insurance at its corporate headquarters for 8 years. It was there that I met my now business partner and wife, Kelly.  Kelly worked in Marketing for Farmers corporate while I worked in Government Affairs before we made the decision to start our own agency. 

When did you start The Weiser Agency?

A little over two years ago we made the decision to leave the corporate side of the company and jump headfirst into having our own Agency. It has been the best move we’ve ever made! 

Nick Weiser hard at work

What areas do you service?

 With offices in both Santa Barbara and the Channel Island Harbor, our team specializes in insurance coverage for families and businesses throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. We can insure anyone throughout the state though and do have clients all over California.

Do you do more than residential insurance?

Yep, we do it all. Our mission is to protect the lifestyle our clients have worked so hard to build. We do that through protecting all their assets. From the traditional home, auto and umbrella insurance to recreational vehicles, life insurance, and retirement, we provide a comprehensive insurance portfolio tailor-made for each client so we can make sure there are no gaps in their asset protection plan. 

Beyond personal insurance solutions, do you insure business as well?

Yes, one area that we’re really focused on growing and have seen a lot of success with is commercial insurance, specifically for restaurants. The vast majority of our products are underwritten by Farmers Insurance which protects more restaurants than any other insurance company in California. That said, we can do all types of business insurance. For example, one of our awesome clients is Brighten Solar which was featured on the blog in the past and specializes in solar panel installation. 

The Weiser Agency Office 

We know you earned an award recently "Toppers and Championship".  Tell us more about how you were awarded this honor?

Sure. Both these honors are given to Farmers Insurance agencies across the country.   Topper Club recognizes the top 6% of agencies across the country and the Championship title is awarded to the top 3% of agencies in the US. It’s based on performance targets for new business as well as retention and we’re thrilled to have qualified for both awards our first year eligible. 

What’s one of the biggest misconceptions about insurance?

I think it's two-fold. 

First, people place a lot of importance on finding the cheapest & ‘best’ price. Which we think is a silly thing to do when you’re looking to insure all your assets and the lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to build. We believe your insurance advisor is just as important as your lawyer, CPA or Realtor since each expert is devoted to helping you acquire and protect your assets. That sort of knowledge and personalized insurance approach isn’t something you can get from a 1-800 number or website.

Second, there’s a general lack of awareness of the importance of life insurance.   When we ask about it, we often hear “I don’t have any kids” or “I have some at work” or “They’ll get the house when I die”. We believe a large part of our job is to walk our clients through the importance of both investing in life insurance early to lock in their rate while they’re healthy and ensuring our clients have the right amount coverage to truly protect their loved ones. We’re also able to offer a lot of great retirement & tax benefits through some of the life insurance products we offer. 

The Weiser Agency Team

Is there anything significantly different about insurance in the Santa Barbara area? 

Fire is always a big concern to our clients as I’m sure it is to yours. A question we get quite often, especially from first time home buyers, is if they can get insurance on a specific property that may be close to a wildfire area. Our team is well versed in all sorts of options to protect homeowners against fire risks and we can explore multiple solutions together to make sure your home is properly protected.  

We have worked with you in the past and our clients love working with you; what would you say is your favorite part about your job?

Thanks for the compliment! We love working with Hitchcock + Associates as well and find your clients are always great to do business with! For us, the most meaningful part of the work comes from the moments when we’re able to be there for our clients in their time of need. Our team truly believes peace of mind comes from knowing everything you love is protected in case of a loss and we’re honored to serve as trusted advisors to thousands of families in the Santa Barbara & Channel Islands Harbor communities.

Learn more about the Weiser Agency:

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Business of the Month: American Red Cross, Kimberly Coley

Business of the Month: American Red Cross, Kimberly Coley

Kimberly Coley, Executive Director with the American Red Cross

What is your title with the American Red Cross?
Executive Director

As the Executive Director for the American Red Cross Pacific Coast and Ventura County chapters, what kind of responsibilities do you have in this role?  
Being the Executive Director comes with many hats!  My roles and responsibilities are always changing and no day is ever the same.  Of course, I work closely with our team on a variety of programs and services, always striving to take care of our people and improve the processes and ways in which we work.  In addition, to support staff and volunteers, I also serve as the official liaison with our board of directors up and down the coast; I meet with donors, partners, and media and I’m the “face of the organization” in the community.  I absolutely love my job and feel so blessed to be doing such incredible, life-saving work! 

How long have you been in this position?  
I was promoted to Executive Director last November- so almost a year now.  It’s crazy to think it’s already been a year because every day I continue to learn so much.  Time flies when you’re having fun!

For folks/readers unfamiliar with the American Red Cross and all it does: What is this non-profit all about, and what makes it so special/unique?
The Red Cross is an iconic symbol, recognized around the world as a sign of help and humanity; however, the majority of Americans are only familiar with a portion of our work.  Most people think they know what we do, like hosting blood drives and responding to major natural disasters, but there’s so much more to this incredible organization!  Every day here in Santa Barbara County the Red Cross is responding to single family home fires, educating community members on the importance of emergency preparedness, teaching critical CPR/First aid skills, collecting lifesaving blood, and supporting military members and their families. And while these programs and services won’t always make the headlines, for the individual or family involved, the care and resources they receive are priceless!     

One initiative that most people are unaware of is our Home Fire Preparedness Campaign.  We respond to at least one home fire a week!  Fire doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor.  It happens to people all over the place.  While these single family home fires are the most common disaster facing Americans, they’re also the most preventable.  Having working smoke alarms in your home cuts the risk of death by 50%.  Did you know that 7 times a day someone dies in a home fire and every 40 minutes a fire related injury is reported?  Scary statistics!  We did a survey and asked people:  How long do you think you have to get out of your home if there were to be a fire?  Seventy-five percent of them said five minutes or more, and the true answer is two minutes or less.  Most people think we have all the time in the world to gather our belongings.  We don’t.  That’s why we’re going into the community, installing free smoke alarms, and educating our friends and neighbors on the importance of having a plan, having a kit and being ready to get out when the time comes. 

In fact, we have an event coming up in SB on October 7th.  “SOUND THE ALARM, SAVE A LIFE” is a nationwide event; however, we’re hosting one right here in our community, where in one day we hope to engage more than 100 volunteers by installing 400 free smoke alarms in houses throughout the Eastside.  It’s such a fun (and rewarding) day-  a great way to give back and we invite everyone to join us!  To learn more, visit www.soundthealarm.org.

How did you get into your line of work?
I stumbled into Non-Profit Management, honestly.  In fact, I’ve had 3 totally different careers in the last 13 years.  The common thread though has always been the people I know.  For me, it seems to come down to relationship building and networking.  I’m constantly meeting people and trying to “connect the dots” for them and for myself.  Because of that, I continue to meet the right people at the right time, subsequently leading to the right opportunities for me in the given moment.  Again, I feel so blessed to be living and working in Santa Barbara and I’m incredibly thankful for everyone who has played a role in my journey to leadership!

This year was an exciting year for you, Pacific Coast Business Times named you one of the top 50 women in business, tell us more about this honor. 
Yes!  This was a complete honor and I’m so thankful to the Business Times for the special recognition.  To be included amongst so many other wonderful, well-respected names within our community was a real treat!  It’s been especially fun to connect with several of the honorees since the recognition- in fact, I’m now learning from some of the best women leaders in town!  These women are master multi-taskers and highly collaborate; although not afraid to get territorial to protect their domain J.  It seems as if all of them have the same kind of circular vision that enables them to be well-rounded and intentional in how they spend their time.  I think it’s critical for us to lean in where we can and lift each other up as much as possible- so I thank those who are now mentoring me and I’m looking forward to giving back to other women in our community over the years to come.

Why is the American Red Cross so important/vital to the Santa Barbara County community and beyond? (where would this community be if it weren’t for the American Red Cross?)
The Red Cross has been in Santa Barbara County for 100 years; we are a part of this community’s history. Many people don’t think about the Red Cross until they need us but when you’re having the worst day of your life, we’ll be there. That’s what we do. 
For the family affected by the home fire, Red Cross volunteers are there to wrap a blanket around their shoulders, offer drinks and snacks, make sure the family has somewhere to go and help them take the next steps toward recovery.  For the patient who is in need of a life-saving transfusion, the Red Cross is collecting and distributing blood to hospitals almost as quickly as donations are coming in.  For the deployed service member whose family is experiencing a crisis, the Red Cross will deliver a verified message to better connect them with their loved ones back at home. 

 Because of our amazing volunteers, we’re here; building a stronger, more resilient Ventura County.  All day, every day, wherever someone needs us!   

We can tell you are passionate about what you do, what is your favorite part about this job? What do you love most?  No doubt.. hands down... the BEST part of my job is the people that I get to work with every single day!  I am beyond blessed!  Our volunteers, staff, and donors are the most loyal, selfless people you’ll ever meet.  They inspire me to be a better version of myself and because of that, I leap out of bed every morning, eager to come to work.  And that’s never happened before ;)  #RedCrossProud

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: CAITLIN MCCAHILL

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: CAITLIN MCCAHILL

Caitlin McCahill

How long have you been in commercial real estate?

Well I started in 2008, so it’s been almost 10 years. I was actually offered an internship at Hayes Commercial Group through my sorority at UCSB and I took it not really knowing much about the business. When I graduated they hired me as their Office Manager, then I got my real estate license, became the Escrow Coordinator for a little while and started getting more involved in deals. Then a couple years ago I decided to take a chance and do full time brokerage- and it’s definitely a challenge, but I really enjoy it!

530 Chapala and 25 W Cota 

You have a lot of great stuff going on right now so can you tell us more about the project you have on 530 Chapala and 25 W Cota? Or about the El Centro Building?

The new construction at the corner of Chapala and Cota are the old “Dal Pozzo Tire” and “Hendry’s Blacksmith” buildings. The owner has re-positioned the two properties into office/retail space and they are some of the coolest properties in town. There’s a 7,000 square foot Spanish Mediterranean building and a 14,000 square foot Contemporary Industrial building with a rooftop deck with amazing views. We’re marketing the property for Sale as a leased investment. It’s a fun property to be involved with and see how it has progressed over the past few months of construction- I’m there a few times a week touring potential buyers and every time there’s something new.

El Centro Building is a historic Santa Barbara style office downtown. It’s located in the Presidio district between Marshalls and the Lobero Theater and was built in 1929 (in 90 days according to an old newspaper ad we found!). Its 18,000 square feet with 24 tenants and has some really unique features -for example, there’s a handball court on the top floor. We’re marketing it for sale targeting the value-add investment buyer. It hasn’t been on the market since 1948 and we are in escrow currently. 

El Centro 

Paseo Nuevo Photo Credit: Jesse Natale 

So obviously there’s a lot going on downtown, do you have any insight as to what is happening on State Street with all the vacancies?
Retail is obviously changing nationally and locally, but there is some good news - Paseo Nuevo is now fully leased except for Macy’s. Some new tenants are 2bella Boutique, PokeCeviche, Yes Dance, Saje Natural Wellness and SB Souvenirs and Apparel. The Downtown Organization hired a consulting firm to give some insight into how to improve the downtown sector and just released that report, so change is hopefully in the works. The report details different types of uses they’d recommend, adding some more residential on State Street, dealing with the homeless issue, more community events, etc.

Funk zone development, can you tell us anything exciting or new you know about over there?
The Hotel Californian is obviously big news in the Funk Zone area. It has 121 new rooms and will have some commercial components as well. So far, I’ve heard they’ve leased space to a confidential local winery, McConnells Ice Cream, and a restaurant called Finneys Crafthouse out of Westlake which I’m excited about.  In other Funk Zone news, Blue Water Grill will be opening at the Lighthouse property soon where Rusty’s Pizza was. Impact Hub just opened another 10,000 square foot co-working space near Figueroa Mountain. The Museum of Contemporary Arts bought a parcel on Anacapa and will build a new museum there. Down the way a little, Cabrillo Bathhouse will be undergoing a major renovation at the end of the year and the restaurant space (East Beach Grill) is now for lease. Lots going on!

Project Construction on  Chapala Street

What do you enjoy most about commercial real estate?
My clients become friends and my friends become clients in a small town like SB! I’m constantly meeting new people and business owners or investors with really interesting backgrounds. Also, I’m always out and about in beautiful SB and get to tour properties I’ve always been curious about. It can be high stress at times, but it’s also high-energy and there’s always something new to learn.

Just Listed! 4BD/3BA Goleta Home on Corner Lot

Just Listed! 4BD/3BA Goleta Home on Corner Lot

A blank canvas ready for it’s new owner’s personal touches, this spacious 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home sits on a large corner lot. The interior offers approximately 2,439 sq feet of inviting living space within the two story residence. On the main level the impressive foyer will catch your eye with it’s high ceilings. Family room with authentic red brick fireplace opens to a formal dining room and kitchen with breakfast bar. Completing the main level one bedroom one bath and living room opening to the rear yard with sliding doors. On the second floor are the remaining 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, which includes a large master suite with an extra living area and en-suite bathroom. The spacious and usable back yard has all new drought resistant landscaping with plenty of room for entertaining.

The 3 car garage offers space for all your toys with a full single car garage door opening to the rear yard for added convenience. Located in a great Goleta location in University Village. Short distance to Girsh Park, Ellwood Butterfly Preserve, UCSB, shops, movie theatre, golf courses, restaurant, beaches and schools.

Offered at $899,000

Business of the Month: Brighten Solar

Brighten Solar Santa Barbara Team

Kat Hitchcock's Interview with Brighten Solar Co-Founder, Marine Schumann. 

How long has Brighten Solar been in Santa Barbara?
The company started in early 2015 so we have been around for a little over two years now. It seems like it has been a long time but it is quite fresh actually. We started right away with big commercial contracts and it’s been great. We have enjoyed all of the trainings and information that we got from our French company to start the team here. The French company started in 2007.

What is the most important reason someone would switch to solar energy?
We’re working with a lot of real estate agents to help their clients understand why they would want to go solar. I like to think the main reason would be for eco conservation reasons. Solar is a wonderful source of energy and it is unlimited. The technology has come so far that there is no reason why someone who has a solar friendly roof wouldn't want to just enjoy the technology it is super steady - low maintenance technology. In addition to the eco-conscious reasons the main factor is financial.  One would want to go solar if they are tired of spending money on high electricity bills. They can recoup their investment in usually six years, after six years it is pretty much free energy. Also because there has been studies focusing especially on Southern California Edison that shows adding Solar to your property actually increases the value of your property. If you want to build your assets and save money solar is a great investment. 

Santa Barbara Residential Project

You do both residential and commercial projects correct?
Yes, for us it is important to have a mixed portfolio. When we work on residential our niche market is really those people who don’t like to see their solar panels and want everything to be neat and optimized. So we happen to work a lot with architects and new construction because we understand when you have a multi-million dollar home or just considering the price of real estate in general in Santa Barbara it is important you make sure everything looks beautiful and adding value to your assets.

What is the biggest project you have worked on recently?
Right now we are working on Deckers headquarters on Hollister in Goleta. Definitely a big project I can’t say it is the biggest project for Goleta but it’s really exciting we just submitted permits so we are starting construction soon!

Co-Laminated Semi-Transparent Guardrail Panels

Is Solar affordable?
Solar has become affordable, for two reasons. First, if you decide to go cash you can recoup your investment super quickly. We are not talking about 20 year return on investment we are talking, as I said earlier, more like six years. With return rates averaging 15%. It is something I believe most people, at least in Santa Barbara, can afford to do. If you’re looking to invest it is definitely something you would want to look into doing. Really what is making solar affordable right now is all the different financing opportunities that are available to our clients. We don't recommend leasing solar for multiple different reasons. Solar is so profitable in itself it doesn't make sense to enter into a 20 year agreement with a third party financing company. You want to own the system.  If you cant afford to pay up front we offer solar loans, we are not a financing company but we direct our clients to the Los Angeles Credit Union, so they usually offer great rates. Most of our clients pay the first monthly payment and it turns out to be lower than their normal electricity bill. 

Can you make solar aesthetically pleasing for curb appeal?
Our DNA comes from the French company Brighten Solar. In France, Spanish style architecture is everywhere. Here I have heard “Oh we cant put solar I have a Spanish style roof it will ruin the design.” So we do have different techniques to really blend the system into the roof so from afar you either don’t see it or it looks like a skylight. What differentiates us from our competition is we don't have any ties with any manufacturer we work on a project basis and based on what our clients requirements and preferences are. There’s also solar roofs and now we can have solar tiles, this is something we call building integrated Photovoltaics or BIPV - something we have been doing already for many years.

Brighten Solar Co. Wins Los Angeles Outstanding Small Business Award

We saw brighten solar received 2016 Los Angeles Outstanding Small Business award, tell us more about that.
So the small business administration is teaming up with the city of Los Angeles to recognize the performance of small businesses across the central coast. So we have received this award some people may have put in a good word for us but it was a really big surprise! We are the only company from Santa Barbara and the only company in the renewable energy space that has received this award. We have received a couple of great awards, the other one was the Pacific Coast Business Times awards. This is a great publication so it was another wonderful honor.

What is your favorite part of what you do?
I think that I started in this business because I want to make an impact. What I love is getting people excited about being a leader, we need more leaders in this community. There is different ways to lead the way - and with climate change - this is no theory. This is happening. and people need to act on it. When I realized I would have the opportunity to make such a difference in such a beautiful environment with eco friendly people I got very excited about it. I love to see how excited people are about this, and they are super proud of what they are doing. Basically they are going to make more money out of switching to this system than they are going to make and its a genuine, mutually beneficial transaction. It’s a win win for the community, the clients and our company. We are very passionate people!

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: Bartlett & Herrington

Stefanie Herrington

I was extremely excited to interview Stefanie Herrington, Estate Planning Attorney for Bartlett & Herrington, because not only does she do amazing work for our mutual clients but has a heart of gold and really makes a huge impact in our community. 

How long have you been practicing law?
I graduated from law school seven years ago and I spent my first year clerking for a judge in Denver at the Colorado Court of Appeal. Then I spent a year practicing complex business litigation in Portland, Oregon - and I have been here (Carpinteria) for five years now - We just celebrated the 5 year anniversary of our law firm, Bartlett & Herrington.

Rotary Club of Carpinteria Sunset 

Can you tell me a little more about your role as an Estate Planning Attorney? 
I do everything from trusts and probates, trust administration after clients pass away, I do a lot of veteran planning for veterans who have low income and high medical needs, I do special needs planning for our clients, I do a lot of agricultural planning because of where we live in the Carpinteria Valley, so a lot of sub specialties but it all falls under estate planning.

Girls Inc of Carpinteria 

Why did you get into law and what do you enjoy most about it?
I was a newspaper editor and I loved it. I loved reading articles and getting breaking news and finding errors. But after awhile I had done it for ten years and I wanted more of a challenge so I decided law school would be a great education - and I didn’t think I wanted to be a lawyer until I started doing it. What I love about my job is I get to do a lot of hands on work with my clients, and often times I get to work with multiple generations so I enjoy the whole family aspect and connecting people with other resources, like Realtors!

What is the toughest part of your job?
The toughest part is also the most rewarding part which is really just delving into family dynamics and learning individual goals and their challenges and the things that worry them at night, so sometimes you get to see the worst of people and more often than not you get to see the best of people.

Do you only handle cases locally?
The vast majority of our clients are in the local area so Carpinteria, Ventura, Goleta, Santa Barbara but certainly I have clients in the Bay Area and elsewhere that are referrals for other clients. But most of our work is here.

We know you are heavily involved in the community, tell us more about your amazing community service in Carpinteria.
Mainly right now the things that I am enjoying the most and spending most of my time with are: I am serving on the board of Girls Inc in Carpinteria, so that’s an amazing organization that really impacts the lives of young girls in our community. And I have been a member of Rotary for 5 years since I moved to Carpinteria and last summer I started a new Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Carpinteria’s Sunset, and I invited all of my friends to join it - so even though I am not the president of that club I am just the secretary - I play a big role. So those are my two big projects that I spend nights, weekends and sometimes part of the day on.

Rotary Club of Carpinteria Sunset 

Price Reduced $100k! Wow! 💸 121 W De La Guerra #7

121 W De La Guerra #7 

Award winning luxury town home in downtown Santa Barbara w/a walk score of 98! Large 1 bedroom+loft unit showcases an open concept floor plan with wood floors, gourmet kitchen, granite counters, stainless appliances, gas fireplace & private patio. Luxurious bedroom features Juliette balcony, en-suite bathroom with double vanity & oversized walk-in closet. Loft is perfect for overnight guests or dedicated office. Completely gated building with elevator to street level and parking garage. Steps away from renowned amenities - including restaurants, theaters, galleries, museums, historic sites, boutiques and shopping. Less than 1 mile to waterfront and beaches.

OPEN THIS WEEK:

THURSDAY 12-2
SATURDAY 1-3:30
SUNDAY 2-4

 (805) 351-2101

One Twenty One is the winner of The American Institute of Architects Santa Barbara Chapter Merit Award for excellence in design and has been awarded the coveted Santa Barbara Beautiful Award for 2014.

Want to know what it's like to live at One Twenty One? See what neighbor Doug has to say...

New Listing! 🙌🏻 4975 Sawyer Avenue

Location, Location, Location! Opportunity to develop and utilize this Downtown Carpinteria ''PRD-20'' zoned property which offers potential for multiple units. Property consists of 2 bedroom, 1 bath home on a 6,790 sq ft corner lot. Ideal Carpinteria location near downtown bustling business district, beaches + estuary.

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: J North Productions

Jesse Natale 

What does J North Productions services consist of?
We are a commercial and promotional video production and photography company.  We do a  wide variety of projects from tv commercials, corporate and product videos, real estate, and even documentary work. 

We are also building a network of creatives which our clients will be able to access for things like web design, graphics and stock video and photos... something my partners and I will be launching later this year.

How long have you been doing videography/been in the industry??
I started working with video in high school ...like Hi 8 tapes and VHS which feels pretty ancient now... then I did some documentary non-profit work around the world. Got a commercial film degree and started my company in 2006.

How would you describe your style—documentary, cinematic or a mix of both?
I have some personal preferences in what style I like, but every project is different and we try to develop an appropriate style depending on the client and the product itself. So it's definitely a mix. 

With increasing need for video content have you noticed a spike in business?
There has definitely been a gradual increase in demand for the type of content we produce. Most business owners know by now how important good quality video and photo content is and its just a matter of when they are ready to commit moving forward. 

A lot of people are a little nervous to dive in expecting things to be expensive and time consuming but I think its important to just get started with something small to get the wheels turning. A little bit of video and photo marketing goes a long way. 

Favorite job so far ?
We feel really lucky to have so many great clients.  A lot of them are companies that use our services year round. A few of my favorite projects have been with local companies like Figueroa Mountain Brewing and Beckmen Vineyards. We have also been working with Adidas and P3 sports over the past few years and thats definitely exciting stuff to shoot. We are currently editing some promotional content for adidas that we shot a few weeks ago.


Least favorite job so far ?
I've had to shoot some boring stuff, but I probably shouldn't be too specific (wink)...we are finally at the point that we can pass on some jobs here and there that aren't the right fit. I'm trying to get better at detecting early on when it's the right fit or not. 

My least favorite part of this work is never feeling like the product is completely done and perfect.. I always feel like theres one or two things I wish were better or different. Ive heard thats pretty common for artists to feel that way...although I don't really think of myself as an artist. 


What do you most enjoy about the work you do?
I really enjoy the creative side of the work we do...not so much the business side. I love being able to create a tangible piece of work that hopefully many people will get to see.  It's all about evoking emotion out of the viewer...which sometimes can be accomplished easily and other times it takes a lot of work. We want to portray the client or product we are shooting and make the viewer feel like they are right there in it...  It feels good when we do it successfully. This industry is always changing from the technical side of things and we have to continually keep up and keep things fresh, so every day is a little different. Sometimes it's crazy long hours and working all weekend and sometimes it's a Tuesday morning and I can choose to just go for a surf instead of working... really can't beat that.


So you do real estate videography as well? Interesting real estate properties you have done?/ What was your favorite property?
Yes we definitely do a little bit of everything and there is a huge need for our services in the real estate world here in Santa Barbara for obvious reasons. 

Its fun to bring a home to life through videos and photography...sometimes can be quite challenging, but it's nice to end up getting a great product out there when it's all done. 

There are such beautiful properties in Santa Barbara so it's nice to be able to be a part of showing them off.  

We have shot a few homes in Montecito and Hope Ranch that just blow your mind. I'm not sure there is one specific favorite but If I ever get super rich Im going to just take all the best parts of each house we've shot and throw it all into one epic house.

New Listing! ⚒ Fantastic Mixed-Use Opportunity

Fantastic Opportunity for an owner/user + live/work or to develop this ''CPDR'' (residential/commercial) zoned property. Consists of a 3 bedroom home with detached 2-car garage. Great location near bustling business district, beaches and estuary. Sold “As-Is”.