Business

Cassidy Insurance Agency is celebrating the 25th work anniversary of Kami Cady, director of personal lines. Cady’s dedication, leadership and commitment to customer service have made a positive impact on the agency and the Santa Cruz County community. Cady joined Cassidy Insurance Agency in 2001 and...

Willow Works, a new handcrafted gift boutique located next to Jayne & Co. Salon along Highway 9 in Felton, held its grand opening Saturday, after a four-week soft-launch period. It’s a collaboration between two young women, Mariana Timmer, the owner of The Clay Chalet, and...

At the Santa Cruz Gala event last month, hosted by the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, I was lucky to be seated next to Nancie Newby, president of the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation Board of Directors. Sometimes at large events you can be...

In honor and celebration of Wildfire Preparedness Week (May 3-9), Shawn Gardner and Walt Mullins, co-founders of FireRoofs, want locals to know that a new tool is available to help homeowners combat the very real threat of wildfires. Gardner managed parks and irrigation systems for...

When we see people smile, we can often sense their health and happiness. Meet Rebecca Hazelton, founder, author, nutritionist and holistic health coach. Rebecca offers even more, so let me share her story. On ChoosingHealthNow.com, you’ll find her core qualifications. She is a Licensed Certified Nutritionist,...

From April 22-May 3, Bay Area Pizza Week puts the spotlight on the craft, creativity and sheer pleasure of great pizza across the region. Building on the success of North Bay Pizza Week, Santa Cruz Pizza Week and Silicon Valley Pizza Week in 2025, the...

Remember when you started your own business? That quiet question that lingers in the background: Will I succeed … and what was I thinking? Most of my articles focus on one local business at a time. This one is a double take. Two women, two...

There are plenty of places to get a cup of coffee in Boulder Creek, but there’s a new opportunity to enjoy a cuppa in the comfort of your own home. Enter Gold Dot Roasting, an up-and-coming coffee roaster that’s just five months old and...

A little over a week ago, 12-year-old Felton resident Luke Smith got wind that the old Rite Aid building in his hometown would be reopening within days. And on March 2, at about 7:20am, he cruised over there with his 10-year-old sister Elsie, as Felton...

To my business readership and leadership audience: as AI platforms boost efficiency, how do we ensure we maintain authentic, human-centered leadership rather than becoming overly dependent on automation? Are we using automation while still maintaining emotional presence? I use ChatGPT. I attend AI conferences. I explore...