2009 Celebration of Entrepreneurship Winners
Becker Surfboards - www.beckersurf.com
DAVE HOLLANDER
2009 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
In this age of shrinking profits and mega-store proliferation, Hermosa Beach-based Becker Surfboards has remained a successful family-run store with a reputation for quality. Dave Hollander owns Becker with Steve Mangaigli, who runs the world's oldest surfboard factory at its original location. Hollander chalks up the company's continued success to timing. The year Becker opened, 1980, marked the birth of the surf industry, he explains, because O'Neill brought its wetsuits down to Southern California and Quicksilver imported its fashion line from Down Under that year. “It was more than just surfboards that people were willing to sell. All these little fledgling companies were starting around then,” Hollander recalls.
Founding owner Phil Becker (who recently retired) began building Becker's solid reputation when Hollander was still building boards. “I went to work for Bing Surfboards when I was 15. He liked my boards and he liked me. I walked in and said to myself, 'Someday this is going to be mine.' Twelve years later, I called my mom and asked her if she remembered what I said my first day of work?of course, she did,” he says. “I told her, 'Well, I just leased the building.'” Hollander knew it would be a mistake to make Becker a mega store. “It's not the mall, not your typical fiberglass franchise-type store. I realized years ago we didn't want to get too big and become sterile,” he says. With about 135 employees, Becker hasn't been forced to close any of its six stores during the recession. In fact, it has plans to open an additional store focused on the popular stand-up paddle. “Now it's about staying lean and being smart about running our business,” continues Hollander, who lives in Manhattan Beach. “To a degree, it's kind of fun. Every day is a new game.”
Coach Derek Inc. - www.coachderek.com
COACH DEREK LOCKLEAR
2009 ENTREPRENEUR OF A DISTINGUISHED BIZ FOR KIDS
Coach Derek Locklear understands the importance of sports in children's lives and founded Coach Derek, Inc. in 2002 with the mission of providing a place for young children to have a productive and positive first experience in sports. At Coach Derek, Inc. kids learn how to play sports, develop teamwork skills, and prepare to play sports in schools and leagues. Eight and 12-week programs are designed to introduce kids to the basics of baseball, soccer, basketball, and football. On average, the company runs 45 programs a week in beach cities from Playa Vista to Palos Verdes. Class sizes range from five to 14 students, ensuring small coach-to-athlete ratios. Under the guidance of Locklear and his staff of five coaches, children learn everything from the rules of each game to how to handle the ball. Each session ends with a scrimmage where every child has an opportunity to play, regardless of skill level.
With the philosophy that “field lessons inspire life lessons,” Locklear is passionate about teaching more than just sports basics. Equally important to him is that each child build confidence and self-esteem, develop an active lifestyle, and learn how to fail without feeling like a failure. His approach is based on the belief that starting kids out right will help them to be successful and ultimately stay with sports longer. An avid sportsman himself, Locklear played baseball and basketball for many years before a shoulder injury dashed his dreams of becoming major league baseball player. He moved to Manhattan Beach from North Carolina in 2001, with neither a plan nor much money. After working for a short time at Spectrum Club gym, where he created several successful youth sports programs, he took a chance and branched out on his own, starting Coach Derek, Inc. with a handful of kids and supportive parents. Since then, over 3,000 kids have learned how to play sports at Coach Derek, Inc. “Let's Give 'Em a Shot” is a non-profit version of Coach Derek, Inc. that provides the same sports programs at no cost to children who live in socioeconomically challenged communities. As Coach Derek, Inc. continues to expand throughout the South Bay and beyond, Locklear strives to preserve making a positive connection with each and every child who attends one of his programs.
Natural Simplicity - www.naturalns.com
MARISA SCARDA & MARIO SANDOVAL
2009 OUTSTANDING NEW BUSINESS
Recently named “Best of the Best Flower Shop” by the El Segundo Herald, Natural Simplicity opened its doors in downtown El Segundo in April 2008, winning rave reviews for its simple yet sophisticated floral arrangements. Floral designer Mario Sandoval worked out of his home for 12 years before partnering with longtime friend and former Realtor Marisa Scarda, slowly building his reputation. With his artistry and Marisa's marketing savvy, Natural Simplicity has flourished the past two years, despite the economic downturn. Marisa is quick to attribute this success to their personalized service and Mario's creativity. “He puts a lot into it. He lets his imagination go wild,” Marisa says. “Each arrangement design is created with your dreams in mind."
When the El Segundo Chamber of Commerce named Natural Simplicity 2008 Merchant of the Year after just eight months of business, both she and Mario were surprised and honored. Natural Simplicity supplies fresh flowers to local businesses, such as Second City Bistro and Flemings in El Segundo, and out-of-state clients as far away as New York and Pennsylvania. “No matter where you are located, you will be treated like family, says Marisa. “We add a personal touch. When you call, you will reach one of us.” Both she and Mario enjoy giving back to their community by donating beautiful arrangements to local churches and schools.
Resilience has characterized 2009, their second year in business. “We started when the economy was bad and we're very lucky: It hasn't affected us. Everyone is still sending flowers, people are still getting married, corporations are still holding events,” Marisa says, adding that their excellent customer service, reasonable prices and originality ensure their continued growth.
Dr. Janelle Holden, D.D.S a Pediatric Dentist
DR. JANELLE HOLDEN
2009 ENTREPRENEUR OF A DISTINGUISHED BIZ FOR KIDS
Dr. Janelle Holden, DDS specializes in pediatric dentistry, offering a full range of dental services for children in her Manhattan Beach office. She believes that each person's smile is an important part of who he or she is and aims to preserve those smiles starting from a young age. Recognizing that a trip to the dentist is often an intimidating experience for children, she and her staff have implemented fun ways to encourage kids to have positive associations with taking care of their teeth and mouths.
Her jungle-themed office is intended to put children at ease and boasts private individual rooms for patients, uncommon in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Holden allows parents to be present for all treatments and family members can be treated together in special sibling rooms. She prides herself in being especially attentive to children's needs. For instance, if a child is having a difficult experience, she takes the time to talk to the child. If the patient is still uncomfortable, she encourages him or her to come back another day. Dr. Holden has known since childhood that she wanted to be a dentist. She attended both U.S.C. dentistry and pediatric schools, during which time she worked as a dental hygienist in Beverly Hills. In 1995, she built her own practice in the South Bay, where she also lives. In 2004, Dr. Holden created and marketed Tanner's Tasty Paste, a kid's toothpaste sold in pediatric offices and private pharmacies around the country. Available in vanilla, chocolate, and creamsicle flavors, the idea is to get kids to enjoy brushing their teeth. She has seen great success with the toothpaste, especially among children with special needs. Her greatest reward has been watching her patients grow up and go off to college with beautiful smiles and healthy teeth.
Sangria Restaurant / Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation
www.sangriahermosa.com / www.jimmymillerfoundation.org
KEVIN BARRY
2009 DISTINGUISHED PHILANTHROPIC EVENT
Kevin Barry's inspiration for starting Sangria was all around him-22 boarded-up businesses in downtown Hermosa Beach. While others may have seen despair, Barry saw opportunity. And he found one opportunity created yet another. After nearly tripling the size of the restaurant in a five-year span, Barry, who is also a long-time lifeguard, realized that his expanded space would be a perfect venue for lifeguard fund-raisers, retirement parties and other events.
Sangria has become a symbol of commitment to the community. It continues to be the site of high-profile fund-raisers and a gathering point for the beach community. He says that in addition to helping a lot of people, the evolution of Sangria from a traditional restaurant space to a gathering place to host fund-raisers and parties has been a lot of fun. Barry's commitment to Hermosa Beach and the South Bay is obvious. He lives here and he wanted to work where he lives. His success was helped not only by his customers, but also by the experience he gained working as a restaurant manager. That Barry has created a space that is designed to help as much as it is to entertain is not surprising. When he was younger he was community- and civic-minded, wanting to either be a doctor or an astronaut. He's also given back to the community by being a lifeguard for the last 30 years.
Sangria, Kevin Barry's Hermosa Beach restaurant, has built a reputation as a gathering place to commemorate special events and raise awareness. Barry's had a personal commitment to many of these causes, but none more so than the Jimmy Surf Contest After Party. The event, a fund-raiser hosted by the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation, raises awareness, money and celebrates the life of the late Jimmy Miller. Barry, a friend and fellow lifeguard with Miller, was asked by Miller's family to get involved with the foundation and use the space at Sangria as the after party for the day's events. The event is not only fun, involving the entire community from kids to grandparents, but doubles as an awards banquet and fund-raiser, complete with a silent auction.
This was the fifth year that Sangria has offered its space for the after party, and Barry says that every year the event goes a bit more smoothly, while seeing its reach get bigger and wider thanks to the Internet and other social media. The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation uses “ocean therapy,” including surfing, to help those who have suffered physical or mental trauma. It has recently been introduced to Fort Pendleton marines returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Several of these marines took part in the day's events and spoke during the after party about how the program has improved their lives. This year's event had an even more personal impact on Barry, a former employee and friend who is battling ovarian cancer was also recognized and helped by the fund-raiser. Perhaps the greatest reward Barry has received from being involved with the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation has been seeing all of the kids who have been caught in its charitable wake and the joy that have found in helping others.
South Bay Brokers - www.southbaybrokers.com
JACK GILLESPIE & JIM VAN ZANTEN
2009 OUTSTANDING REAL ESTATE ENTREPRENEUR
Jack Gillespie of South Bay Brokers in Redondo Beach has been in real estate in the South Bay for 37 years. He is Co- President of the progressive company, which he co-founded with partner Jim Van Zanten in 1985. Gillespie supervises and advises over an astounding 400 transactions per year and has personal sales in excess of $50,000,000 annually. He specializes in new and existing single family homes, exchanging, relocation, and investment properties. Occasionally, he serves in an advisory capacity for pricing on single family residences to large-scale developmental projects.
Working closely with his licensed assistant, Gillespie is committed to providing quality service to his clients, doing so with honesty and integrity. He feels that his “knowledge, experience, understanding, accountability, and creativity” set him apart from other agents and brokers in the industry. Even with all of his years of experience, Gillespie still looks for ways to improve himself and continues ongoing education to better serve his clients.
Gillespie sits on the Advisory Board of the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation and he and his wife, Maureen, are active volunteers in the community, sponsoring volleyball, football, hockey, soccer and basketball programs in the South Bay schools.
Of utmost importance to Gillespie is that his clients understand and feel comfortable with how he represents them, which has made him one of the South Bay beach cities' top-producing real estate agents for many years.
The Sweatshirt Project
JASON JONES
2009 OUTSTANDING YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR
At just 15 years old Jason Jones, then a sophomore at Mira Costa High School, took his entrepreneurial spirit and created The Sweatshirt Project, a community service endeavor in which he single-handedly collected hundreds of new and “gently used” sweatshirts from all over the South Bay. Two years later, his project has doubled in size, providing hundreds of South Bay families in need with the warmth they deserve. After realizing that his sports-related injuries would prevent him from joining his high school's basketball team, Jones decided to focus his energy on something else. His mother, who he said inspired him to start his project, had showed him an article of how some teenagers had collected old VHS tapes and redistributed them to people in need. Jones said he was inspired to do something similar. “I originally thought of collecting pajamas but after thinking about it more, I figured sweatshirts were more useful,” he said. He immediately enlisted the help of every school by combing through their Lost & Found collections for sweatshirts, persuaded the Manhattan Beach Cub Scouts to collect sweatshirts with their November canned food drive, and organized a sweatshirt drive at the after-school program at Pacific School where he volunteers as a tutor and coach. Then, he convinced several local dry cleaners to wash all the sweatshirts for free.
For the past two years, Jones has set up a “free store” Saturday before Thanksgiving, at the Richstone Family Center in Hawthorne, an organization that provides services to families dealing with abuse. He then welcomes children and adults to select a sweatshirt when they come to pick up their donated Thanksgiving meals. His philanthropic event went from 400 sweatshirts in 2008 to 1000 for 2009. Jason, who wants to attend USC business school, said that his entrepreneurship experience has inspired him to one day have his own business that will entail giving back to the community. “I think the responsibility and independence of this project has given me confidence and has inspired me to one day have my own business,” he said. “I think the gratitude that you get when you are able to give back is well worth the time and effort you put into it. My hope is that more people my age step out of the bubble and see how others live and realize that the people in need are only a few miles away from where we live. I just really want people who are able to live here to respect and appreciate what they have."
Wild Eyes Productions - www.wildeyeproductions.com
DAVID KEANE
2009 OUTSTANDING ENTREPRENEUR
David Keane has taken entrepreneurial risk to a different level. Keane is the founder and driving force of Wild Eyes, a small documentary film company based in downtown Hermosa Beach that tackles large and unnervingly far-flung projects. The Wild Eyes production team consists of only eight full-time employees yet has filmed on six continents and in over sixty countries. The documentaries have explored such topics as the search for bin Laden, the death of Pablo Escobar, the Iranian hostage crisis, and the dark art of interrogation. Keane has travelled with guerillas through South American jungles, trekked across the Sahara, sat on stakeouts on busts of Chechen drug lords in China, and maneuvered with his own crew of hired thugs through the streets of Mogadishu in search of the true story of Black Hawk Down. Wild Eyes films have appeared on the Discovery, History, National Geographic, and A & E channels.
Keane is a Colorado native who began his career in print journalism and moved to California to work as a screenwriter in Hollywood. He was living in the South Bay when he first got a taste of the visceral world of documentary filmmaking while with a locally-based filmmaker Rob Engelhardt on a show about high security prisons in 1995, then worked with documentarian Rasha Drachkovitch on a variety of programs - including one following the most dangerous police beats around the world - before launching his own production company in 2000. He met his future wife and business partner Arcadia Berjonneau that same year - one of their first dates was on a stakeout with New Orleans narcotics police - and together they grew Wild Eyes into one of the most successful production companies of its kind.Keane one of those determined few who is doing exactly what he loves to do: finding stories about a very wide world and telling them on film. Keane has recently inked a deal with Warner Bros. for a feature film based on the true story of a Delta Force mission to retake a prison in Atlanta that had been taken over by inmates.from where we live.
Skechers - www.skechers.com
MICHAEL & WENDY GREENBERG
2009 JUDGE'S CHOICE AWARD
Additional information coming soon.
White Light White Night's "Walk with Sally" - www.walkwithsally.org
MICHAEL HARRINGTON & WIL SILVA
2009 MYSTERY AWARD WINNER
A cancer diagnosis affects not only the patient, but their families and friends as well. Most hard hit of all are the patient's children. Walk with Sally teams mentors with kids who have a parent diagnosed with cancer, lending a supportive hand or shoulder to help them deal with this life-changing event. It takes about $1,000 a year to support each mentor and that's where White Light White Night comes in to lend its own hand. Michael Harrington and Wil Silva chair the philanthropic efforts of this organization, which was founded specifically to support the work of Walk with Sally's program. But the goal of the program is more than just to raise money, but to create a sense of community and awareness about the important work that the charity does.
White Light White Night is a call to action, bringing the community together to celebrate life and the healing power of community. Everyone who attends the yearly fund-raiser is asked to wear white, which, Harrington says creates an energy among the participants. The fundraiser has been successful in numerous ways, raising money, awareness, and recruiting new mentors and families coping with the pain of a parent with cancer. Harrington and Silva, both businessmen themselves, bring their organizational acumen to the table, so the success of the event isn't surprising. What does surprise them is the amount of support they have found-from the business community that routinely donates time and money to the fund-raiser to the public support that's been generated. The event now draws several hundred people a year and, thanks to the savvy use of social media, has generated more than 15 million media impressions.
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2009 Celebration of Entrepreneurship Winners
