45 Years of Powering Dreams: How a Family Business Grew into a Community Pillar In 1986, Diana O’Valle opened a small childcare center in her family’s two-bedroom Oakland home. Today, her daughter Sandi Zorinich leads Rockridge Montessori, the business Diana started nearly forty years ago. In that time, this family-run business has grown into…
David Cruz’s passion for sports and community fueled the creation of Rep It Out LLC, an indoor baseball and softball training facility newly opening in Vallejo, CA. With over a decade of coaching experience and a background in mental health support services, David has merged his love for sports with a desire to positively impact…
Already successful business owners of the popular downtown Oakland nightlife destination, Bar Shiru, Shirin Raza and Daniel Gahr have been interested in developing a new outlet for their creativity for some time. The idea for launching their first business in 2019 emerged from a deep love for music and a desire to create a space…
Infinite Performance Physical Therapy is a specialized physical therapy clinic dedicated to athletes who seek the highest level of performance. Unlike traditional physical therapy clinics, Infinite Performance Physical Therapy focuses on providing targeted, sport-specific rehabilitation and training, creating an environment where athletes can truly excel. The clinic was founded with the vision of offering athletes…
Grace Homes Inc is a residential care facility dedicated to providing compassionate care for individuals with mental disabilities, with a primary focus on those with autism. Established by mother and son duo, Omozele Biggins and Osamudiamien Aigbuza, the facility is located in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco. Grace Homes offers a safe and nurturing…
In an industry dominated by legacy dealers and traditional approaches, Fairway EV has carved out a unique niche, focusing exclusively on the commercial electric vehicle (EV) market. The business’ story began in the small town of Morgan Hill, where founder Mary Vargas initially bought and sold used vehicles as a hobby. A chance meeting with…
At the end of March 2020, Jacques Oskanian found himself with around $30,000 worth of wedding invitations that no one had come to claim sitting in his showroom. His award-winning business, Hyegraph, specializes in invitations and calligraphy for weddings as well as corporate and private events. They carry a wide selection of designer brands such…
Tired of the inefficiencies and grind of both the private and nonprofit sectors, Jonas Maceda felt ready to strike out on his own. “I wanted to gain financial freedom, set my own hours and my own expectations, and reward myself for all the hard work I’ve done in the last 21 years,” he reflects. From…
After over thirty years of working in law enforcement, Ken Kramer retired, but he wasn’t quite ready to stop working yet. Having served as Chief Investigator for the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, he wanted to continue working with the law enforcement community. He founded The Gumshoe Group in February 2019 to provide pre-employment background…
Growing up in Argentina, Waldo Cesoni watched his father run a hotel and restaurant business. His Italian immigrant parents instilled a strong sense of hospitality in their son from a young age. “To me, the restaurant is your home. You just welcome your friends and never treat it as a business,” Waldo reflects. He enjoyed…
