Daily Business Report — March 11, 2011

Women-Owned Business

Some run multi-million-dollar businesses and others own businesses that are somewhat smaller, but what they have in common is an entrepreneurial spirit and dedication that drives their success. In the March issue of SD METRO Magazine (online at sandiegometro.com), in the first of a two-part series, we profile four women with the entrepreneurial spirit: Laurie Black, who launched her first company in 1986 to do political campaigns; Tracy Borkum, who has taken her career from a cocktail waitress to owning the wildly successful Cucina Urbana and Kensington Grill restaurants; Bonnie Kutch, who founded her own public relations company in 1991, and Lisa Wilson-Wirth, a certified kitchen designer whose firm, Arclinea San Diego, opened in 2005.

La Jolla Village Merchants Assn. to Oversee BID

The La Jolla Village Merchants Association has been formed to oversee the La Jolla Business Improvement District. Phil Coller of Everett Stunz was appointed president of the 14-member association board. Nancy Warwick of Warwick’s is vice president. Tom Brady of La Jolla Cottage Rentals is treasurer. Sheila Fortune of Aquamoreé was appointed secretary.

Other board members are: Egon Kafka of La Jolla Lodge; Robert Lane of La Jolla Light; Kevin Smith of Extreme Pizza; Byran King of Karl Strauss Brewery; Michelle Lerach of Cups; Scott Levin of Blue Book Publishers; Claudette Berwin of Gallery Properties; Kate Brainard of Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy; Glidia Holland of Glidia Salon; Tal O’Farrell of Endless Summer Enterprises/Wahoo’s Fish Taco; and Leon Chow of Nelson Photo Supplies.

February Homes Sales Rise 3 Percent

February home sales in San Diego County increased by 3 percent from January, according to the San Diego Association of Realtors (SDAR). Sales of detached properties increased 7.8 percent since January; however, there was a 5 percent decrease for attached properties. Compared to February 2010, detached home sales only increased by 0.2 percent, while sales of attached units decreased by just over 6 percent. The median sales price for detached properties decreased 2.6 percent since January, while the price of attached properties increased 1.5 percent, the SDAR said. Prices compared to February of last year were down for both detached and attached properties, 3 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively. “February’s sales statistics give us some positive indicators,” said Bob Kevane, SDAR president. “The uptick in sales is always a positive sign. While median price may have dipped slightly, there was not a major change. We are heading into the peak buying season and we’ll see more competition in the marketplace which should boost median sales prices some. With the threat of the phasing out of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac looming, potential buyers would be wise to take advantage of existing rates before borrowing costs potentially increase.”

Cavignac & Associates Hires Director

Rafael Fernandez, a veteran of 20 years in the risk management, safety and construction industries, has been named director of loss control and claims for Cavignac & Associates in San Diego. He is responsible for evaluating clients’ existing risk management, safety and claims management programs and developing new strategies that will help them lower their overall cost of risk. Fernandez was formerly vice president and senior consultant for Marsh Risk Consulting in San Diego. Prior to that, he was a senior risk control consultant for Majestic Insurance Co. He served another five years as director of risk management and benefits for the Grossmont Union High School District in El Cajon. Fernandez holds a master’s degree from California State University at San Bernardino and a bachelor’s degree from Pitzer College in Claremont. He is a professional member of the American Society of Safety Engineers.

Nominations Sought for Asian Heritage Awards

The Asian Heritage Society in San Diego is inviting nominations for the eighth annual Asian Heritage Awards. Nominations are being accepted in 14 categories: education, business enterprise, entrepreneurship, government, legal affairs, cultural preservation, health and medicine, military, performing arts, art and literature, innovation and technology, community service, humanitarian outreach and media. Winners in each category will be announced at the annual awards ceremony on Aug. 20 at Paradise Point Resort on Mission Bay. The awards will also will honor entrepreneur and community activist C.C. Yin, who 10 years ago was instrumental in founding the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association. Yin is McDonald’s major franchisee. Nominations may be submitted online (asianheritagesociety.org), e-mail (editorial@asiamediainc.com) or mailed to Asian Heritage Awards, C/O The Asian Heritage Society, 2920 First Ave. (G) San Diego, Ca. 92103, and include the name of the nominee, the category being nominated and why the individual or organization is worthy of recognition. Nominations should also include information on how to contact the nominee. April 15 is the deadline.

LEAD San Diego to Present 2011 Visionary Awards

LEAD San Diego will present its ninth annual Visionary Awards on May 26 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, One Park Blvd., in San Diego. Networking is at 5 p.m. and the program starts at 6:45 p.m.

The 2011 honorees:

• Morgan Award. Yvonne Larsen, Community Volunteer. Awarded for a lifetime of dedicated community service in our region.

• Graduate of the Year. Jan Tuttleman, Chair, Jewish Federation of San Diego County; president, Women Give San Diego. Awarded to a LEAD graduate who epitomizes excellence in community leadership.

• Ronald Kendrick Memorial Award for Regional Collaboration. Gary Gallegos, executive director, San Diego Association of Governments. Awarded for visionary leadership on a complex regional issue, balancing individual community interests with the needs of our greater region.

• Charles Nathanson Memorial Award for Cross-Border Region Building. José Galicot Behar, founder, Tijuana Innovadora. Alejandro Bustamante, president, Plantronics Mexico (PLAMEX). Awarded for visionary leadership in addressing and demonstrating joint solutions to cross-border issues.

• Economic Opportunity. Greg Lucier, CEO and chairman of the board, Life Technologies. Awarded for visionary leadership in creating economic opportunities that improve the quality of life in our region that might not otherwise exist absent their efforts

• Community Spotlight Award and the Herbert G. Klein Visionary Award: To be announced the evening of May 26.

Small Business Workshops:

• March 12 – QuickBooks Basic – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• March 12 – Internet Marketing 101: Use the Internet to Successfully Market Your Business – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• March 14 – Business Basics 101 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; No charge – please preregister).

• March 15 – Hiring and Managing Employees – 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).

• March 17 – California Sales and Use Tax Basics – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).

• March 18 – Women’s Networking Breakfast & Exhibits – 8 to 11 a.m. at Morgan Run Resort & Club (5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe 92091; Attendees: $30 by March 15, $40 thereafter; Exhibitors: $80 by March 15, $90 thereafter).

• March 19 – Introduction to Starting Your Own Business – 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).

• March 19 – Business Plan 201: How to Write a Winning Business Plan – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University – Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).

The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. (619) 906-4104.