Introducing...

Gabbard Wellness Group
1150 Suncast Lane, Suite 4, El Dorado Hills
800-686-2884
gabbardwellnessgroup.com


Describe your business. Did you find it, or did it find you?
A little bit of both. We were looking for a business we could do together that would give us residual income. We knew it had to be in an industry that would grow in years to come, and the healthcare/wellness industry was an obvious one!
 
What was your vision when you first started your business, and what is it now?
We wanted to stay healthy and help others to do the same. We believe that utilizing preventative and alternative remedies for various ailments that we all experience as we grow older is the right approach. We wanted to bring products to the market that were high quality and different than what was available in the stores and through other businesses. 

What is the best part of doing business in this community?
We think the people in this community are health minded and believe in being proactive rather than reactive when it comes to their health. This  community promotes outdoor activity and a healthy lifestyle through the numerous bike trails, lakes and rivers. Most people we meet are doing things that promote good health and less medication!

What was your first job, and what did you learn from the experience?
We have both been in the financial services industry for over two decades. We have learned the importance of having a plan and how to help others realize their own financial goals. We have learned how important it is to be proactive in planning for the future!

What is the best thing about being the boss?
We are in control of our time and our money, which allows us to do what we love. The people we work with are our partners.

What life accomplishments are you most proud of?
Raising two beautiful daughters who will inherit this business, and being successful at helping others build a solid financial foundation.

Who is your role model in business or in life, and why?
Ralph and Cathy Oats, founders of Wellness International Network! There are many others who have touched our lives, too numerous to name.

Where do you go when the going gets tough?
We go back inside ourselves to figure out what we need to do.

And finally, customer service is…?
Helping others, period... in any way that we can.


Bocca Catering
916-834-3554
boccacatering.com


Describe your business. Did you find it, or did it find you?
Bocca Catering is a specialized full-service catering company committed to delivering unique-quality event experiences. In 1999, I read in the Business Journal about an organization that had a lot of information about becoming a private chef, so I would say I found it.

What was your vision when you first started your business, and what is it now?
I first started serving clients as a private chef in their homes but that evolved after a few years of requests for special events, and from there I created Bocca Catering. My vision going forward is to keep it a small company, focusing on the latest food trends and keeping my hands in everything so the quality is not sacrificed.
 
What is the best part of doing business in this community?
I love that Folsom and El Dorado Hills are small and quaint communities. They are also very diverse and it’s easy to get to know a lot of different people who are great to work with.

How are you involved with both the community and your customer?
I have been involved in being a mentor for senior high school projects. I am currently in the planning stages to organize a local soup kitchen for Thanksgiving, which I am very excited about.

Why is your staff the best in the business?
My staff takes ownership and pride in their professionalism and serve clients in the best possible way.

What life accomplishments are you most proud of?
Perseverance! I worked another job for several years while creating Bocca and I didn’t give up. I believed in myself and it has paid off.

Who is your role model in business or in life, and why?
I have two: My father, he owned a successful general contracting company and I was able to see that he was very happy and successful doing what he loved. Also, my amazing mom, she is literally a saint and without her unconditional love and strength I wouldn’t be the person I am.

Where do you go when the going gets tough?
I keep my thoughts very positive and I believe in the “Law of Attraction.” With that, I put out the energy that I want back and I rarely see the "tough" in anything.

And finally, customer service is…?
Giving my clients rapid responses to requests and inquiries, providing friendly and flexible service, listening to what the customer’s needs and wants are, following up with customers, having happy employees, offering clients options, and most importantly, exceeding the customer’s expectations.


Bicycle Planet
1760 Prairie City Road, Suite 100, Folsom
916-355-1234
bicycleplanet.net


Describe your business. Did you find it, or did it find you?
I’ve been riding, racing, commuting and fixing bikes since I was 16. I moved to Folsom nine years ago and saw Cycling Nirvana, and just had to open a bike shop.

What was your vision when you first started your business, and what is it now?
A bike shop can be an intimidating place for a new cyclist. I wanted to provide a relaxed and informative atmosphere plus offer the best bikes and accessories for the casual rider up to the professional rider. Most importantly, I want to treat every customer with the same respect, whether they’re buying a high-end road bike or a tube. I want to get people enthused with cycling, and we’ve succeeded quite well.

What is the best part of doing business in this community?
Besides being a beautiful place to ride and live, Folsom has lots of dedicated people furthering healthy lifestyles. Folsom keeps progressing with new bike trails, and cycling events such as Folsom Cyclebration. With all the trails, parks, and events, Folsom gives everybody a healthy nudge.

What was your first job, and what did you learn from the experience?
I spent two years riding a moped around Los Gatos making deliveries for a pharmacy. I found that interaction with the customer went better by being punctual and greeting them with a warm smile.

How are you involved with both the community and your customer?
Several times a year we provide a free bicycle maintenance class. I also attend Folsom schools as part of Bike Rodeos, where we teach bicycle safety and repair long lines of students’ bicycles. We are a major sponsor of Bike-to-Work month in May.

Why is your staff the best in the business?
Our three full-time employees all have 2-3 decades of cycling experience, which translates into loads of important information for our customers. The key is how we offer the information in a friendly way.

What life accomplishments are you most proud of?
My marriage and my kids. Raising friendly and responsible kids takes lots of work. My wife Lynda and I have done a pretty good job. Also, starting and growing a racing team has been very rewarding. I love bringing a bunch of cycling enthusiasts together to ride and race and become real friends.

And finally, customer service is…?
Respect! Getting new customers to feel comfortable with salespeople is key. We do this by being friendly, informative and asking lots of questions to find out what the customer really needs.


GNC El Dorado Hills
4420 Town Center Boulevard, Suite 110, El Dorado Hills
916-939-0120
gnc.com


Describe your business. Did you find it, or did it find you?
GNC is the world’s largest company of its kind devoted exclusively to providing the highest quality in specialty supplements and sports nutrition, diet and energy products.
We were looking to start a business that was devoted to improving people’s quality of lives while helping them reach their health goals. When we found GNC, it seemed like a perfect fit for us.

What was your vision when you first started your business, and what is it now?
Our vision is to help our customer’s improve the quality of their lives while providing excellent customer service.
What is the best part of doing business in this community?
The residents of this community have been overwhelmingly supportive and we have received much positive feedback since establishing our business here. People are really excited about our store. 

What was your first job, and what did you learn from the experience?
My first job was working at the Sacramento City College Bookstore. That experience taught me that hard work, dedication, and having a fun personality can help you move ahead in life.

How are you involved with both the community and your customer?
We’ve lived in this area for over 15 years, and our family has been involved in Loaves and Fishes and the Leukemia Society. We always give back to our community that has always taken care of our family.

Why is your staff the best in the business?
They're dedicated to the success of our business and strive to provide great customer service.

What is the best thing about being the boss?
We have full control of our destiny!

What life accomplishments are you most proud of?
Being an immigrant from Nepal, I earned my degree from Sacramento State University and now  own a small business. I feel like I am living the American dream.  We are also proud of the two wonderful children and the great family and relatives we have.

Who is your role model in business or in life, and why?
Our fathers are our role models because they have shown us that success can be achieved with determination and hard work.
Where do you go when the going gets tough?
We turn to each other for support; we always work as a team in every decision that affects our family.

And finally, customer service is…?
Providing a shopping experience that exceeds our customer’s expectations!












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