Entrepreneur Eats

P.S. Someone Cares’s annual Casino Royale fundraiser will be Saturday, May 3, 7-10 p.m. at the Elks Club in Escondido, 2430 S. Escondido Blvd. Peggy Seymour, founded P.S. Someone Cars in 2017, and the first scholarship was given in 2018. The scholarships go to nursing home students who are also stay-at-home parents. So far, P.S. Someone Cares has given away 28 scholarships totaling $60,000. They range from $2,000 to $4,000. One hundred percent of funds raised go to scholarships.The organization was created to address two serious needs in our community: Single parent households financial need of support to improve their lives; The shortage of nurses required to meet our communities’ needs. Peggy Seymour described how, when she was studying to be a nurse and was struggle to raise children, that someone helped her financially and only asked that she “pay it forward.” Helping to found P.S. Someone Cares, is how she did that. “This is what it’s all about. It’s very near and dear to me that we can help these people,” she said.Get your tickets by Friday night at www.pssomeonecares.org

Deputy Mayor Consuelo Martinez has been involved in the community for over two decades. She is a passionate leader and independent thinker that provides a refreshing voice of reason in a divisive political climate. Consuelo cares and listens to community where she works to uplift and give a voice to those who are often left behind. Consuelo wears many hats and all are in service to the city she loves and grew up in.As a creative, Consuelo also enjoys running her small business — Hidden City Finds. Hidden City Finds is a vintage and modern shop located inside the Escondido Antique Mall. Consuelo likes to find vintage and second-hand treasures as a sustainable way to shop and also support a circular economy. Consuelo loves supporting creatives and small businesses. Ask her for a tour or recommendations of favorites in our city and region.

Brian Murphy started American Furniture Design and Murphy's Fine Woodworking over 35 years ago, American Furniture Design was sold in 2017 to Lee Valley Tools, in Canada. American Furniture Design was the 3rd largest woodworking plan company in the states.Brian is recognized as a leader in the Arts and Crafts design discipline. His furniture is in galleries from Muncy, Pennsylvania and throughout the country.He has received numerous awards and recognition for his work and continues to design in a bold new style. In 2008 he was awarded First Honourable Mention in the Custom Working Business Magazine, a National Contest for residential furniture. In 2012 he was among the top 3 in the same national contest and in 2016. In 2017 he placed in residential furniture for a contest sponsored by Woodworking Network National.Brian resides in Escondido with his wife Nancy. They have two children and three grandchildren.www.murphysfinewoodworking.com

Michelle Lockyer is Co-Director for the Miss Escondido Pageant and founder of the Miss Escondido Pageant/North County Pageant. Mentoring young women is her passion, and she loves teaching skills such as public speaking, modeling, makeup, networking, interviewing, and resume writing. Community involvement has always been a central joy in her life. Along the way, Her mission is to help every woman recognize and embrace her true worth. As a member of the Ewomen network, and through her work with the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, she aims to spread Her message to thousands, empowering more women to step into their full potential.

Kay Bates, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, moved to the United States in 1981 and became a naturalized citizen of the United States. From St. Croix to New York to San Diego, her journey is a fascinating story of a natural entrepreneur.Kay has been a licensed REALTOR since 2002, and has worked in the Real Estate industry since 1992. Kay Bates has been committed to “Excellent Service” to all of our clients. Kay is very active in the community, working with Interfaith Ministries, Future Farmers of America (FFA), Assistance League, Toast Masters, and many others.

Keith Vasquez was born and raised on the San Pasqual Indian Reservation in Southern California near Valley View Casino Hotel. He is an enrolled Kumeyaay-Ipai tribal member.Mr. Vasquez has coached and mentored San Pasqual inter-tribal sports teams in reservation-based athletic programs. He is currently partnered with NFL Flag San Diego to recruit young athletes from their Indian reservations and urban housing to compete in organized sports activities, competitive leagues and tournaments. Keith provides American Indians a tribal voice in amateur, school, collegiate, and professional Sports Media, while also providing Indian youth access to organized sports leagues and athletic programs both on and off their SOCAL Indian reservations.https://nativeyouthfoundation.org/ https://www.instagram.com/nativemediateam/

Valley Center and Escondido rely on honesty and truth from David Ross, Editor of the Valley Roadrunner for 40 years and the Escondido Times Advocate for 10 years. He has been there and written about all of it, authoring over 60,000 substantial articles. While he attended Palomar College early on, degrees in writing came later in his 50’s when he received a Bachelor’s in Communication and Media Studies from Ashford University, and a Master of Arts in Military History from Norwich University.Ross received the1991Award for Best of Show from the San Diego Press Club and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 1993 he was honored in Reno to accept the prestigious Reporter of the Year award from the State Farm Bureau. The notable annual San Diego Press Club awards continue for Ross who has racked up a number of ribbons, trophies, and accolades as recent as 2023.Today, he continues to provide up-to-date business information, community developmental issues, how the county affects our lives, and the never-ending question about Vons—it’s local current news at its best.

Daniel Kirwin is a product manager for a Texas energy company, and has developed a home maintenance product in his spare time that helps simplify finding the right contractor or handyman for your home maintenance.Fixed That For You (Website Link) helps you find and automatically connect with trusted professionals, receive quotes, and manage your projects -- all without having to pick up a phone or send an email. They handle the hassle of finding, comparing, and booking home improvement pros—so you can get back to what matters most.Daniel grew up in Cardiff by the Sea, then went to college in Washington DC. After graduating, he worked in New York City for several start-ups, becoming a Product Manager and a part of an AI solutions team. A year ago, he moved to Houston, TX to be a Product Manager for a company that helps manage electrical grid load through smart appliances and predictive programs. He is engaged to be married in May, 2025.

Douglas Shultz talks to us about jiu-jitsu, surfing, and giving back to the community, as well as the impacts to the quality of life in Escondido after passing measure I, and the citizen oversight committee.Douglas Shultz has over 10 years of financial experience which started at Wells Fargo where he worked for almost 8 years. Douglas obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Ashford University and has a Certificate in Financial Planning from Pepperdine University and is currently studying to take the CFP® examination. Douglas currently serves as the City Treasurer for Escondido, CA where he manages a 100 million dollar portfolio.Douglas is an active member of Rotary and the Boy Scouts of America as a scout leader. He also served as a board member for the Escondido Education Foundation for 2 years. In his spare time Douglas enjoys surfing, movies and spending time with his family.

Mayor Dane White returns to discuss the clean up of the Escondido Creek Homeless Encampment on December 16, the impact of measure I on making this possible, and what 2025 holds for the city.Elected in November, 2022, Dane White is Escondido's youngest mayor at age 33. White is a fifth generation Escondido native. He is married to Kelsey White, a special education teacher. They have two daughters SonnyJan and Hattie. He comes to the mayor’s job from serving on the Escondido Union High School District board.

Richard is a Veteran of the United States Army, a professional speaker, as well as a performance business coach and trainer. Richard is also an established author of Expect Great Things To Happen: Five Core Principles of Highly Effective Business Professionals. RDM Management Group is a training company which focuses on professional development , sales, and leadership training. The core of Richard’s practice is based on four key principles: Self-Discipline, Self-Confidence, Motivation, and Emotional Intelligence. These are the same four key principles which have allowed Richard to have a successful 30-year career in business and sales.

Christian Garcia ran for District 3 Council seat because he believes in service. “I really believe that a life of service is only means of fulfillment,” he says. In his younger days, he served in the Peace Corps as a teacher in Cambodia. “I feel in love with teaching. It is a public service, improving the lives of people.” Teaching is his day job—the city council is a part-time job— and it is what he has been doing off and on for 12 years.“Because these are my neighbors. It’s the people I love. It’s one of the few offices where you are serving people you buy coffee with, and ride the bus with. It’s the closest government to the people. You are removed from the larger political landscape.”Garcia teaches Math and Social Studies at a private school. He has a degree from USC in Public Policy and a BA in Political Science and International Relations from UC Irvine. He served previously on the board of Palomar College and is president of his local HOA, an experience, he says, that offers a lot of good instruction in local politics. He has been married five years and has a one year old son.

E. & J. Metal Supply first opened its doors in July 2004 and was founded by brothers Efrain and Jose Mendoza. After working in the metal business for more than twenty-seven years, the two brothers decided to open a steel yard of their own. They both put their minds to it and ventured out to make their dream come true.As we head towards the future, E.&J. puts Yessenia Mendoza, Efrain and Amparo's daughter, up front and center. Yessenia was appointed as part owner in 2017. She will lead us into the next phase of the family business.

Isaac, Luke and James are students attending Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad. They have a ton of business ideas and are true Entrepreneurs at the fearless age of 13 and 14. They discuss how they became friends and business partners, their successes, their challenges and their next idea.

Paul Loska, CEO and co-founder of GIS Surveyors is responsible for managing the overall operations of the company. With 30 years of land surveying expertise, Paul’s vision is clear: Cultivate the right team of professionals to deliver high-quality, innovative geospatial solutions for every client.Under Paul’s leadership, he has grown GIS Surveyors to more than 70 employees with offices in San Diego and Orange counties, as well as Seattle and Cincinnati. The firm is now an employee-owned company with clients in the industry segments of municipalities, utilities, and government agencies.

The mayor discusses the passage of Measure I, and his vision for how the increased revenue can best be used to address the city's budget challenges - and even hopefully make the city better.Elected in November, 2022, Dane White is Escondido's youngest mayor at age 33. White is a fifth generation Escondido native. He is married to Kelsey White, a special education teacher. They have two daughters SonnyJan and Hattie. He comes to the mayor’s job from serving on the Escondido Union High School District board.

Genaro Rodriguez has always been very business-oriented, always into building something for himself. “That’s all thanks to my parents. We come from very financially unstable families … But when you’ve been in that situation, you try everything to not be in that situation again.” In addition to the E•’lo•te stand in Valley Center, his parents grow and sell strawberries and run the Rodriguez Nursery in Valley Center. Unlike a traditional Mexican restaurant, E•’lo•te has a limited menu of a handful of dishes. Once a customer decides between a burrito, taco, corn, or potato, then they can pick which protein and toppings they want. Other hallmarks include an open kitchen so customers can quickly get their food after ordering from a kitchen they know is clean. Also, Rodriguez prioritizes high-quality, fresh and diverse ingredients so that both the tastebud-driven omnivore and health-conscience vegan can enjoy burritos together, even if it means higher prices than more traditional spots in the area.

Mary Hillebrecht represents the vibrant history of Escondido! Her family has been a part of our city for over 100 years. She and her siblings still farm here, and are the owners of the iconic Farm Stand West. As a whole, the agricultural picture in San Diego County has changed remarkably from 1924 when George Hillebrecht came here to plant virgin land to an orchard. The crops then were citrus, flowers, vegetables, grapes, and grain and feed crops for the livestock. There were many poultry ranches, dairies, and cattle ranches in those days. Today, the San Diego County billion dollar agricultural production has shifted to flower, and ornamental plants…. not food crops…. for over half of the total agricultural income. Behind that number one category are avocados, citrus, row crops, strawberries, a few dairies, many acres but not much income from cattle ranching, egg ranches, mushrooms, and herbs. People do not think of agriculture when you mention San Diego County, but we still bring a great many jobs here and also many dollars. These are our own estimates and our own views!

Stef Holden is a Navy Vet and a dedicated volunteer in our city. Currently he is the 2nd Vice Chair of American Legion Post 149, President of Brothers of 6, President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Escondido, and Co-Chair of VetFest. He also volunteers at Brother Bennos, and is on the Steering Committee for Grape Day Fest.Escondido VetFest – put on by American Legion JB Clark Post 149 and the Brothers of 6 Charities, Inc – is looking forward to the fifth VetFest Parade and Festival to be held November 11, 2024.

With an understanding of the practical needs of his clients, Carl J. Skaja’s extensive litigation and transactional experience have earned him a reputation of excellence throughout Southern California. Carl has earned the respect of both his clients and opposing counsel by skillfully managing his clients’ matters with a results-oriented approach.His case management, mediation, arbitration, trial and transactional skills provide his clients with valuable insight geared toward the most efficient and cost-effective resolution of both litigation and transactional matters. Carl represents a wide variety of clients including, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, landlords, retail business owners, realtors, brokers and many other small to medium sized businesses with all of their legal needs.

Carl has been honored as the Business Leader of the Year by the Escondido Chamber of Commerce and is the recipient of the Public Safety Award by the City of Escondido.

Jennifer’s journey from a small village in Vietnam to a successful entrepreneur in the United States is a story of dreams, courage, and determination. She has created a legacy of excellence and care, inspiring everyone she meets. Jennifer Daffern’s story reminds us that with hard work and heart, dreams can become reality.

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Ed Varso joined the City team in 2001 when he was hired as a Police Officer by the Escondido Police Department, and was promoted to Escondido Chief of Police January 1, 2020. Varso knows the workings of the Escondido Police Department thoroughly, since he has worked in nearly every division within the Department.We discuss the readiness of the Department to respond to emergencies, as well as the other day to day work of keeping the community safe, and the potential impacts to Police services if Measure I passes or fails.

Colleen MacKinnon is a native of Escondido; her family family moved here in 1952. Colleen is active in many community service organizations from the Rotary Club of Escondido to the Escondido Community Foundation. She Joined the Yes On Measure I Committee as Co-Chair in June.The City’s funding issues are complex and long-standing. The Yes On Measure I Committee shares how it could be a tremendously impactful way to solve this problem.

Chief Tenger has been in the fire service for nearly 28 years and has served as the Fire Chief for the City of Escondido since July 2023. His career began as a volunteer firefighter with the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District in 1997. Chief Tenger began his fulltime professional career as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the City of Escondido in January 1999.We discuss the readiness of the Department to respond to emergencies, and the potential impacts to Fire and Rescue services if Measure I passes or fails.

Greg Anglea has been Interfaith Community Services Executive Director in May 2014 and is currently the Board President of the Alliance for Regional Solutions, Board Member of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, Co Chair of the North County Live Well Leadership Team, and Immediate Past President of the North County Philanthropy Council.We discuss solutions for Escondido's homeless issues, and the potential impacts to those solutions if Measure I passes or fails.