In Sacramento’s business community, legacies often power the present as much as they shape the future. Two long-standing companies, NC Equipment Solutions (formerly Nor Cal Beverage) and Nicholson & Olson, an accounting firm, stand as clear examples. Both family-owned businesses were undergoing generational transitions at the same time and, in doing so, found a unique bond that strengthened not only their operations, but also their outlooks.
For NCES, the transition marked a new chapter beyond its roots in beverage refrigeration. With a growing portfolio that now includes clients as varied as medical facilities and morgues, the company reflects the vision of a legacy redefined. At the center of that growth is Riley Bell, who returned from San Diego to join forces with his mother, Shannon Deary-Bell. Their approach — built on openness, compassion and shared understanding — has already begun to expand the company into new spaces while still honoring its history as Nor Cal Beverage.
Nicholson & Olson, meanwhile, was carrying forward its own decades-old legacy. Accounting may be quieter by nature, but the responsibility is no less vital. For years, the firm, guided by Chuck Nicholson, has been a steady hand for local businesses navigating financial complexities. That commitment took on a new dimension when Chuck’s nephew Steven returned from Oregon to step into the family business. His return, like Riley’s at NCES, marked continuity and transition rolled into one.
Their shared experiences created a natural connection between the two firms. Each saw the challenges, the uncertainties and the sense of responsibility that comes with stepping into a family’s legacy. Together, they found common ground not just in services provided, but in resilience and commitment. In many ways, their story reflects Sacramento itself — a community where businesses form a wide-reaching, connective network that organically brings partnerships like these together.
This unique partnership also highlights the essential but often overlooked role service industries play in the local economy. NCES ensures equipment stays cool and reliable. Nicholson & Olson ensures the numbers add up and businesses stay secure. Both provide foundations communities rarely think about yet depend on every day.
As each continues its path forward, their stories serve as a reminder that family-driven businesses have a special way of enduring. And when two such companies grow together, their impact reaches even further.
