From the Editors: May Business Recap
Comstock’s monthly look at the business news in the Capital Region. We fondly remember what happened in May.
Gettin’ Figgy With It
The peculiar world of fig traders and their trees
California fig farmers, who grow nearly all the figs produced in the U.S., harvested about 30,000 tons of fruit worth $22 million in 2015, according to the latest crop report from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. But of all those figs, there were just a handful of genetically distinct varieties. Meanwhile, almost uncountable heirloom varieties have fallen to the wayside or even disappeared.
Action Items: Leveraging Regional Diversity
Barry Broome and Alona Jennings discuss strengthening career pathways to entice investment
On this episode of Action Items, Greater Sacramento Economic Council CEO and President Barry Broome and Code for Hood cofounder Alona Jennings join host Tre Borden to discuss the need for Sacramento to disrupt its economy by leveraging its diversity.
Home Makers
A woman’s place in the home is as the buyer, seller — and everything in between
With the increase in female representation across the homebuilding and homebuying spectrums, the building and real estate industries have an opportunity to target this growing market, which could shift the way homes are designed, built and sold.
Women Can’t Let A Desire to Please Inhibit Our Ability to Lead
Women’s desire to please can inhibit their ability to take charge. That is one of the many factors that contribute to women comprising more than half of the American workforce, yet only a small fraction of executives.
From Accountant to Soda Founder
Tenacity and tradition leads entrepreneur to start Silk Road Soda in Roseville
When Payam Fardanesh talks about his company, Silk Road Soda, he sounds as if he’s sharing stories about one of his children. In fact, Fardanesh deftly uses the analogy to describe his company, noting that he sees Silk Road Soda as an 11-year-old: The brand still needs his guidance; it’s not ready to leave the nest just yet.
An Open Book
The open-source movement has taken on patient health — and one local woman is in the vanguard
In the Sacramento region, at least one major medical provider is already on the same page with the benefits of OpenNotes. Across the country, an estimated 13 million patients can now access their notes. This open-source movement, proponents say, represents a shift away from a paternalistic model of medical care and toward a model of fully-engaged and informed patients. And that, they argue, is better for everyone.
Don’t Let Groupthink Rule Your Workplace
The best leaders encourage their team members to challenge questionable ideas and assumptions
Groupthink is all too common when people work together in a brainstorming or planning session. This phenomenon can veer a team or company off course, or it can result in people stereotyping others, including their colleagues — neither is good for a company.
Luxury Living
The Residences at The Sawyer bring high-class homes and convenience to downtown Sacramento
A vibrant urban core is one in which the people who live there never even have to leave the neighborhood to experience concerts, sporting events and live entertainment, and who can walk to bustling restaurants of all food genres.
Turning Toward the River
The waterfronts of Sacramento and West Sacramento are prime candidates for development projects
Because the current generation of young adults and professionals prefer urban lifestyles to the spacious lawns and ample suburban backyards of their predecessors, Tuttle says the Sacramento region has an unprecedented opportunity to turn its riverfront into a tie between the two cities.