Small Business, Big Impact

Happy New Year! The end of 2024 was an interesting period of learning for me. I came across this lady named Codie Sanchez. She talks about small businesses as a financial investment. But my focus for today is the importance of small businesses as a community investment and how proud I am to live in Castro Valley.

Baby boomers own 41 percent of small businesses. That’s about 12 million businesses that employ about 25 million people. That’s a lot of jobs and money flowing around! The scary thought is, what happens when they decide to retire? Do those businesses live on? Or do they close shop, and we lose access to their goods and services?

Those who want the business to live on can run into some issues. One possible issue is that there is no heir to take over. It’s also very possible that the business just isn’t sellable. 

I took a moment to pause and think about Castro Valley, my home. Through the Chamber of Commerce, I’ve met many business owners across all generations. It’s very different meeting real people versus reading a statistic. What stands out to me is that they are truly experts in what they do and take pride in their work (as they should), on top of being great human beings.

The thought of any of those businesses closing brought a sense of sadness, which I’m sure many of us felt when Rudy’s Donuts closed in December. Small businesses really are the heart of Castro Valley. We think fondly of the family-owned and mom-and-pop shops such as Los Portales or Al’s Market, or the individuals who grew up in Castro Valley, went away to develop professional skills, then came back to Castro Valley to do business, like Unincorporated. These business owners not only have a solid business but run business in a way that is uniquely Castro Valley. The sense of welcoming and community is undeniable.

As a coach, I regularly discuss the importance of community, big or small. When I think of my home, I feel calm and stable because I can go into a shop and say hi to the owners or the workers there as though it were a family reunion or a friend’s gathering.

So, as we enter the new year, the challenge is: How are we supporting these businesses? How are we building a stronger and tighter community and coming together rather than creating more space and disconnect?

Now I’m curious: what’s your favorite small business here in Castro Valley?
Coach Kev helps people find calm, clarity, and confidence in their life while supporting small businesses. Contact him at kevinkoocoaching@gmail.com, or follow on IG and YouTube @kevinkoocoaching

Kevin Koo

Kevin Koo is a professional coach who specializes in personal, business, and leadership development. Contact him at kevinkoocoaching@gmail.com

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