Local Star Takes Fast Food to a New Level in Watsonville

The fast food giant is alive and well in Watsonville, thanks to the efforts of Tila Guerrero, franchisee owner of two McDonald’s locations in town.  “We’re very pleased with our growth and sustained sales increases”, said Guerrero during a recent interview, “Watsonville is a wonderful community to work in and I am grateful to be able to give back.”

Tila Guerrero began her career with McDonald’s in 1990 after a lengthy tenure with Bank of America.  Since switching over she hasn’t looked back and is now an active member of the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce who has also been involved in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s “Adopt a School Program.”  Through her efforts, Ms. Guerrero – as well as her son Martin, a McDonald’s owner/operator – has become glowing example of business success in the community, using ownership of two local McDonald’s franchises as a launch pad to help community members improve their own careers.

In Santa Cruz County, positions range from entry-level crew paying from $8 to $12 per hour, to part-time, temporary, full-time and management.  McDonald’s has been rated one of the best companies for hourly workers by “Working Moms.” Reporting a “phenomenal” turnout of many qualified applicants, Ms. Guerrero recently participated in the McDonald’s campaign to add 50,000 jobs.  As a direct result 32 more full and part-time jobs went to community members.

McDonald’s is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 32,000 local restaurants serving more than 64 million people in 117 countries each day. More than 80% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local men and women who are dedicated to their communities…just like Tila Guerrero.

Watsonville McDonalds Locations:

Boating Company Finds Success in Watsonville

West Marine Inc., headquartered in Watsonville, California, with beautiful offices overlooking the Watsonville wetlands and with a peek at the Pacific, is internationally known for all things related to boating.  Geoff Eisenberg, CEO is the captain of the ship and has found enormous success here in Watsonville.  “Watsonville is a great place to be based.  The climate here is hard to beat and we are so close to the ocean, plus it’s a business friendly environment while also being part of a diverse community.” says Eisenberg.  “We love our home on the Monterey Bay.”

As of January 2, 2010, West Marine offered its products through 327 company-operated stores in 38 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The company also sells its products through its call center channel and on the Internet.

You can learn more about West Marine and the products they offer here, you can also learn about Port Supply here.

Ricardo Rocha:

Computer Expert/Community Asset

Ricardo Rocha, owner of RV’s Computers,  learned computer basics in his home state of Michoacán, Mexico but it wasn’t until he came to California in 1991 that he really delved into Computer Science. He began with a local computer firm as a field technician and continued his education at Cabrillo College. After earning his degree with honors in Micro Computer Management he began his own business starting with enough clients to support a very small office in downtown Watsonville.

Along with the IT Services he offered, Ricardo added the visibility of a Storefront and the much needed computer retail for the local community. This presence gave him the advantage he needed. Besides moving to a larger location, Ricardo has selected very specialized, quality-proven IT professionals for his staff. Altogether they have over 47 years combined IT expertise and experience!!

Ricardo participated in the El Pájaro CDC Small Business Incubator program and is now an active member of the Watsonville Rotary, the Pájaro Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Monterey Peninsula Alternative Board (TAB), and the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce serving on their Technology Committee. He is also a Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified Small Business Specialist, Novel Certified Network Administrator and holds a Competent Communicator certificate from Toast Masters.

Ricardo enjoys spending his personal time with his wife Maria and their two daughters Giselle and Sofia. Together they enjoy getting away on road trips and camping. Ricardo can also be found outside running or landscaping, just for fun!

A shining example a creative business model that works in California’s Central Coast

You might know Annieglass. You might even own a piece of her art works. But did you know that this successful woman-owned business is right here in Watsonville?

Annie Morhauser fell in love with the beauty of glass when she first saw it being blown on the beach over 30 years ago. She graduated from the California College of the Arts with training in a range of glass techniques, but it was developing her own “slumping” process back in the ‘80s that marked the beginning of Annieglass.

Annieglass’s original tour de force was a piece called “Roman Antique,” a plate of thick glass with a widely painted rim of pure gold, a spoof of traditional fine china. She took it to a trade show in 1983 and astounded the country’s leading retailers with this entirely new look in dinnerware—today, “Roman Antique” is an oft-imitated industry icon.

In 2008, Annieglass celebrated its 25th anniversary as one of the industry’s leaders in luxury-handmade, glass table art.  The Annieglass studio in Watsonville, California, which was originally 400 square feet, is now a manufacturing facility of more than 15,000 square feet employing thirty full time employees and resident artists in training, who handcraft more than 80,000 plates, bowls, serving dishes and decorative accessories annually.