Daily Business Report-Nov. 28, 2014
Balboa Park will be all decked out for the 36th annual December Nights Dec. 5-6.
December Nights
One Big Holiday Festival
Balboa Park December Nights, the nation’s premier holiday festival, will take place for the 36th consecutive year on Friday, Dec. 5, from 3 to 11 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6, from noon to 11 p.m.
As always, the event brings families and friends together to spread holiday joy, learn more about the cultural value of Balboa Park and kick-off the “most wonderful time of the year.”
Participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5-9 p.m. both evenings and more than 350,000 visitors are expected to experience the joy of San Diego’s largest free community festival. Those who attend will participate in a truly multicultural experience, enjoying food, music and entertainment from around the world.
Revelers can watch top-notch musical and dance performances, enjoy delicious and diverse food choices and help spread a heavy dose of holiday cheer.
Some of the more well-known traditions include food from around the globe at the International Christmas Festival at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages; the annual Santa Lucia Procession at the Plaza de California; unique gift shopping at the museum stores and with the artisans of Spanish Village; and musical and dance presentations from the San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, Del Cerro Baptist’s Christmas Story Tree, and more.
USD Student Perfects Fabric Watch Design
A University of San Diego student who has already launched one watch company is raising funds on Kickstarter for a second.
Nathan Resnick’s new Azula brand watches are made with a fabric background, with each timepiece unique because of different cuts of the fabric.
“Most watch faces are printed with ink. After looking for ways to stand out, I came up with the idea to put fabric on a watch face,” Resnick said.
“People said it couldn’t be done — they said the fabric was too thick and impossible to stick. After countless attempts playing with different fabrics and adhesive materials, we’ve found the perfect formula.”
The new company plans to give back to children in need across the world.
Resnick’s other company is Yes Man Watches, which is already in production and selling online.
— Times of San Diego
Double Pay Proposed for California
Workers on Major Holidays
Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), plans to introduce legislation to require companies to pay double time to employees who have to work on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Gonzalez said retailers have increasingly encroached on the Thanksgiving holiday with their “Black Friday” promotions, forcing workers to give up family time in order to keep their jobs.
“Thanksgiving and Christmas have traditionally been celebrated every year as times that all of us can connect with our families and reflect on the blessings in our lives, but each year it seems like we lose more and more of these family holidays to the demands of work,” Gonzalez said at a news conference Wednesday outside a Wal-Mart store in Murphy Canyon.
“Many workers already enjoy premium pay for making this sacrifice and many do because it is a matter of public health and safety,” she added.
Gonzalez said the expansion of work demands on employees in the retail and restaurant sectors “is not being accompanied automatically with a holiday pay premium, and so it’s imperative for employees who are losing out on their Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to boost their boss’s profits are paid fairly for that sacrifice.”
Walmart employee, Diana McCain welcomed the news, “Receiving double pay for working on Thanksgiving would be the fair thing to do for everyone who sacrifices their holiday to be here on the job for shoppers,” she said.
Gonzalez said she would introduce the bill before the end of the year.
— City News Service
Phil Blair: All’s Fair at a Job Fair
Job fairs are obvious opportunities for career networking, but they require thought and preparation, according to the author of a new book for those starting out or starting over in a career.
“Job fairs occur all the time, but you may have to go looking for them,” says Phil Blair, co-owner of Manpower San Diego. “Search the Internet, newspapers, college career centers and employment agencies for announcements of upcoming fairs. Select those that feature companies and careers that interest you. You will also have an opportunity to talk to large companies that are from out of town. Relocation is always the 800-pound gorilla in the room, but may need be an option, even internationally.”
Blair is the author of “Job Won! 500,000 Hires and Counting (Author House, 2013). For more than three decades he has co-owned Manpower San Diego, the largest Manpower franchise in the U.S. His firm is San Diego’s fourth largest for-profit employer, providing approximately 3,500 jobs daily.
“A job fair isn’t a job interview, but it’s close,” says Blair. “You must go prepared. Begin by reviewing your career strengths as described in your resume and identified in your earlier self-assessment. Practice introducing yourself and delivering your elevator speech. Be prepared to confidently discuss your career achievements, not your job duties, with potential employers.”
A couple of other tips from Blair:
• Dress as you would for a real job interview. Bring numerous copies of your resume. If you do well, you’ll hand out a lot of them.
• Strong, succinct cover letters make a positive impression. Few job fair attendees take the time and effort to write and distribute these letters, so doing so will help set you apart from the masses.
Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday
Saturday is Small Business Saturday, a day and night to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities.
The Small Business Administration is also helping to spearhead an effort this year to extend the impact by promoting Small Business Saturday Night and encouraging consumers to patronize their local small business restaurants and favorite watering holes.
The San Diego District Office of the SBA works with the Business Improvement Districts throughout San Diego County and offers specialized training for businesses in these districts who want to improve their operations, sales and marketing to increase profits.
Personnel Moves
Julie Westerman Elevated to Partner
Julie Westerman, associate attorney at Moore, Schulman & Moore for the past five years, has been elevated to partner.
Westerman earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in both political science and sociology at the University of California, San Diego and a law degree from California Western School of Law in 2009.
While at law school, Westerman was involved with the Women’s Law Caucus and the Environmental Law Society.
She is a member of the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association, the San Diego County Bar Association and the Lawyers Club of San Diego.
Timothy Mutrie Joins Jacob Tyler
Timothy Mutrie has joined the brand communications firm Jacob Tyler as chief strategy officer. Mutrie, a 20-year industry veteran who has managed campaigns for high-profile brands including Hard Rock and Dunkin’ Donuts, will direct the agency’s strategy and advertising efforts.
Prior to joining Jacob Tyler, Mutrie served as the vice president of marketing for Flagship Cruises & Events in San Diego. Mutrie has also held executive positions with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Dunkin’ Donuts/Kainos Partners and Kroger Supermarkets. He has served as creative director for his own Boston-based firm, Mutrie Marketing & Advertising.
