Planting seeds in San Luis Obispo: New venture fund looks for student entrepreneurs
TechnologyA tech hub takes the right mix of a great university, eager entrepreneurs and money and mentoring. For a long time, San Luis Obispo County has had plenty of the first two and not enough of the latter. That could change with the establishment of SLO Seed Ventures, a fund built by San Luis Obispo Read More →
Fielding Graduate University outgrows its mansion home
ColumnsThe decision to forge into the future or honor history can be a tough one, especially for a higher education institution. For Fielding Graduate University, it means the decision to stay in a historic Santa Barbara mansion — the university’s home for more than two decades — or to move to a larger, more modern Read More →
Has Amgen solved its conundrum?
ColumnsFor the past decade, the world’s biggest biotechnology company has faced what I have come to call the Amgen conundrum. The company’s revenue and profits keep rising, along with new ways of delivering its core drugs Epogen and Aranesp. But big one ingredient has been missing — a rising share price. After a spectacular rise Read More →
Editorial: Get thee to a polling place
OpinionThere’s a lot at stake in this year’s June 8 primary. Because gerrymandering is still the name of the game, primary winners in several legislative districts will have a virtual lock on the November election. Key primaries include the Democratic side in the 35th Assembly District, which covers parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, Read More →
San Luis Obispo entrepreneur returns to his roots
Small BusinessBuying his old company back last year was a business decision, but James Whitaker admits pride had something to do with it. Quickcondoms.com — as the name suggests, the company sells condoms online — was struggling. Whitaker started the business as a 19-year-old Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student and sold his half to his Read More →
Whole Foods thinks local as tri-county products land on shelves
Small BusinessWhole Foods Market has been in expansion mode for the better part of two decades. As it has opened stores in the Tri-Counties, entrepreneurs have worked to get their products on the stores’ shelves. Beth Bailey is a Santa Barbara mother of two who founded The Kiddo Co. The company makes all-natural, all-organic “squeezies,” Read More →