Big firms check in to Santa Barbara hotel boom
A Philadelphia company’s $41.7 million purchase of Hotel Oceana in Santa Barbara signals that large out-of-town investors are betting on a major boom in South Coast tourism.
Feeling lucky? How small businesses can navigate Google’s new algorithm
With a recent change to its search algorithms, Google has made it much harder for a plumber in Arroyo Grande to show up when a user searches for “San Luis Obispo plumber,” even though that business may have served the greater San Luis Obispo area for decades.
Angling for change: Bren School startup serves up new model for sustainable seafood
A team of UCSB graduate students has created an online marketplace where restaurants and fishermen can connect directly to buy sustainable, traceable seafood.
Sonos discloses $535M in revenue
In a rare financial disclosure, Santa Barbara audio firm Sonos has disclosed that its 2013 revenue was $535 million and that total sales doubled during the past year.
Heritage Oaks names new CFO
Lonny Robinson has been named chief financial officer at Paso Robles-based Heritage Oaks Bancorp. Robinson, previously with Banc of California, will join Heritage Oaks as CFO and executive vice president on March 19.
Santa Maria chamber CEO Bob Hatch to retire
Bob Hatch is retiring after 20 years as president and CEO of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, the largest business group in North Santa Barbara County.
