2014 Family Business & Closely Held Companies honorees announced
By Staff Report / Friday, February 28th, 2014 / Latest news, Small Business, Top Stories / Comments Off on 2014 Family Business & Closely Held Companies honorees announced

The Pacific Coast Business Times is pleased to announce our 2014 class of Family Business & Closely Held Companies winners. This annual special section celebrates businesses in the region that are owned or managed by multiple family members, are in the second or later generation of family ownership or that are owned and operated by a small group Read More →

Freezing out the competition: Australian frozen yogurt brand makes global push from Ventura
By Erika Martin / Friday, February 28th, 2014 / Small Business, Top Stories, Tri-County Economy, West Ventura County / Comments Off on Freezing out the competition: Australian frozen yogurt brand makes global push from Ventura

Australians Angus Murray and Michael Taylor have set up a California outpost for Foxy’s Frozen Yogurt in a bid to beat the Golden State at its own game.

Moving on up: Green storage business expands along South Coast
By Marlize van Romburgh / Friday, February 14th, 2014 / Green Coast, Real Estate, Small Business, South Coast, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on Moving on up: Green storage business expands along South Coast

Movegreen is growing at a rapid clip and plans to start driving its biodiesel-powered moving vans down the coast in an expansion spree. The company has built a business by providing environmentally friendly moving and storage service along the South Coast.

Budding trend: Region’s growers count on locavore movement
By Christine De La Cruz / Friday, February 7th, 2014 / Agribusiness, Features, Small Business / Comments Off on Budding trend: Region’s growers count on locavore movement

The $176 million tri-county cut-flower industry is hoping to woo Valentine’s Day shoppers, who are expected to spend $1.8 billion nationwide this year on blooms for their sweethearts.

Cloud farming : SLO firm brings sensor technology to the fields
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, February 7th, 2014 / Agribusiness, Small Business, Technology, Top Stories / Comments Off on Cloud farming : SLO firm brings sensor technology to the fields

The Tri-Counties may or may not see many rain clouds this year, but farmers around the region will be using cloud computing to manage their irrigation with San Luis Obispo-based Hortau.

A new slant on kayaking: Angle Oar aims to make rowing easier
By Stephen Nellis / Friday, January 31st, 2014 / Central Coast, Small Business, Top Stories / Comments Off on A new slant on kayaking: Angle Oar aims to make rowing easier

A San Luis Obispo company founded by a former tech marketing executive is angling to make it easier for seniors, kids and anyone with shoulder trouble to take to the water in a kayak.

The right remedy: Elemental Herbs went from kitchen startup to national distribution
By Erika Martin / Friday, January 24th, 2014 / Central Coast, Features, Small Business, Tri-County Economy / Comments Off on The right remedy: Elemental Herbs went from kitchen startup to national distribution

Belying its modest beginnings in the couple’s kitchen, Elemental Herbs now has distributors in 35 states and nearly 1,500 retail accounts.