bizSanDiego the business of san diego county

Interview: Banking on a Niche

Vibra Bank is positioning itself as the first to cater to Hispanics in nearly 30 years

Read It & Reap: Pain Killer Marketing

HENRY DEVRIES KNOWS marketing—almost as well as he knows his own reflection—and the director of communications at UC San Diego’s Extended Studies and Public Programs wants to pass some of his knowledge on to you.

3 Questions: 3 Questions with Ralph Rubio, Founder Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill

Money Matters: Survivors

Two local companies fall hard and live to tell about it

Secret Sauce: Recession Remedies

RECESSION? WHAT RECESSION? At Laura Massoni Travel in Little Italy, the owners are preparing for down times by taking out extra lines of credit. Not to cushion their own business, but to possibly buy other struggling companies.

Global Reach: The Red Carpet

To attract American investors, business leaders in China are rolling out the red carpet. But is it paying off?

Real Estate: Heart and Courage and Brains

With some knowledge, hard work and risk, investing in real estate can still pay off

bizDestinations: Business as Usual?

Despite continuing talk of recession, businesses are still spending big money on meetings, retreats and events

Live Well: The Organic Lifestyle Change

DREAM Wellness and Optimal Nutrition Inc. want to profit on improving your eating habits. But rumor has it that you’ll profit, too. The idea of DREAM Wellness began in 1992 when founders Dr. Brian Stenzler and Dr. Gregg Baron were attending undergraduate college in upstate New York.

Biz Wisdom: Michael Robinson, President & CEO, San Diego North Chamber of Commerce

While I was with the Los Angeles Chamber I developed a program called Beverly Hills Global. The program was dedicated to giving small- and medium-sized businesses the tools, resources and information they needed to become ready to export to international markets.

Dialogue: Growth Assessments

You’re standing on the threshold. It’s time to make a decision—and make it fast. Do you continue to grow your company by hiring more employees, opening more locations and expanding your customer base, or do you keep your operation smaller and simpler? What goes into the decision, and how do you know when it’s OK to be content with the size and scope of your company?

Marketing Dept: Prepare for the Multitaskers

Grabbing consumers’ attention is getting tougher in the changing marketing landscape

After Hours: Happy Hour Hot Spots

Whether the goal is to woo clients, bond with coworkers, dodge traffic or simply wind down with some booze after a long day at work, happy hours are engrained in our culture.

Must Do: MUST DO April

Baseball is back! Make sure to be at PETCO Park for all the action in 2008 as the San Diego Padres battle for the National League West Division title.

Good Eats: ‘Oui,Oui!’

Kensington’s Bleu Boheme offers traditional French dishes with contemporary flair