Browsing Tag

small business

Goble Properties, Junkyard Management, Leadership, Random Thoughts,

Small Business

Hey, do you know anyone who owns a small business? Odds are you do. So you probably know how hard the past year plus has been for all small businesses.

If the person you know is a person of faith, you might forward this article to them: Buy Local (For God’s Sake): Why the Church Should Partner With Small Business.

Also, if you know anyone in church ministry, you might share that same article.

One of the reasons I volunteer for the De Pree Center and admire groups like Faith Driven Entrepreneur (among others) is because they see how our …

Family, Goble Properties,

Seventy five years ago a young couple, soon to be a young family, launched a family business. Over the decades it took many forms, from sandwich shops to coin operated car washes to real estate development. Plus, of course, what we’d all call junkyards.

Today we call that small family business Goble Properties. And though that name only came into being about 40-years ago, it represents the ambitions of 75-years of hard work and investment. I run the company bearing that name today, but it has definitely been a family effort. Over the years my siblings, nieces, nephews, grandpa, aunts, …

Goble Properties,

The Power of Small Business

The young man, in his early 30’s, peppered me with questions about growing his small business. He asked good questions, which was encouraging since few people ask the right ones. Eventually the conversation shifted from growing the business to the purpose of business. And this is where it really becomes interesting.

“You know,” I said casually, “profit is like breathing. You do it to stay alive. But it’s not why you live.”

He stared at me, thoughtful, and took a deep exaggerated breath that made us both laugh.

This conversation happened a few weeks ago at the Christian Economic Forum…

Goble Properties,

Every Business Owner Has a Story

Every business owner has a story. This came to light recently when Suana Hamulic sent me an email about her life. A few years ago Suana and her husband Regis leased retail space in the Hopyard Village Shopping Center, just below my office in Pleasanton, and opened a pizza shop.

Suana was born in Bosnia. Because of the horrific war, and for her own safety, she was forced to leave her home, friends, and family at age 17. She was alone with no connections. Over the next three years she managed to cross the borders of Slovenia, Austria, and eventually …

Goble Properties,

Goble Properties

My son Jedd, who usually focuses his time on creating films, recently rebuilt the website for Goble Properties. Take a look and let me know what you think. It’s not quite done yet — there is still some tweaking to do. But it’s basically complete. I would love your feedback!

It occurred to me that I’ve not said much about Goble Properties on this blog. The company has been my primary vocation all of my adult life, and it is the engine that powers our charitable endeavors. Since Goble Properties has its roots in the junkyard it seems …