“Succession planning has become more difficult for family-owned businesses as generations break from the family operation to forge their own paths.” 

It’s likely we’ve all either worked for or even owned a family business — there are nearly 1.4 million of them, according to an advocacy group, and collectively they employ 7 million people. 

Women comprise nearly 50 percent of the American workforce, but they make up barely a quarter of all senior executives at large U.S. public companies — and only around 5 percent of Standard & Poor’s 500 companies have female CEOs.

The Fair Labor Standards Act has strict rules regarding paying nonexempt employees, and California is even stricter; one of the key components is that employees must be paid for every hour they work

Next year, voters will be asked to amend Prop. 13 through a ballot measure that will upset more than 40 years of that steadiness and a “no surprises” business environment. It’s a tax hit businesses can’t afford, especially in an economy with flat consumer spending and trade tariffs.

California continues to surf a huge economic wave with year-after-year tourism growth, generating more than $140 billion for the state last year and supporting the livelihoods of millions of residents. But as any big wave surfer knows, the thrill of success also comes with perils, and in the case of tourism, the situation can get gnarly fast. 

A good leader is someone whose people are productive, innovative and excited to be part of the team. How does an employee — particularly one new to a leadership role — develop the skills to create and manage such a team?

I consider myself a typical entrepreneur. Authentically growing an audience for my business consultancy — which develops custom business systems solutions — and pivoting when something doesn’t work out and serving clients day-to-day isn’t always easy, but it is rewarding. 

Late in October 1997, Comstock’s hosted a roundtable discussion on the future of McClellan Air Force Base, which was slated to be closed July 13, 2001. At that time, the entire business community was struggling with what to do about the upcoming base closure and its anticipated negative economic impact. There were many conversations, of course, but few ideas.

As Comstock’s magazine celebrates 30 years of publishing, we asked some members of our Editorial Advisory Board to share perspectives on their industries.