Pay attention to the lipstick effect
During times of economic downturn or uncertainty, people tend to spend less on big-ticket items, while still buying small, affordable indulgences. The term “lipstick effect”...
Columns
Misdirected outrage
There is a ritual in San Diego households. Each month, the SDG&E bill arrives and the total registers sharply because San Diego carries the highest...
The two primes of Dale Dobson
Dale Dobson is among the greatest athletes of our time. Any surfer who ever saw him ride during his two primes: the first lasting over...
A Solana Beach institution: Tony’s Jacal celebrates 80 years
The Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce is proud to spotlight one of our most cherished members, Tony’s Jacal, as they celebrate an incredible 80 years...
Where Leucadia Cyclery eats around town
My love of bicycles started, like for most of us, as a youngster, but I never really grew out of it. I still start my...
Why ‘plumber near me’ isn’t enough anymore
When most small business owners think about showing up on Google, they picture one thing: “plumber near me”“roofing company San Diego”“HVAC repair near me” And...
Surfing’s regress
I was locked into the I-5 parking lot this morning, observing fine new cars operated by frustrated old drivers. The freeway is again under construction,...
Does your book have business cards?
After 45 years in the marketing business, I switched careers to helping people write books. This combination of perspectives showed me most authors don’t know...
Seek these hidden treasures while you can
Miracles Café, Longboard Grotto and Sunshine Gardens Nursery are long gone, nearly forgotten dreams. Now, so is Captain Keno’s. On the endangered list in our...
The dark side of the moon: Celebrating splashes of color
Last week, I took a late afternoon walk on Ponto Beach in Carlsbad. My hope was to possibly see the Artemis ll landing in San...
Building connections that drive growth
At a time when local economies are evolving quickly, the Escondido Chamber of Commerce is focused on something simple but powerful: helping businesses connect, grow,...
La Costa’s Nomada a bold new chapter for GRG; Encinitas’ Pastaria Vivi opens
Recently opened in La Costa, Nómada marks an exciting new chapter for the San Diego-based Grand Restaurant Group (GRG). The concept is led by newly...
This gift keeps on giving
This column started in 2006 when my bride had the idea of me providing free marketing advice. “Like free samples at Costco in hopes you’ll...
Staycation and Padres game weekend at Bahia Resort Hotel
I have to admit I am guilty of opting out of weekend activities that have me leaving the Leucadia bubble via car on a regular...
The Don of Encinitas
“Cliche as it sounds, we will never see the likes of Don Hansen and his kind again, unfortunately.” — EOS Editor, Matt Warshaw The...