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Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center

December 13, 2016 by Seb Frey

Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center

The Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center is located on the campus of Cabrillo College. Nationwide, nearly every county in the United States has a Small Business Development Center, as they are a program of the Federal government’s Small Business Administration (SBA). Their goal is to provide high quality management and technical assistance for Santa Cruz small businesses – new or existing.

They offer confidential, no-cost counseling, seminars, and classes. On-going seminars include topics such as “Writing your Best Business Plan”, “Solving the Social Media Puzzle”, and “Record Keeping for Small Business”. Periodically, they also hold special events, such as a Federal and State basic payroll tax seminars.

Their counselors will assist prospective business owners with developing a business plan, preparing financial projections, a marketing plan, and help getting financing for your start up – including taking you through the SBA loan process. In addition, they provide book keeping assistance, Internet training, operations review, procurement assistance, strategic planning, business “tune-ups”, and much more.

Many local small businesses have received a leg up thanks to the Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center: Hydra-Point Nursery in Watsonville, Mission Hill Creamery in Santa Cruz, Zizzo’s Coffeehouse and Wine Bar in Capitola, New Bohemian Brewing Company in Live Oak, the Hindquarter Bar and Grille in Santa Cruz, and many more.

If you’re thinking of starting a small business, or need help sustaining or growing the business you already have, check out the Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center! They are generally open during normal business hours, 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday. They can be a little hard to find, so please read the directions on their web site.

Thrive Natural Medicine

November 3, 2016 by Seb Frey

A lot of people – especially people in Aptos and the wider Santa Cruz area – are coming to realize that the current American medical system with its heavy emphasis on pharmaceutical solutions to common ailments is often not the best way to lead a genuinely healthy life. There’s a lot more to being healthy than just not being sick, and that’s what Thrive Natural Medicine is all about: working with their patients to actually thrive in life, instead of simply dealing with an ailment via prescription. For people like that, we’re lucking in Aptos to have Thrive Natural Medicine.

Thrive Natural Medicine is a medical center that provides the best in naturopathic and holistic health care to all kinds of people. They have a wide gamut of professionals working there, including four medical doctors. The staff specialize in naturopathic medicine, nutrition, B12 shots, nutritional IV therapy, rolfing (R), acupuncture, holistic skin care, light therapy, cold laser and physical therapy, many mind/body therapies, and a variety of options for bodywork.

They’re a popular spot for discounted B12 injections – come check out their walk-in clinic on B12 Fridays, with $15 B12 shots between 3 and 6 PM.

All of the practitioners at Thrive offer a complimentary 15 minute consultation prior to the new patient intake and treatment – so drop on by during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM to check them out, get a free consultation, and be on your way to optimum health.

Thrive Natural Medicine Video

Adora Deva, Transformational Coach at Thrive

Thrive Natural Medicine Photo Gallery

Thrive Natural Medicine

Seascape Village Fitness

May 25, 2016 by Seb Frey

Seascape Village Fitness is a family-owned and operated business located in the Seascape Village Shopping Center. This is not your typical gym or health club; rather, they are dedicated towards helping you identify and pursue your own personal path to a sustainable fitness regimen. They emphasize a team approach to help motivate you to regain and maintain an active and productive lifestyle. They were honored in 2014 to receive the Good Times Magazine award for being the best fitness club in Aptos.

They offer a range of training plans, including personal one-on-one fitness training, semi-private personal training, weekly group team training, nutrition and weight loss support program, massage therapy, physical therapy, and much more! These folks are here to help you with the personal support you will need to reach your fitness goals; you won’t be left to wonder what you should be doing to get there.

The business is run by Jim and Kathy Tucker, along with their daughter Erin and a team of dedicated health and fitness professionals. If you’re looking for a way to get healthy and fit – and stay that way – stop on by and check them out. They do offer a trial membership so you can get an idea of what they have to offer without a long-term commitment.

Seascape Village Fitness

Seascape Village Fitness Instagram Feed

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Golden Chiropractic – Aptos

May 13, 2016 by Seb Frey

Golden Chiropractic in Aptos is more than just a chiropractic office – it’s the place in town to go for treatment for a hurting body. Aptos is very much a lifestyle town, and these folks will help keep you in tip top shape to keep you surfing, hiking, biking, and wine tasting with the best of them. You will find the following services available:

Chiropractic Care
Corrective Exercises
Lifestyle Advice
Massage Therapy
Rock Tape
Acupuncture
Chinese Herbal Medicine

Dr. Goldi also specializes in the Graston Technique, which uses specially-designed stainless steel instruments, along with appropriate therapeutic exercise, to specifically detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation.

Not only do they offer a wide range of expert and cutting-edge bodywork services, they do it all with good humor and aplomb! Learn more about Golden Chiropractic’s services, who they serve, and how they deal with insurance by watching the video below.

Golden Chiropractic – Meet Goldi and Melissa

See also:

Golden Chiropractic Web Site, Golden Chiropractic Facebook Page

Golden Chiropractic Instagram Feed

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Synergy Dance Fitness and Tai Chi

March 20, 2016 by Seb Frey

Synergy Dance Fitness and Tai Chi is a dance studio and fitness center in Aptos offering a number of dance, movement, and Tai Chi classes for all kinds of students and experience levels. The studio features a high quality, surround-sound stereo system and high-tech disco light package. The classes which are offered include:

Tai Chi
Cardio Dance
Beginning/Intermediate Ballet
Interval Circuit
Cardio Kickboxing
Intermediate Belly Dance
Beginning Jazz for Adults
Zumba Fitness
Kids Dance Classes
West Coast Swing
Jazz Workout
Wedding Dance Lessons for Couples and Groups

Synergy Dance Fitness and Tai Chi instructors are available for private dance lessons, and the entire studio space is available for rent for your own dance parties! They also host special events such as dance and magic shows for kids of all ages. They have a special, limited time offer – 10 classes for $100 where you can take any class you want, so mix and match!

See also:

Dance Synergy Web Site, Dance Synergy Facebook Page

Synergy Dance Fitness and Tai Chi Instagram Feed

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Aptos Public Library

July 30, 2014 by Seb Frey

The Aptos Public Library is an awesome community resource for the people of Aptos. Any day of the week, you’re likely to find a surprisingly large number of cars in the parking lot and people inside, reading books, newspapers, magazines, or surfing the Internet. The Library does provide free WiFi and electricity to plug in your laptop, or you can use one of their computers to surf the Interwebs.

They also have a great children’s room, with a large selection of books in both English and Spanish. They have a friendly, helpful staff and the place is warm, safe, and inviting. If the Aptos branch doesn’t have a book you’re looking for, they can request it from another branch and if it’s in the catalog, it’ll be brought over. There’s also a public meeting room which can be used by community organizations and non-profits as needed. Also, there’s a Metro bus stop right out in front, so it’s easy to access by those without a car.

The Aptos Public Library is considered by many to be one of best libraries in the Santa Cruz Public Library system, and we consider it an Aptos Gem.

Tranquille Spa, Hair, and Makeup Boutique

May 29, 2014 by Seb Frey

Tranquille Spa, Hair, and Makeup Boutique in Aptos is in the Rancho del Mar shopping center, right next door to the Aptos Cinema. They offer many services of a traditional salon such as hair and makeup, but also offer services provided by spas – like facials and massage. They specialize in wedding and special event hair and makeup, with on-location options available as well for those who need or prefer it.

They also offer a wide range of beauty and hair care products, including Epicuren, Eufora, Glo Minerals, Jan Marini, MorrocanOil, Nicolas, Pureology and Cellex-C products. In addition, they offer jewelry made by local Santa Cruz county artists. Spa packages are available as well, with a variety of treatments to choose from.

Tip: be sure to book an appointment – while walk-ins a welcome, Tranquille is a busy place and you’ll do best to book ahead of time.