We are extremely grateful to our Veterans, so we are highlighting local, veteran-owned businesses in the Sacramento area.
If you know anyone that is a veteran and fits this bill, let us know!
Our Bet on a Vet for April features Mike Blasczyck, CEO of Metro Elevator of Northern California. Mike joined the Army in the months after 9/11, and became a paratrooper, serving part of his stint in the Middle East. After leaving the military, he earned his MBA from Penn State got into the elevator business. Then, 2 years ago, some business associates in northern California recruited him to buy into Metro Elevator. They do elevator installation, service, repair and modernization throughout the Northern California region.
Our Bet on a Vet for February is Christy Hayes, who went from being an Air Force diesel mechanic to owner/proprietor of Woodland’s popular Kitchen 428 and Mojo’s Lounge!
Our Bet on a Vet for December features Jason and Nichole Mulford, who own and operate Victory Village, a veteran’s outreach center that started in Amador County and now has five locations. Jason was a Marine Corps vet and started Victory Village after mustering out with a broken back. Realizing how difficult it was to find help and services, he decided, with the help of Nichole, to become a resource for veterans in need of everything from job skill training to mental health assistance. Victory Village now as 4 locations in our region, and one in Reno. They’ve helped hundreds of veterans either stay on their feet or get back on them.
Our Bet on a Vet for November is Keith Wager, an active-duty reservist at Beale Air Force Base, where he is a flying crew chief for KC-135 refuelers! He also owns and operates Blind Tiger Cocktails & Private Events, an all-encompassing mobile catering company for whatever your event needs—music, food, cocktails. From birthday parties to full blown wedding receptions, they do it all!
Our Bet on a Vet for October is Patrick Smith, owner/operator of Fidelis K9 in Sacramento. He is also an 8-year Marine Corps veteran. In 2019, he opened his business to train dogs for both pet ownership and service animals for veterans dealing with PTSD. He currently has dozens of companion dogs for veterans throughout several states and says matching veterans to the right dog is one of the most rewarding aspects of his work.
Our Bet on a Vet for September are Rob and Lisa Larson, owners of CPR Time. They contract with the American Red Cross to conduct CPR/First Aid classes. Rob’s military service includes 20 years active duty in the Air Force as an Air Cargo Specialist. He also oversaw all Air Terminal Operations for the 60th Aerial Port Squadron based out of Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield. He retired and in 2016, he and his wife started their business driving all over Northern California teaching CPR/First Aid and re-certifying nurses, doctors, teachers, and day care providers.
Our Bet on a Vet for August is US Army veteran Gina Arrighini, who was a cook while she served. When she left the Army, she used her cooking skills to start Gina Marie’s Custom Desserts in Auburn, which does specialized dessert decorating to order (cakes, cookies, cupcakes, etc.). And she’s done pretty well: recently, Gina Marie’s was named one of Auburn’s “Best of the Best” small businesses for 2024.
Our Bet on a Vet for July are Sacramento Blue Star Moms’ Karla Sedgwick and Juli Traylor, who talk about their group’s ongoing “care package” efforts for our servicemen and women, including how people can get involved by either volunteering, donating, or both.
Our Bet on a Vet for June is Cameron Begbie, owner of Lava Dog Fire and Police Supply in Plymouth, CA. He is a former Navy Corpsman and former law enforcement officer. Cameron is active in a program called Victory Village, which helps combat veterans in rural counties cope with job skills, substance abuse issues, and PTSD, as well as “Veteran’s Court,” which helps veterans who have found themselves in legal trouble navigate the justice system.
Our Bet on a Vet for May is Krysta Kirk, owner of The Kirk’s Klubhouse. She opened her tattoo shop and alternative spa after serving in the US Army as an Explosives Ordnance Disposal Expert. A bad accident on the job left her unable to continue her service. She always loved drawing so, after being honorably discharged, she worked as a tattoo artist before opening her own shop. She also helped found the non-profit Brick by Brick Veterans, which helps veterans in our region struggling with PTSD and other issues.
Bet on a Vet highlights veteran owned businesses in the Sacramento area. Our Bet on a Vet for April is US Marine Corps Kevin Lutz, owner of Stoney’s Rockin’ Rodeo. His dream was to open a country music-oriented nightclub. Kevin’s experience as a cook in the Marines led him to bet on himself and follow his dream!
This month, we highlight US Army veteran Brendan Cory, owner, and operator of 707 Dump N Haul, a junk removal and handyman business. He started in 2021 after he and his wife had their first child. Brendan had a full-time job at an oil refinery but wanted more time to be able to help their newborn, so he bet on himself and started the business!
This month, Pat and Tom highlight Jon Rivera, better known to residents of El Dorado Hills as, “Barber Jon.” Jon talks to Pat and Tom about his time in the Marine Corps, and his improbable journey to starting his unique and beloved barber shop, World Famous Barber Jon’s.
This month, Pat and Tom highlight Archie Smith Jr., owner of Archie’s S&Q’s Smoked and BBQ Meats in Solano County. Archie is a US Army veteran who has also worked with the non-profit Disabled American Veterans and does outreach with veterans throughout northern California who face challenges associated with PTSD.
This month, Pat, Tom, and Cody highlight Iraqi war veteran Danny O’Neel and his non-profit veteran’s group Warfighter Overwatch. They give support and services to Sacramento-area veterans, first responders and their families through a variety of programs created to encourage camaraderie, resilience and connectedness.
This month, we learn about Chriswell Home Improvement, and the President/Co-founder is Army veteran Chris Mesunas. Chris served in the Middle East in the 1990s and returned to start this business in 2016. Chris takes immense pride in Chriswell Homes being a veteran-owned business, providing beautiful, long-lasting, and energy-efficient products to homeowners in the Greater Sacramento and surrounding areas.
This month, we highlight 3-year Army veteran Bryan Arline. He owns Radline Consulting, an IT and digital solutions company that works with a variety of businesses and is also a Certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise. Bryan and his company pride themselves on being “proactive leaders in the veteran community while creating a company where our nation’s heroes are valued and supported.”
This month, we meet Joshua Soto who served in the United States Marine Corps from 2005-2013. Today, Josh is the owner of a drone technology business called Aerios Operations. They deliver high-resolution aerial photos and maps to surveyors, construction businesses, and many other corporations. Josh is also a certified high-tech drone instructor teaching companies and private citizens how to fly and use drone technology.
This month, we learn about Navy veteran Sarah Darling and her husband Kevin’s Cal Tex Barbecue Rubs! Sarah Darling, a 5-year U. S. Navy veteran, started their business this year, inspired by the positive response to the smoked pork they cooked and donated to victims of the Mosquito Fire.
This week we learn about William Johnson, owner of Red’s Pizzeria & Taphouse in Rocklin. William used the leadership skills he learned in the military to start, and now run, his popular pizza place, which uses only locally sourced and seasonal ingredients and a unique “mother dough” that he affectionately refers to as “mom.”
This week, we are featuring Eric Tate, a US Army vet with six years of service, including time in the Middle East. He came back home and is running a home delivery diaper business called Tidy Diaper.