Let’s Hear it for Northern California Dads!

With Father’s Day right around the corner, we’re proud to celebrate the hardworking dads of Northern California – the men who lead their families with strength, integrity, humor and heart. From coaching their kids’ teams and building businesses to teaching life lessons and supporting their communities, local dads make a lasting difference every single day. Here’s to the fathers who show up, work hard and make family their greatest priority.

Lauer Electric  – Michael Lauer

In Business since 2021

As a father and husband, I love owning my own business. Because I work in town, I have more time with my family than if I commuted a long distance to work; which I did for many years. I make it a point to keep weekends open so I can spend quality time with my family. Integrity, building community and treating people right are integral to my business philosophy. I strive to do good, honest work and provide the best service possible to each customer. My motto is “Do it right the first time or don’t do it at all.” I believe as a business owner and an employer that part of providing excellent customer service is treating my employees well. I want to be the kind of boss I wish I had before I became a business owner; one who cares about his employees. But the most rewarding part of my business is helping people. I love the challenge of solving customers’ electrical issues and putting their minds at ease.530-918-8158. Lic.#1082700

2405 S. Mount Shasta Blvd. Ste. 3, Mount Shasta, CA

LauerElectric.net

Explore California Outdoors – Mark Reiser

In Business Since 2001

We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful and biologically diverse areas in the US. From the Cascade mountains to the Redwood Coast, Northern California’s unique geography and climate create a majestic landscape which supports a high diversity of geographic and ecological environments. I started Explore California Outdoors to encourage and provide the opportunity for people, youth especially, to spend more time recreating outdoors in this beautiful region. Through guiding these outdoor adventures, I hope to encourage stewardship of natural areas to preserve them for future generations. I relish the opportunity afforded by running my own business to build a schedule around my family and to include my children in the business process as consultants and workers, thus giving them responsibility and work experience. Although balancing workloads with family life can be tricky, I manage it by developing efficient systems and by not taking on more than I can chew at any one time. Years ago, early on in my entrepreneurial career, one of my clients pulled me aside and reminded me to prioritize the things that matter the most and the rest will fall into place.

530-521-1883

email: eco@exploreCAoutdoors.com

exploreCAoutdoors.com

Beyond Golf Chico – Matt Carton

In Business Since 2025

After 10 years as an engineer in the aerospace industry and growing up watching my dad impact so many lives as a teacher and a coach, I was inspired to be a part of a business within the community aimed at changing young people’s lives. I created Beyond Golf to bring the community a fun, family-friendly space with truly affordable golf opportunities. At the heart of our mission is Junior Golf outreach, which goes far beyond the game itself – golf is the hook, but education is the goal. We are proud to partner with Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD) and the Butte County Youth Sports and Education Foundation. These partnerships help us stay true to our mission: keeping youth at the center of everything we do and ensuring accessibility for all. I love watching people use what we have created. A lot of people and companies in the area chipped in to help build a hard little course, where everyone from scratch golfers to very beginners can have fun. That dynamic, plus food, allows families to hang out and enjoy the space, creating a really fun culture. It is a true family business and we are all enjoying it. If something is worth doing, it is worth doing well.

530-715-2238

3400 Esplanade, Chico

BeyondGolfChico.com

Bricks & Minifigs Redding – Thomas Harpham

In Business Since 2024

I was inspired to start Bricks & Minifigs by LEGO® lovers in the North State. There was nothing like Bricks & Minifigs north of Chico before I opened my store in February 2024. I wanted to bring something unique to the area that would build community through people’s passion for LEGO. I love seeing the joy and excitement customers experience when they shop at the store. We may sell LEGO, but our business is people. As a busy entrepreneur, maintaining work/life balance is essential.  I have an amazing team that I can trust to run my business to my standards when I am not there, giving me the flexibility to spend quality time with my family. I invite the community to come see all that Bricks & Minifigs Redding has to offer!  LEGO enthusiasts can buy, sell and trade their used LEGO, or dive into our vast collection of new, used, retired and unique LEGO sets, minifigures and accessories. Whether you’re looking to expand your collection or trade in your old favorites,

Bricks & Minifigs is your one-stop shop for all things LEGO.

530-255-8112

60 Hartnell Avenue, Redding

bricksandminifigs.com/redding-ca

Northern Star Mills – David Jespersen

Owned Business Since 2024

Some businesses you start. Others you’re trusted to carry forward. Northern Star Mills has been a cornerstone of this community since 1898. I purchased Northern Star Mills in 2024 from John Growdon, whose family had run it since 1928. I have learned that balancing family with running a business is easier when you merge the two. My wife Delphine handles advertising and keeps us connected to the community. Our six-year-old Aili works the register like she owns the place. Our two-month-old gets carried around by whoever’s closest; me, my wife or one of our staff, who are really just family at this point. Northern Star Mills has been a family business for nearly a century. Turns out, we fit right in. I love owning a legacy business. Every day, someone walks through that door and tells me about coming here as a kid. Seeing the baby chicks, the smell of the place, what it meant to their family. I’m now the person responsible for being part of their kids’ memories. That’s not something you take lightly, and honestly, it’s not something you can put a price on. When someone hands you 126 years of history and says, “You’re the right person for this,” don’t overthink it. Honor what came before you, take care of the people around you and the rest will follow. I think about that every time I unlock those doors.

530-342-7661

510 Esplanade, Chico

NorthernStarMills.com

N Zone Sports – Christopher Nenseleit

In Business Since 2023

We realized that there could and should be more youth sport programs available in Redding. My goal in starting N Zone was to make our kids better on and off the field and leverage sports programs to provide space for more community in Redding. It is so rewarding to design and shape our programs in a way that makes a difference for our little athletes and their families. Our goal is to transform children’s lives, fostering teamwork, discipline and leadership and to create a healthy community for families in and around Redding through team sports. We offer youth sports leagues, camps, and clinics for boys and girls in and around Redding. My family means everything to me and as an entrepreneur, I can plan my hours to fit my family’s schedule. I put in extra hours early in the morning, if necessary, so I can be more available to my family during normal family hours. My business philosophy, which I learned from other successful entrepreneurs and which has stood me in good stead, is ‘The customer is KING’. As a business owner, I can only be happy when the customer is happy.

530-691-1401

nzonesports.com/redding