Meet your local companies and hear what they have to say about their business, their clients, and their community.

Cat Fluss Photography

Cat Fluss, Owner/Photographer

1. What does your company do?
Portraits, events, and fashion.

2. What is most important to your clients?
A product that captures emotion.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
I take the time to get to know my clients prior to any project. I start with an in home/office meeting so I have a full understanding of their personalities and needs to make sure we are a good fit.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Being able to create beautiful images that people will cherish for a lifetime, and with portraits the love of showing someone how beautiful they truly are.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
From what I have seen so far the incredibile amount of support amongst the local business owners toward one another.

6. What charity do you support and why?
Youth Homes, Dress for Success and Always Dream Foundation. I support youth homes because I believe strongly in quality care and support for foster children so they can have happy, successful lives.

Blow Dry Bar

Alyson Walsh & Leida Ebrahimi, Owners

1. What does your company do?
Our speciality is blowouts, but we also offer makeup, updos, hair treatments, and men's scalp massages. We carry top-of-the-line products including Moroccan Oil and L'Oreal Professional.

2. What is most important to your clients?
To get the best blowout in town while experiencing outstanding customer service from our staff.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
Competitive pricing, ability to walk-in without an appointment, incredible styling, and a great staff, confident and fully capable of providing the best blowouts around.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
We believe that we should focus on what we know and do best - blowouts. Updos and makeup are part of that package - all are designed to make you feel and look your best, even on a moment's notice.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
The wonderful people, the small town yet metropolitan feel of our city, and the arts and entertainment that our city provides.

6. What charity do you support and why?
The Walnut Creek School District. We are local girls and both attended Walnut Creek schools throughout our childhood.

Changes Salon & Day Spa

Bonnie Waters, CEO

1. What does your company do?
We offer salon and spa services in a comfortable environment at value added pricing.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Our clients love that they can count on friendly, high quality, results-oriented service at each visit. They enjoy our selection of superior products to maintain their service between visits.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
Changes stands out from the rest because of our commitment to Constant And Never-ending Improvement "CANI".

4. What makes your work meaningful?
I find a deep sense of satisfaction in being of service to others. Helping people look and feel their best is very rewarding. Community service and growing Changes are truly a labor of love.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
First and foremost it's the people. I also love the beauty of our area, as well as the weather.

6. What charity do you support and why?
The Cancer Support Community holds a special place in my heart. We do a number of fundraisers to support them. In addition, Changes supports a multitude of worthy causes in our community.

Tribez Salon

Donna Bruner
Owner

1. What does your company do?
Tribez is a full-service hair salon. Our second location in Blackhawk Plaza features a walk-in blow dry and brow bar. We carry the top lines of luxury haircare and skincare products.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Our clients value the professional service they receive from our staff and the personal care in the overall client experience. They love the warm and friendly atmosphere and the jewelry at the salon.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
We are one of the few salons that offers an advanced educational program taught by our Creative Director. The commitment by our staff to provide the best client experience is unsurpassed.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Everyday I'm rewarded by the fact that I know I've built a great place for so many people to work and flourish. Tribez provides me with a great sense of accomplishment and pride. Love my staff!

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
We're so centrally located with easy access to the ocean, wine country, snow skiing, golf and of course, San Francisco. The Bay Area is home to so many great restaurants and boutique communities.

6. What charity do you support and why?
We've supported Wine, Women & Shoes benefiting St. Rose Hospital, The Child Abuse Prevention Council, Wardrobe for Opportunity, and many other local charities.

GKV Capital Management

Greg Vogel, Portfolio Manager

1. What does your company do?
We are an independent, fee-based investment advisor managing investment assets for our clients.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Protection and preservation of wealth are critical. Our clients also demand expertise, performance, transparency, and service. These are all areas that we are always striving to improve.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
We provide superior service, unparalleled expertise and an unbaised impartial perspective. We are an independent boutique in business for over 35 years.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
We exist to make a difference in our clients' lives. Through the protection and growth of assets we help people to live their life dreams and protect their long-term welfare.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
We are blessed with wonderful neighbors in a beautiful location with the perfect climate and proximity to the ocean and the mountains.

6. What charity do you support and why?
Our firm supports several local and national charities providing both time and financial resources.

Mason-McDuffie Mortgage

Kaveh Sartipi, VP/Branch Manager

1. What does your company do?
Mason-McDuffie Mortgage is a residential mortgage company helping homeowners with their home loan financing, whether it be on a purchase or refinance transaction.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Trust, products, and service. Our clients want to work with someone that they can trust with one of their biggest decisions and know that we can deliver them the great service that they deserve.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
Our team is service driven. We want to make sure that the needs of our clients are not only met, but exceeded. We are a local company, headquartered in San Ramon with history that dates back to 1887.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
It sounds cliché, but it's great when you see the excitement on your client and their kid's faces when they purchase their new home and it never changes whether they are a first time or move up buyer.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
I grew up in the East Bay and have been here for over 30 years. The small town atmosphere in each individual community is what I've always loved. Family oriented, safe place to raise a family.

6. What charity do you support and why?
We've always picked charities that have somehow touched us. We've raised over $50k in the past five years for breast cancer, Huntington's Disease, CCAR Scholarship, and this year Oakland Children's Hospital.

Mosaic Financial Partners, Inc.

Geoffrey Zimmerman, Senior Client Advisor

1. What does your company do?
We are an independently-owned fee-only wealth advisory firm offering financial planning and discretionary investment management services, primarily for individuals and families.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Ultimately, trust. Clients trust us to listen to their needs, to help them evaluate and understand the financial choices they face, to put their interests above our own, and to honor our commitments.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
Our culture and our people. We believe that a holistic approach leads to better advice and decisions. Our professional staff of 12 brings a wider variety of expertise than many smaller firms.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Being able to make a positive difference in the lives of others, understanding people's vision and goals, creating a game plan, and sharing the journey as coach, mentor, and advocate.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
Discovering the "hidden gems" in our community: hiking in the regional parks or open space, seeing a performance at Town Hall Theater, or enjoying a new restaurant with family and friends.

6. What charity do you support and why?
The Muir Heritage Land Trust is one of several. I enjoy hiking with our dogs and landscape photography, and feel that preserving land for outdoor activities enhances our local quality of life.

Vitucci & Associates

Pat Vitucci, President/CEO

1. What does your company do?
We are a fee based financial planning and wealth management firm.

2. What is most important to your clients?
The complete range of financial services including a financial plan, asset/money management, tax and estate planning, strategic and tactical funding "game plan", and a comprehensive safety review.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
We provide advice and guidance on an ongoing basis with our "Ten Client Deliverables." The value to clients is helping them get their "financial house" in order, and make smart choices with their money.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Providing a service to clients to help organize their financial goals and ensure timeliness in achieving those goals.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
The diversity of activities and individuals, the beauty of the geography, and the positive energy.

6. What charity do you support and why?
I have multiple worthy causes that I support.

Atlas

Jay Underwood, Owner

1. What does your company do?
Atlas is a lifestyle store for modern men. We curate the best clothing, shoes, grooming, and home accessories together for a one stop shopping experience.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Atlas always has new and exciting products to make them look their best. We offer the highest level of customer service.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
Atlas is locally owned which allows our buying team to assort product according to the appropriate seasonal needs of Northern California.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Helping a guy look his best so he can be his best.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
It's my home and a great place to have roots.

6. What charity do you support and why?
Alameda & Contra Costa Food Bank. No one should ever go hungry.

Davidson & Licht

Christie, Owner

1. What does your company do?
We are in the business of celebrating your special occasions with a timeless piece of jewelry, which reflects your personal taste within your budget.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Our clients value our honesty, quality, and our attention to detail. The designers we carry must meet our high standards and support the latest fashion trends our customers demand.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
Our clients value our honesty, quality, and our attention to detail. The designers we carry must meet our high standards and support the latest fashion trends our customers demand.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
When our customers are satisfied. We are fortunate to be part of the memorable moments that our customers share with us, which are forever recognized through the selection of a piece of jewelry.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
When our customers are satisfied. We are fortunate to be part of the memorable moments that our customers share with us, which are forever recognized through the selection of a piece of jewelry.

6. What charity do you support and why?
When our customers are satisfied. We are fortunate to be part of the memorable moments that our customers share with us, which are forever recognized through the selection of a piece of jewelry.

Footcandy

Teresa Vella
Owner

1. What does your company do?
We specialize in sales of high-end designer shoes and accessories.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Customer service, variety, and quality of our products.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
We pride ourselves on building customer relations and upholding our customer service to the highest standards.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
We love catering to our clients' needs, helping them pick out the perfect shoes and accessories, whetherit be for their wedding, anniversary, charity event, cocktail party, or just a girls night out!

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
How tight knit the community feels. There are always charity events and fundraisers going on that are largely put on an supported by the East Bay locals.

6. What charity do you support and why?
We support and donate to numerous charities in the area. Both personally and professionally we donate to Danville d'Elegance every year.

NaraCamicie

Margaret Lawrence, Partner

1. What does your company do?
We are a specialty Italian shirt and blouse company.

2. What is most important to your clients?
The special fit and details they can only find in our blouses and shirts.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
Our clients tell us they like the styles, details, great price, and easy maintenance of our styles.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Sometimes pretty clothes can really help with a person's confidence, and we love that.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
The nature, the people and the tolerant attitudes...we are enlightened!

6. What charity do you support and why?
NaraCamicie supports the charities important to our clients by donating gift certificates to their fundraisers or making a vendor table at an event and donating a percentage of proceeds to the charity.

Studio 6 Design

Carol Christenson & Shirley Meserole, Owner/ Senior Designer

1. What does your company do?
Interior Design; Guiding clients in decorating & furnishing of their homes; including kitchen & bath design, cabinets & counter tops, custom window & floor coverings, furniture & art, accessories.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Trust between client and designer.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
We listen and are sensitive to the needs of our clients and we incorporate their wishes into our plans.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Seeing how happy and satisfied our clients are upon completion of their project; knowing that they love their new space.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
It is filled with very diversified and upscale professionals that appreciate our design services.

6. What charity do you support and why?
Cancer research.

Broadway Eyeworks Optometry

Dr. Lawrence Mock, Optometrist

1. What does your company do?
Comprehensive eye exams with state of the art equipment, contact lens fitting and evaluations, personalized help with eyewear selection and lens recommendations, and Optomap digital retinal scans.

2. What is most important to your clients?
The quality of care delivered by our excellent staff of doctors. They appreciate the personalized help with the selection of fashion forward eyewear and the latest in premium lenses.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
We carry some of the most prestigious brands of eyewear including Chanel, Tiffany, Bvlgari, Oliver Peoples, Gucci, Lindberg, Dior, Bevel, and much more. Our dispensary is very large and spacious.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Helping someone to see well is one of the most rewarding experiences in this profession.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
Having been born and raised in the Bay Area, we share the love of beautiful cities and all the special events that bring people together.

Eyes on Hartz

Ken & Jackie Pardini, Owners

1. What does your company do?
We offer high-end eyewear and sunwear.

2. What is most important to your clients?
The exclusive products that we offer; the attention to detail in filling their prescriptions.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
We use high definition lenses that are measured very uniquely so that each pair is custom designed for that individual; we take facial features and wardrobe colors into account with each person we work with.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Giving our clients the most exciting optical experience ever and having them successful with eyewear that they weren't in the past.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
The people.

6. What charity do you support and why?
All cancer organizations because it has touched our lives with respect to both family and friends.

JumpstartMD

Conrad Lai, MD

1. What does your company do?
We are the largest medical weight loss practice in Northern California. Through our comprehensive whole food-based approach, we educate and counsel patients to achieve fast, effective weight loss.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Our clients are often interested in losing 10 or more pounds. They are looking for a realistic, evidence-based approach to weight loss in a supportive, supervised setting. Health is their priority.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
The whole food approach. We don't encourage liquid diets or meal replacements. One needs to learn how to eat for the rest of one's life. Helps that our results are 4x better than retail programs.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
As a physician who spent years treating heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes, it's gratifying to prevent or resolve all of these conditions through weight loss. There's no better intervention.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
We're blessed to live in a region with great food, wine, farmers markets, and restaurants. I'm not trying to be ironic. We just have to learn how to balance our desire for health with our lifestyles.

6. What charity do you support and why?
We've supported the Contra Costa County Food Bank as well as many of our local schools and community organizations through donation of our services and JumpstartMD funds.

Walnut Creek Medical Group

Dina Cleveland, Practice Administrator

1. What does your company do?
Provide healthcare to individuals of all ages and sex.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Establishing a professional, caring relationship with their physician.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
Well established female physicians who are passionate about their work.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Knowing that our physicians love their patients, that the patients needs and concerns are taken care of and that we can improve their quality of life.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
It keeps growing and evolving.

6. What charity do you support and why?
The Contra Costa Food Bank at the holiday season and each year we support a new charity by choice of a staff member.

Walnut Creek Pediatric Dentistry

Sahar Jaffrey, Pediatric Dentist

1. What does your company do?
We offer the most comprehensive, up-to-date dental services to children and young adolescents in a friendly, comfortable, state-of-the-art environment, with emphasis on quality care and prevention.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Our families appreciate and deserve quality dentistry. They feel comfortable trusting us with their children, and we don't take that trust lightly. Each child is treated as if they were our own.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
Besides having the prestigious Certification by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, our doctors are mothers themselves. The doctors are very qualified with Hospital and Teaching Privileges.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Relieving a child's pain, fears, or lowering parents' anxiety is what we take pride in. I love it when children look at me with wide eyes and ask in disbelief: Did I get a shot? Really?

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
What is not to love? There is such a great sense of community, everyone's really friendly, all of the services and activities one would want are easily accessible.

6. What charity do you support and why?
We support children charities and fundraisers by the Contra Costa Dental Society and the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry, such as Give Kids a Smile and Lebow Children's Foundation.

Antigua Doors

Gabriela Ramsey, Co-Owner

1. What does your company do?
We are a national distribution point that has been designing and creating custom doors since 1999. We work with homeowners, builders, designers, and architects to make one-of-a-kind furniture-grade doors.

2. What is most important to your clients?
We are able to offer unlimited design and finishes and meet anybody's budget.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
Antigua offers the best hand-crafted solid wood doors with unique furniture-grade and the best finishes. Antigua has a reputation for building almost anything a client could photograph or sketch.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Clients' satisfaction and pride when they receive their Antigua door!

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
Having founded our company in the East Bay community, it has helped us maintain our reputation and client network.

6. What charity do you support and why?
We like to support local foundations that raise funds for ill children.

Galleria Shades and Shutters

Mike Baker, Owner

1. What does your company do?
We provide custom window treatments, awnings, external screen shades, and motorized shades from Hunter Douglas, Durasol, Lutron and Mechoshade.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Making their homes look beautiful with quality workmanship and quality products.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
We treat our customer's homes as if they were our own. We provide expertise in everything we do - from design to installation.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Being an expert at what I do and taking that to the next level for our customers.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
Great sense of community. The weather. Shopping and restaurants. Great schools. Great open space areas.

6. What charity do you support and why?
Younglife and The American Cancer Society.

Alain Pinel Realtors

Margaret Garber-Teeter, Realtor

1. What does your company do?
I have been selling residential real estate in the Contra Costa area for over 30 years.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Extensive knowledge of the market and long-time experience, as well as marketing expertise and skillful negotiation.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
With over 30 years in this industry, I know what it takes to successfully sell a home or successfully negotiate the best price for a buyer.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Buying and selling real estate can be a stressful time in a person’s life. I love being able to make the process as smooth as possible and be my client's resource  person long after the transaction is completed.

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
There is so much to love but I truly enjoy all of the fabulous walking and hiking trails that are so accessible here in the East Bay.

6. What charity do you support and why?
I am involved at my church, St. John Vianney, Walnut Creek. It has give me the opportunity to help others through our many community service outreach projects.

Splash Swim School

Liz Claytor, President & CFO

1. What does your company do?
We specialize in weekly swim lessons for children, ages 6 months and up, in our specially-designed, indoor teaching facility. We love to swim, and our goal is to teach our students to love it too!

2. What is most important to your clients?
Indoor, weekly lessons that are in 92 degree water are a big plus for our customers. Also, a well-defined curriculum and rewards system help to measure progress and keep our students motivated!

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
What sets us apart is our focus on added value and customer service. Every student is special at Splash, and we work hard to make sure that they have all they need to learn to swim and love it!

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Running a business is challenging and rewarding in and of itself, and seeing the learning process and that moment when a child gains confidence in the water is incredibly motivating. I love what I do!

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
Living in the East Bay is great. The area is so family and sports-oriented, and there are so many fun things to do! I also really enjoy all the people that I meet through my work.

6. What charity do you support and why?
I am a big believer in giving back to the community. There are a few charities that we support, but my main focus is the Jr. League of Oakland-East Bay which serves the needs of local families.

The Claremont Hotel Club & Spa

Bruce Carlton, General Manager

1. What does your company do?
The Claremont is a true landmark situated in the hills overlooking San Francisco Bay. We create traditions unique to guests visiting our rooms, restaurants, club, spa, and meetings/banquets/events.

2. What is most important to your clients?
Access to a special, timeless place and variety of choices and activities. Guests enjoy a uniquely personal experience.

3. What makes you/your company stand out from the rest?
The Claremont is an iconic destination offering whimsy, hospitality, and eclectic choices to all visitors. We offer historic charm, elegance and reflect our community.

4. What makes your work meaningful?
Our entire team enjoys making each guest's/visitor's experience truly unique and personal. Our goal is to ensure that every guest returns again and again!

5. What do you love the most about the East Bay community?
The East Bay provides geographic and cultural diversity in addition to gourmet restaurants, cultural events, a provocative intellectual community, and unparalleled views and outdoor adventures.

6. What charity do you support and why?
The Claremont is pleased to support hundreds of worthwhile East Bay charities and organizations. We are especially proud to support the brave men and women of local police and fire departments.