Hollister – Two local accounting firms recently merged to create the new company Bianchi, Kasavan and Pope – a firm with 20 certified public accountants.
Managing partner Bob Bianchi said the recent deal between Bianchi, Lorincz, Huey, Hudson and Co. and Kasavan and Pope is “part of the business dynamics of the world we live in.”
“We’ve grown through merger over the last 10 years,” Bianchi said. “With the age of digital technology, we can do more with fewer people.”
Like other local businesses, Bianchi said his old firm had been hurt by Hollister’s building moratorium, which has halted growth since 2002. But Bianchi said he was “averse” to firing employees, and the merger allowed him to keep all of Bianchi, Lorincz, Huey, Hudson and Co.’s employees on board.
The new firm has locations in Hollister, Monterey, Salinas and Morgan Hill. In Hollister, Kasavan and Pope employees are moving into the Bianchi offices at 243 6th St.
The firm offers tax planning and preparation, retirement planning, payroll services and more. The merger won’t hurt customer service at all, Bianchi said.
Local plumber thrives in Hollister
Husband-and-wife team David and Kim Marquez started Marquez Plumbing more than a year ago, and Kim Marquez said Monday that the risky move had panned out.
“I think we’re both surprised with how well we’ve done in a short amount of time,” she said.
Prior to opening the business, at 1861 Calistoga Dr., David Marquez worked for other plumbers for 12 years. Asked if she had been worried about her husband’s decision to start his own business, Marquez said, “Oh no, I pushed him into it.”
The business continues to grow, she said. Marquez Plumbing incorporated earlier this year, and Marquez said she recently decided to join the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce.
As a new business, Kim Marquez said she and her husband have relied not only on David’s skill and professionalism, but also his history and reputation in the community,
“He’s been here all his life,” Marquez said. “He knows a lot of people.”
David handles the plumbing while Kim takes care of the paperwork. Neither of them had experience operating a business of this size, but Kim Marquez thinks they made the right decision.
“There’s been more stress, but with that comes the pride of ownership,” she said.
Business Notebook appears every other Tuesday. If you have business news to share, contact reporter Anthony Ha at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
