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Operationalizing Unreasonable Hospitality: Building Systems That Care

Culture isn’t built by chance. It’s built by design, one intentional system at a time. In our last newsletter, we explored how the philosophy of unreasonable hospitality begins by elevating every employee and customer touchpoint. But touchpoints alone are just moments. To create lasting impact, those moments need to be part of something bigger: a system of care. As one of only a few certified coaches in Will Guidara’s Unreasonable Hospitality methodology, I help companies take this from concept to

May is Wildfire Awareness Month - Let’s Get Prepared, Together

Wildfire Awareness Month is here, and there’s no better time to take action. May marks the start of peak wildfire season in California — a critical window for communities, contractors, and builders to strengthen fire resilience through education, collaboration, and proactive planning. This month, we’re highlighting tools and trainings to support you and your clients in reducing wildfire risk: California Fire Safe Council Vendors List A curated list of wildfire resilience products and professionals is

Safety & Training Short: Trenching and Shoring - Access, Egress, and Crossings

Objective: To reinforce awareness about the technical requirements for trench access points and surface crossings.Access and Egress: A stairway, ladder, or ramp must be present in excavations that are four feet deep or more. Do not enter a trench without an established means of egress. Stairways, ladders, or ramps must be located within 25 feet of employees.Ladders must extend 3 feet above the excavation.Ladders must be a single piece of equipment. Do not lash multiple ladders together to meet height

Marin Housing Authority: Request for Proposal for Electrical Work

Marin Housing Authority (MHA)invites you to participate in our latest Request for Proposal (RFP) for:  Electrification Upgrades for Four MHA Multifamily PropertiesRFP No.: 2025-003Proposal Due Date: Monday, June 2, 2025, 11:59 PM (PST)  MHA is seeking qualified contractors to perform comprehensive electrification upgrades at four multifamily properties in Marin County: Casa Nova, Venetia Oaks, Golden Hinde, and Homestead Terrace. The objective is to transition these buildings from fossil fuel-based

Celebrating our 2025-26 Marin Home Resource Guide Ad Partners!

We want to express our deep gratitude to our wonderful 2025-26 Marin Home Resource Guide Ad Partners! Their generous support of our signature publication made this edition possible - and our best yet!Celebrating in alpha order:A and P Moving, Inc.Aaero Heating & Sheetmetalbuilding LabCanty Real Estate Group, IncCentral Valley EnvironmentalCity Carpets, Carpet OneClough ConstructionCounty of Marin Community Development Agency Sustainability TeamCruise Americard/Boyett PetroleumDesign Set

Celebrating our Member Referral Partners - Thank You for Helping Us Build Our Community!

We would like to recognize and celebrate our wonderful REFERRAL PARTNERS!2025:Julie Feinstein, Arana Craftsman Painters, who referred Ange McLane De-Levi, Strategic HR Partners (SHRP)Adam Jackson, Ceramic Tile Center, who referred Deena and Steve Adkins, Surface Art CountertopsJason Pech, Mayan Climber Tree Service, Inc., who referred Robert Bovero, Marin County Arborists, Inc.Leo Bakerian, Professional Computer Concepts, Inc., who referred Adrienne Broadbear, BROADBEARARCHDonalyn Hellar, Ferguson Home, who

Remodeling in a Fear Economy - 5 Top Takeaways by Alisa Hoffman, Design Set Match

While I don't claim to be an economist or political expert, I can tell you that the remodeling industry has entered what I'm calling a "Fear Economy." This term describes the current climate of uncertainty and reactive purchasing behavior we're witnessing in the home improvement sector. Since the recent presidential election, clients have been asking what we're doing about impending tariffs and how they should approach their home projects. Initially, the answer was straightforward: remodel now because

Big Skills Tiny Home is Looking for Learning Leaders

Get Ready for Our May Complimentary Workshop - Kickstart to Power BI

Get Ready for Our May Complimentary Workshop - Kickstart to Power BI We’re excited to offer live, instructor-led workshops designed to help you and your team get the most out of Microsoft’s most powerful tools. These hands-on sessions cover Excel, Power BI, Microsoft Forms, OneDrive, SharePoint, and more—providing the skills you need to work smarter and boost productivity. Upcoming Live Workshop: Kickstart to Power BI ?? Date & Time: Friday, May 30 · 11am – 12pm PDT ?? Learn more &

Safety & Training Short: Electrical Safety - Energized Electrical Work

Objective: To reinforce proper preparation procedures for instances when working with energized work is necessary.Electrical equipment must be worked on in a de-energized state unless you are qualified and properly equipped to work on it when energized: Employees face potential arc flash and shock injuries from energized equipment when equipment is not properly guarded against shock hazards, or when not locked out and tagged-out in its de-energized state. Qualified persons may work on systems when

Workers Comp Insurance Fraud: It costs more than you think

For more information, download this printable brochure here or contact: Marin County District Attorney's Office Attn: Insurance Fraud Unit 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 130 San Rafael, CA 94903 415.473.6450co.marin.ca.us/da  

Every Touchpoint Matters: The Secret to Creating Remarkable Employee & Customer Experiences

Unreasonable Hospitality in Action: Turning Everyday Moments into Extraordinary Culture Will Guidara’s philosophy of unreasonable hospitality isn’t about grand gestures, it’s about intentionality. At his restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, the number one restaurant in the world, the team examined every single touchpoint a guest might encounter and asked: “How can we make this better?” Imagine applying that same lens to your business, not just for customers, but for your employees too. As one of only a

Enhancing Employee Well-being and Reducing Healthcare Costs Through Blood Pressure Management

Invest in your employees' well-being and manage long-term healthcare costs by proactively addressing a major health risk: high blood pressure.   Affecting nearly half of U.S. adults and significantly increasing the risk of costly conditions like heart disease and stroke, uncontrolled high blood pressure represents a substantial health burden for employees and a potential financial strain for employers. Blood pressure measures the force of blood against artery walls. Maintaining healthy levels is crucial

April Workshop - Copilot for Word

Free Live Microsoft Workshop – Copilot for Word (April 25) At Professional Computer Concepts, we believe that when businesses have the right tools—and know how to use them—everyone wins. That’s why we’ve partnered with LearnIT to offer complimentary, instructor-led Microsoft workshops to help our community boost productivity and make the most of the tools they already use. This month’s featured session is perfect for anyone ready to tap into the power of AI:Copilot for Word Thursday, April 25, 202511

Bid Faster and Win More Jobs with AI Estimating from KonstructIQ: Free Webinar

Creating accurate estimates used to take hours of manual work and endless spreadsheet tweaking. Now, with KonstructIQ’s new AI Estimating feature, all you need is a short project description to generate a detailed, editable estimate in minutes. Whether you're remodeling a kitchen or building a new home, you can now build accurate estimates faster, win more jobs, and save time. Describe. Review. Finalize. Just enter a brief project description and KonstructIQ instantly generates a full scope of work.

Resilient Neighborhoods Presents: FREE Online Climate Action Workshops

Resilient Neighborhoods empowers people to take personal and local action to reduce their household greenhouse gas emissions and create connected communities resilient to disasters. We offer two workshops every season. Workshops are virtual and can be done from the comfort of your own home. You'll meet 5 times over 8 weeks with a team of Marin County community members. Meetings are 90 minutes followed by an optional Q&A session.Thursday Team Dates: Jun 12 (Kickoff), Jun 26, Jul 10, Jul 24 & Aug 7 6:30 -

Safety & Training Short: Pressure Washers

Objective: To ensure safe operation, pressure washer users must be trained, inspect equipment before use, wear appropriate PPE, and follow safety precautions to mitigate potential hazards. A pressure washer is a mechanical sprayer that uses increased water pressure to clean surfaces. If not used properly, pressure washers can cause injuries. Before using a pressure washer, prepare for its potential hazards.   Possible hazards include: Excessive noise and flying debris, which can affect both you and

Construction Related Hiring Opportunities

At the Marin Builders Association, we are often approached by graduates of our construction training programs, or those interested in pursuing a career in construction trades.   Often times, we are asked to connect these applicants to our members who may be hiring or offering an internship at their company. If your firm offers internships or if you have upcoming job opportunities, we want to hear from you! To join a short list of employers who are looking to hire or offering internships, please take 3

Smith Currie Oles' Procurement Playbook: Contracting in the Age of Trump Updates

Federal government contracting is impacted each time there is a change in administration in the White House. This year will be no different. We will be monitoring daily the Executive Orders and policy changes coming from the Trump administration that will impact you and your projects. You will likely receive a flurry of information as we keep you updated on these important changes that will be coming frequently over the next several days. Click here to access the Procurement Playbook and subscribe here to

Safety & Training Short: Bloodborne Pathogens - Sharps Safety

Objective: To raise awareness of sharps hazards and safe handling practices. Improper handling or disposal of needles and other sharps, such as scalpels, broken glass, and razors, can result in serious infections, including the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), the Hepatitis C virus (HBC), and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. If you work around sharps, take precautions to limit your exposure. In addition, follow universal precautions: treat all blood and other potentially infectious

The National Waste & Recycling Association Announces Patty Garbarino, President of Marin Sanitary Service, as an Inductee into 2025 Hall of Fame

Arlington, Virginia—(March 27, 2025) —The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) announced the list of 2025 Hall of Fame inductees, including Marin Sanitary Service’s President, Patty Garbarino.  “I am deeply honored to follow in my Father’s footsteps and be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Garbarino said.  “This honor belongs to all the Marin Sanitary staff, the cities, and the residents that we serve every day.  Together, we are recycling materials to make our community and the world a better

Phishy Business Alert!

Phishy Business Alert! Think you can spot a fake email from a mile away? The cybercriminals are betting you can't. With over 160 billion spam emails flying around every day, even the savviest among us can get tricked. Some of these scams are sneaky. We’re talking fake shipping notices, spoofed invoices, and messages that look like they came from your boss (but definitely didn’t). Lucky for you, we’ve put together a quick guide to help you sniff out the phony stuff before you click.?? Check out the blog

Standing Room Only at MBA's March Member Morning

If you BUILD it, they will come! We welcomed over 130 guests at our March Member Morning on Thursday, March 20th. Thank you to everyone who attended and filled the room with such incredible energy!  The theme of the event was Member Connections and we could not be more proud to have provided our members with this opportunity to do just that. Special thanks to our delicious coffee and donut sponsor, George Petersen Insurance Agency! We hope to see all of you at the next one!

The Power of Unreasonable Hospitality: How Putting Employees First Transforms Business Success

When people hear the word hospitality, they think about restaurants & hotels. But what if hospitality wasn’t just about guests what if it became the foundation for how businesses treat their employees? Will Guidara, author of Unreasonable Hospitality, revolutionized the fine dining industry by creating extraordinary guest experiences. But his philosophy isn’t just for restaurants, it’s a game changer for all businesses. We embrace this mindset in our consulting & strategy sessions to help businesses be

Free Safety Training Options for MBA Members

Marin Builders Association has been awarded a Susan Harwood Training Grant which will provide FREE safety training to contractors and their workers throughout Marin County. Your interest in the potential topics will help us determine what trainings to offer to you, our members. Your reply will take less than 2 minutes and will help us meet our grant requirements. We appreciate your help!   Take 2 minute survey

OSHA’s Final PPE Rule for Construction: What Contractors Need to Know

On January 13, 2025, OSHA’s final rule took effect regarding the standard for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the construction industry. PPE, which includes hard hats, gloves, goggles, safety shoes, safety glasses, welding helmets, hearing protection, respirators, coveralls, vests, harnesses, and full body suits, is now required to be made available in proper sizes by companies in the construction industry to their workforces. Previously, the construction industry was excluded from the proper fitting

Elevate Your Leadership with Adaptive Strategies

In today’s fast-paced business environment, staying ahead means embracing change and leading with agility. I want to share with you how adaptive leadership can transform challenges into opportunities and how my team and I are here to help you make that shift.  What Is Adaptive Leadership? Adaptive leadership isn’t just another buzzword; it’s a powerful mindset that helps you navigate complex challenges and drive meaningful change. It’s about understanding that the landscape is constantly evolving and

Marin Housing Authority Requests Bids on Several Projects

Marin Housing Authority is seeking a range of services, from electricians, to general contractors, to painters and several others. Solicitations can be found here: https://www.marinhousing.org/bids.

Windows 10 End of Life: Are You Ready for the Road Ahead?

?? Windows 10 End of Life: Are You Ready for the Road Ahead? ?? Still cruising along with Windows 10 like it’s your favorite old car? ?? It’s been reliable, but here’s the problem—the manufacturer is pulling the plug. After October 14, 2025, there will be no more security updates, no bug fixes, and no support—just a system running on borrowed time, wide open to cyber threats. Would you keep driving a car if the brakes stopped working? Probably not. So why risk running outdated, unsupported software?

MBA is Looking for a New Team Member

We're looking for the newest member of the MBA team!Job Title: Administrative & Marketing Support SpecialistLocation: Marin Builders Association, San Rafael, CAReports to: CEOPosition Overview: The Marin Builders Association (MBA) is seeking a highly organized, self-motivated, and versatile Administrative & Marketing Support Specialist to join our team on a part-time basis. This role is ideal for a self-starter with strong administrative skills, a passion for marketing, and a drive to enhance member

City of Novato Launches Express Building Permit Service

City Launches Express Building Permit ServiceStreamlined permitting process for registered and licensed contractors The City of Novato is thrilled to announce the launch of our new Express Permit Service for registered and licensed contractors. This service is designed to streamline and expedite the permitting process for select residential projects, saving you valuable time and effort. What is Express Permit Service?  Express Permit Service provides a faster and more convenient option for minor

Marin County Office of Education School to Career Partnership: Internship Opportunity

Developing Our Workforce The Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) is actively seeking civic-oriented businesses to host spring and summer internships for students at San Rafael High, Terra Linda High, Novato High, and San Marin High Schools. MCOE's School to Career Partnership provides students with direct support to engage in hands-on work-based learning experience and career exploration, leading to high-demand, high-wage jobs. Student's interests cover a broad scope of industries. Your participation

Home Hardening in Action

When wildfire swept through Camarillo, California, Steven Snyder’s fire-hardened home emerged unscathed amid widespread destruction in his neighborhood. By choosing to build with fire-resistant materials—Class A roofing, fireproof siding, ember-resistant vents, and a fully cleared defensible space—Snyder’s home stood resilient against the flames. His story underscores the critical role of wildfire-ready construction as California’s seasons grow more intense, especially in high-risk areas like Marin

Liens & Completions 2023 - 2024

Click the links below to view a current list of Liens & Completions published and provided by the County of Marin. If what you're looking for is not listed below, please don't hesitate to call our offices directly at 415.462.1220 or contact Paula Krause

Biggest Workers’ Compensation Mistakes by Contractors

In this crazy time of the COVID-19, it is not the time to cut corners to your detriment. While well intentioned contractors are always attempting to keep costs down to make a profit, they make some mistakes regarding workers’ compensation insurance.   Most common mistakes are:Certifying with the Contractors License Board that they do not need workers’ compensation insurance as they have no employees when they may have employees or use day laborers. . Not checking the sub-contractors to make sure they are