I am currently an assistant manager (Mate) at Trader Joes and have a goal to take on my own store as manager (Captain) in the next 2 years. I have 20 years experience in retail management, running stores for both Target and Safeway. Three years ago I made the decision to leave my six figured job at Target to find a company that cared just as much about me and it's employees as the bottom line. I have found that work/life balance at Trader Joes!
I am also a local musician with a strong passion for using my talents to help inspire others. I currently lead a cover band, Self Proclaimed Heroes, in which we focus on "Saving the World One Song at a Time". I also write and perform my own music in the band Davenport.
On August 24th, 2014, the Napa Valley experience a 6.0 earthquake that greatly impacted me, my family and many friends. After the cleanup of my own home in American Canyon, just 2 miles from the epicenter, I reached out to friends/family in the area to see how I could assist them. After many unanswered phone calls/texts or rushed conversations, I was left with a feeling of uselessness. The following day left me with this increased feeling and a stranger realization that after the initial cleanup was complete a need in the community would inevitably be there as business were destroyed and houses knocked off their foundations.
I begun playing with the idea of a benefit concert to help raise funds for families and businesses that were devastated by the quakes impact. I posted the following on Facebook on August 25th, 2014:
The “Napa Rocks… & We Keep Rolling!” Campaign
The Facts:
On 8/24/24 at 3:20am Napa County experience a 6.0 quake
Injury tally climbs to 120; 6 critically injured
The damages are now estimated to top 1 Billion dollars
Only 6% of people in Napa have Earthquake insurance
I have experienced a lot of different emotions over the last 28+ hours… Two in particular have continued to haunt me as I have attempted to go about my “normal” routine.
First, a feeling of Helplessness, as I have discovered how unprepared I was to best protect and provide for my family and friends during this time of need. Having basically lived in California my whole life, I’ve taken for granted how vulnerable we are and how 20 seconds can change so much.
Second, the feeling of Uselessness, as my attempts to help others more impacted than my family, have gone unanswered. Reasons being, overwhelming feelings of where to begin or an uncertainty as to how I can help…
So I think… What CAN I do?
We live in an amazing community that has already begun to rally around each other and help us “Roll” on. Once the glass is swept, and the rubble cleared, money is going to be needed to rebuild. Many of my friends and family have been impacted both at home and the workplace. It is going to be a tough road ahead, but I know the journey can be that much easier if we continue to rally together.
My Proposition:
The “Napa Rocks… & We Keep Rolling!” Campaign
Take things that our community is passionate about, and create a “fun”-draiser event!
1) Music: We can get other local bands and artists donate their services to entertain the community. (My band has already agreed to play this proposed event.)
2) Food: Have local food business, that weren’t as impacted, donate profits from the event.
3) Wine/Beer: Have local food business, that weren’t as impacted, donate profits from the event.
4) Education: Have local police and fire agencies help educate the community on how to best prepare for an earthquake and overcome the aftermath.
I am envisioning a music stage, food tents/trucks, wine/beer booths, education stations, kids booths with face painting/hair decorating, “Napa Rocks… and We Keep Rolling” T-shirts designed by a local artist, etc.
A community event for the community, in which all proceeds will help Napa get back into their homes and help them open the doors to their businesses…
Here is the thing… I have NO CLUE how to go about executing something like this. This is where all you come in. So let’s rally together and show the world that Napa is more than just about wine and that we are a community passionate about the wellbeing of others.
I awoke the next morning with an alarming number of emails/texts/FB messages, etc. all proclaiming their support for the event. Long story short, a month later a 4 day event initialed "Napa Valley Rocks" took place resulting in over $450k of monetary and in-kind donations for the Napa Valley Community Relief Fund.
Just as important, if not more, than the initial funds raised, was the impact on the Napa economy ensuring visitors from around the world that Napa was open for business. Speaking to local business owners/managers that weekend, I was told that not only was that weekend the busiest they had since the earthquake a month prior, it was the busiest they'd been all whole summer!
Given my managerial experience and experience with the "Napa Valley Rocks" campaign, I would like to further explore the idea of live music on the local economy. Ultimately I would like to purpose to the City of Napa the idea of a long standing event that would help benefit local musicians, local businesses and potentially raise funds for local music programs and other charitable organizations.
Much like my initial Facebook post, I "have no clue", or at least not much of one, with regards to how to develop a proposal for such an event. I had A LOT of help getting Napa Valley Rocks to happen and to be honest, did absolutely nothing when it came to permitting, venue planning, talent acquisition, etc. I am merely a musician with an idea hoping that with my managerial skills and connections made during Napa Valley Rock, I can make something come to fruition.
My goal to utilize this class project to gain an understanding of the laws pertaining live music in venues through-out the downtown Napa area, explore the idea of a nonprofit organization and research the impact, both good and bad, of live music on a community like Napa. I would then like to develop a proposal to present to city officials to seek approval on such a recurring event.
