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And heeeeeere's....Tony Goularte Mechanics Bank!
As promised, I've decided to use my blog as a place to promote local businesses. My first profile spotlight is Tony Goularte from Mechanics Bank in Elk Grove.
If you haven't been into Mechanics Bank in Elk Grove yet, please stop by and visit - you will be amazed at the welcome you receive. Stop first to visit Tony Goularte, the banks Financial Service Manager then be sure to step into Denise Santiago's office, the Office Manager.
Don't try to pronounce Tony's last name without some help - I still struggle and I know the man. It's Goo-lart. I always try to add a couple extra vowels and use that "e" at the end (they're there - aren't you supposed to use them?)
Tony is one of my most favorite people in this town. I love to talk to people who have a passion for what their business can do for others and his tops most. His face changes dramatically when he get started on how much he loves what he does.
Tony's life started in the bay area - Pinole to be exact. His mom, retired now, was with Mechanics Bank for 40 years, ending her career with this family owned bank as the Vice President of Human Resources. Tony started his first bank account - with Mechanics - at the age of 5 with a Christmas Club Savings account. So Tony has had banking in his blood for a long time. He has personally seen how this bank can stand behind its claim of "home town and community focused". He would have loved to come to work for the bank after his graduation from CSU Sacramento, but because his mother worked in HR, that conflict didn't support his employment. So, he went to work for one of the big banks, seeing firsthand the difference in banking with a large organization and the privately held, family owned business he grew up with.
Banks are notorious for making people "account numbers" and although they attempt to offer "customer service" in the form of a door greeter (can we say "Wal Mart"?) it just doesn't get them there. And I guess I should clarify here - I don't mean to trash the big banks. They have their client base that needs them and they can be good at that. But when a customer truly wants a bank that can give them the "Nordstrom" experience, knows them, treats them like they are part of the family and can act as a resource (need a good dentist? contractor?), then Mechanics Bank is the one your want. With 40+ offices (not branches mind you!) in California and the offer of NO ATM fees (see bank for details), you can find one that works for you.
Here's an interesting insight Tony gave me: most people see their dentist twice a hear - they know their dentist's name; they see their doctor about the same - they know that person's name too. People interact with their bank - DAILY - how many people know their banker's name? I found that an intriguing analogy - don't you?
Back to Tony's life....sports is something he loves and used to spend a lot of time playing at: skiing, water sports, baseball, football, baseball (yes, I know I said that twice...he likes baseball!) Today, with little Aaron (named after Hank Aaron - see why I said it twice?) and wife Traci as his daily "outside of work" focus, he doesn't find the time to get as involved physically with sports, but has found another outlet or two. He is actively involved and on the board of several foundations raising funds to help kids do what they want: Elk Grove Youth Sports Foundation, Elk Grove Police Activities League (PAL) and California Fire Exploring. These groups raise funds to help under privileged kids go to sports camps and the fire fighting academy. Tony's community involvement includes the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce and BNI (Business Networking International) where he currently serves as the Vice President.
Here's a little "fun fact" or two about Tony:
His little league team ranked 5th IN THE WORLD! When he was 12, he played in the Little League World Series and his team gained 5th place. That's impressive!
He also told me a funny story about a cat and the toilet - but I promised I wouldn't print that. You'll have to ask him about it when you visit him!
If you haven't been into Mechanics Bank in Elk Grove yet, please stop by and visit - you will be amazed at the welcome you receive. Stop first to visit Tony Goularte, the banks Financial Service Manager then be sure to step into Denise Santiago's office, the Office Manager.
Don't try to pronounce Tony's last name without some help - I still struggle and I know the man. It's Goo-lart. I always try to add a couple extra vowels and use that "e" at the end (they're there - aren't you supposed to use them?)
Tony is one of my most favorite people in this town. I love to talk to people who have a passion for what their business can do for others and his tops most. His face changes dramatically when he get started on how much he loves what he does.
Tony's life started in the bay area - Pinole to be exact. His mom, retired now, was with Mechanics Bank for 40 years, ending her career with this family owned bank as the Vice President of Human Resources. Tony started his first bank account - with Mechanics - at the age of 5 with a Christmas Club Savings account. So Tony has had banking in his blood for a long time. He has personally seen how this bank can stand behind its claim of "home town and community focused". He would have loved to come to work for the bank after his graduation from CSU Sacramento, but because his mother worked in HR, that conflict didn't support his employment. So, he went to work for one of the big banks, seeing firsthand the difference in banking with a large organization and the privately held, family owned business he grew up with.
Banks are notorious for making people "account numbers" and although they attempt to offer "customer service" in the form of a door greeter (can we say "Wal Mart"?) it just doesn't get them there. And I guess I should clarify here - I don't mean to trash the big banks. They have their client base that needs them and they can be good at that. But when a customer truly wants a bank that can give them the "Nordstrom" experience, knows them, treats them like they are part of the family and can act as a resource (need a good dentist? contractor?), then Mechanics Bank is the one your want. With 40+ offices (not branches mind you!) in California and the offer of NO ATM fees (see bank for details), you can find one that works for you.
Here's an interesting insight Tony gave me: most people see their dentist twice a hear - they know their dentist's name; they see their doctor about the same - they know that person's name too. People interact with their bank - DAILY - how many people know their banker's name? I found that an intriguing analogy - don't you?
Back to Tony's life....sports is something he loves and used to spend a lot of time playing at: skiing, water sports, baseball, football, baseball (yes, I know I said that twice...he likes baseball!) Today, with little Aaron (named after Hank Aaron - see why I said it twice?) and wife Traci as his daily "outside of work" focus, he doesn't find the time to get as involved physically with sports, but has found another outlet or two. He is actively involved and on the board of several foundations raising funds to help kids do what they want: Elk Grove Youth Sports Foundation, Elk Grove Police Activities League (PAL) and California Fire Exploring. These groups raise funds to help under privileged kids go to sports camps and the fire fighting academy. Tony's community involvement includes the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce and BNI (Business Networking International) where he currently serves as the Vice President.
Here's a little "fun fact" or two about Tony:
His little league team ranked 5th IN THE WORLD! When he was 12, he played in the Little League World Series and his team gained 5th place. That's impressive!
He also told me a funny story about a cat and the toilet - but I promised I wouldn't print that. You'll have to ask him about it when you visit him!
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