by Richard Lieberman

Ed Sanchez provides window restoration services for historical private homes, and public buildings. Owner of Home Window Repair located in Ventura. Sanchez started out as an engineering student at Cal Poly. He went to work at JPL as an Electronic Technician, but after a while he realized that he just didn’t like it. “After working at Jet Propulsion Laboratory for a year I realized I just didn’t want it” said Sanchez”. Eventually Sanchez went to work for a windows manufacturer, “I found I liked being in people’s homes, it was just the best” added Sanchez.

After a few years, he went into business on his own in Orange County “I became the only Window Restorer in the OC” stated Sanchez. Uncomfortable with replacing wood windows with aluminum Sanchez said “I saw how well-made some older windows were, and some that were kind of goofy, but it was exciting, I looked forward to the challenge of restoring windows to their original glory”

Moving to Ventura last January after selling his Orange County business he decided he would retire, but he wanted to continue performing window replacement for your home along with something more, and he began Home Window Repairs. The company specializes in restoration which fits his passion for engineering and his mechanical aptitude. “I have a great appreciation for historic objects, and an ability to see problems as opportunities” added Sanchez.

“As an engineer, you learn to think outside the box when you’re faced with a problem,” he said. “When you work with older windows, you have situations where the parts you need to fix them aren’t readily available. So, you either have to look very hard to find them, or build your own; you create your own solution” added Sanchez. He talked about the joy he got from doing his own DIY projects stating that it was always exciting to get the best supplies at trade prices so he can finish a project without issue.

“Most of all you need to be patient. You need to enjoy the process, enjoy the challenge of solving a problem. Some guys if they break something they curse. If I break something, I think, OK, now I have something else to do, another problem to solve; let’s get to it It’s a different way of looking at a problem, to see it as a learning experience.” Sanchez said.

Sanchez enjoys historical restorations and for maintaining a buildings historical integrity. Often restoration is less expensive than replacement. Although when homeowners are looking for Replacement Windows Toronto companies may look to see if restoration is possible and if it isn’t would look at replacing them.
Some cities even require home owners to keep the old windows especially on front of their homes. “Residents often don’t know that they can have these windows work,” Sanchez said. “The windows can be weather-stripped, and restored so they don’t stick, leak or rattle. It is cheaper than buying new windows, and greener, since the homeowners won’t be filling landfills with their windows or buying new, out-gassing vinyl windows”. Places like Window World Oahu are able to offer customers the options of purchasing new windows especially when a restoration project would not be suitable for the property.

“Many people don’t know that total window replacement isn’t always necessary,” he said. “I’m hoping I can help people realize they don’t have to spend as much as they think to have windows that are beautiful, energy-efficient and preserve the character of their building and community.”

by Rebecca Wicks

Beth Sutherland has worn many hats in a storied career that stretches from an education in spiritual psychology to jobs in environmental project management and event planning in both the public and private sectors. She believes it has all been in preparation for what she does now. Today, Sutherland is the founder and owner of Your Estate Assistant, a company that offers dissolution services and aging adult transition solutions. Sutherland considers her job the perfect combination of everything she has experience in with the added bonus of feeling fulfilled at the end of each project – something, not always easily found.

Over the years and before officially starting her business, Sutherland had helped a handful of friends and family members with cleaning out the house of a deceased loved one.

“I realized the skill of sorting, itemizing, organizing and all the planning involved for either downsizing or to sell a house was actually not something the average person comes equipped with,” said Sutherland. Saying this though, choosing to use services such as a Man And Van Hire In London (if you live in this area of the UK) could save you time when it comes to moving your items from your old to new home. Plus, there is no harm in asking for help, especially if it makes the moving process a lot less stressful.

Moreover, Sutherland realized she was good at it. And, it became clear to her that people didn’t always have someone to turn to with these activities. Sutherland, previously a personal coach, also recognized her unique ability to be with people when there is chaos and crisis was a huge asset.

“It’s hard when people are not necessarily at their best, but are asked to be,” said Sutherland. “Having that experience as a personal coach helps, especially after a loved one has died, when someone is in the midst of a divorce, or when other big life changes are occurring.” If it’s the case of a divorce you may want a specialist divorce lawyer so you know no stone has been left un-turned and everything has been sorted legally and correctly.

Sutherland moved to California almost 30 years ago to work in wellness, specializing in helping post stroke and brain injury patients. She later moved to Ventura in 1994 and worked with the City of Ventura on the area’s first “adopt a beach or park” program and has remained close by ever since.

“We are blessed to have incredible climate and I love to hike and be outside,” said Sutherland.

Sutherland receives the majority of her business via word of mouth and is commonly called upon by family lawyers and attorneys to help with dissolving an estate after someone passes away. She stresses she is not an estate planner or lawyer.

“I focus on the contents of a household,” explained Sutherland who oftentimes works with family members who don’t live in the area. “Some houses have literally thousands of items and I have a process that includes taking inventory and creating a catalog with images.”

Sutherland commonly secures valuables including documents and will work to keep, sell or even ship items according to family members’ desires.

She also works to assist seniors who need to downsize their life. And, while her skills at planning, organizing and being detailed-oriented fold nicely into these types of tasks, she believes her background in spiritual psychology is what sets her apart.

“When you go from a 5,000 square home you’ve lived in for 40 years to 900 square feet, it’s not easy,” said Sutherland. “My role is much larger than organizing an estate sale, I’m there to help be an advocate for a client.”

Helping seniors to downsize often comprises of overseeing a move from start to finish. This includes examining floor plans and measuring furniture with the client to ascertain what will work in their new life all the way through helping them get set up in their new place.

“My clients and this work are very precious to me,” said Sutherland. “In fact, it’s the most honorable work I have ever done.”