Several businesses in Greeley have not only served the community for decades but have done so with family members working together. While challenges can arise when working with family, they can also be highly rewarding! Get acquainted with these local stories to discover how working with family is not only a gift to our community, but also fosters respect, support, mentorship, and excellent service for generations to come.
Sears Real Estate
Steve joined Sears Real Estate in 1996 and is the managing broker and full-time Realtor. Sears has been in Greeley for 50 years and prides itself in having great agents that give back to our community. Steve’s son, Seth, started working with The Baker Team at Sears Real Estate in April 2022. Steve said it’s been a joy working with his son. “He has proven to be a quick study and hard worker,” said Steve. “He understands our community and also sees the value of our philanthropic and community involvement mindset at Sears.”
Steve believes that bringing Seth on board helped enable The Baker Team to do more things and engage with a different generation of buyers and sellers. As a proud dad, Steve said it’s been satisfying to see Seth quickly grasp the business and serve clients well. The one challenge Steve joked about is that Seth has to see his dad way more than he’s used to.
Steve believes that working with family is rewarding! “You get to see their successes and help them through the tough times with guidance and counseling – just like a parent always does,” said Steve. “At the end of the day you’re still family and you love family no matter what!”
Ghent Chevrolet
The Ghent family has proudly served Northern Colorado for over six decades. In the summer of 1976, current owner Bob Ghent began working in the car wash at his father's dealership. During college breaks, he handled sales and managed leasing, finance, insurance, and sales. In 1989, Bob purchased Ghent Chevrolet in Greeley. In 1990 he built a new facility in west Greeley, then added Cadillac to the franchise in 1999.
As a third-generation dealer, it's not just the cars that motivate Bob. He is passionate about the community and is involved in civic activities in northern Colorado. “As a business owner and local citizen, it is my responsibility to give back to the community in which I live,” said Bob. Bob has served the community in numerous capacities, including as a member of the Greeley Rotary Club, Millbank Society for the Boys and Girls Club, a business community division captain for the North Colorado Medical Center Foundation’s Montfort Children’s Clinic, and a supporter of the Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity.
Bob is proud of his family - his wife Ann, son Erick, and daughter Sara. Erick is currently the Chevrolet Manger and is following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father by entering the automobile business in Northern Colorado. He will be a fourth-generation dealer. “It’s a pleasure for me to work alongside my son,” said Bob.
Austin & Austin
An Austin family member has been involved with Austin & Austin Real Estate since its inception over 100 years ago. In 1903, E.R. and Fred Austin opened Austin & Austin, offering real estate and auction services in Colorado, and were in the national spotlight when they sold the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show in Denver in 1913!
E.R. Austin’s stepson, Bruce Willard, went to work for the company after his Air Force service in 1987. Bruce’s daughter, Natalie, began as the office manager eight years ago and is now becoming a licensed broker. Natalie said that learning about the real estate industry from her dad has been one of the most fulfilling and beneficial things to happen in her life. “Learning from someone who has had knowledge passed to them generationally has been amazing in terms of holding on to the roots of how the real estate industry has evolved into what it is today,” said Natalie.
Natalie admits that working with family is rewarding, but also has its challenges. “When I walk through the doors at the office, I'm not only Natalie the broker, but I'm Natalie the daughter,” said Natalie. “The many hats you wear while working with family can be more than a job sometimes, but it's the best…knowing this is what your family has experience doing, and you are helping carry on some sort of business tradition – it truly is extremely rewarding.”
Kenny’s Steak House and The G.O.A.T. Sports Bar
Matthew and Leona Larson, along with Dick Monfort, own Kenny’s Steak House, originally opened in 1995 under the name Stampede Steak Ranch. In 2001, after some major renovations, the name was changed to Kenny’s Steak House in honor of Dick’s father Kenny Monfort, who had recently passed away. Matthew and Leona’s sons Alex and Andrew grew up in the restaurant industry. While in high school and college, you could find the brothers at Kenny’s washing dishes, bartending, and managing.
Matthew gives much praise to his wife Leona. Although Leona was an eighth-grade math teacher for 30 years while Matthew ran the restaurants, she was an active supporter and helped with as much as she could with catering, cleaning, and advice. “You always need a strong partner to get through the challenges of owning a business,” said Matthew.
Matthew and Alex are partners on their newest venture, The G.O.A.T. Sports Bar, which opened in February of 2021. Alex’s wife, Daisy oversees social media marketing and reputation management at both Kenny’s and The G.O.A.T. Sports Bar, while Andrew is a manager at The G.O.A.T. Matthew feels blessed to be able to work alongside his family on a daily basis where they support each other. When challenges occur, and they have been plentiful in the past few years, it is comforting to have the support of each other,” said Matthew. The Larson family considers their employees an extension of family - they call it their restaurant family, and they aspire to build a culture where they can feel proud of what they do for the community.
Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies
Jessica Stevenson has worked with her mom, Linda Davis, for 18 years at the Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies (OCR). OCR encompasses more than 45 specialists, serving patients at six medical campuses, and empowers patients to keep their bodies in pace with their passions. Serving the residents of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and beyond since 1969, OCR has offices in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Longmont, Lafayette, and Westminster. OCR will break ground on its new medical campus in Greeley in December 2022.
Linda, now a Medical Records Clerk, has worked at OCR in various roles for 50 years. Jessica’s first job with OCR was as a scanner for the business office. It was because of her mom that she was able to start working at OCR at a young age. “It was an after-school job when I was in high school,” said Jessica. “The position was offered only to employee’s dependents.” Jessica loves being able to work with her mom. “I’m really close to my family, so it’s nice I can see her on a daily basis, especially since she’s bad at checking her text messages,” Jessica said jokingly. Linda counters that it’s a joy to talk to Jessica face to face every day, instead of over the phone. With Linda’s long history of employment at OCR, Jessica recalls growing up and watching her mom work there. She feels that OCR has been a part of her entire life. “OCR is basically a second home to me,” Jessica said.
West Point Carpet One
West Point Carpet One was established in 1998 and supplies and installs custom interior finishes, and serves custom builders, remodelers, and retail clients across the front range. With over 40 years of experience, Rocky Gentry, the original owner, built a following which has paved the way for the success of the company. Rocky’s son, Ty Gentry, joined the team just after completing his teaching degree at the University of Northern Colorado in 2004. He became co-owner in 2012 and purchased the company completely in November of 2021.
Ty said that having a mutual aim for the company has always kept respect between him and his dad. “We always want what is best for the clients, which gives us a common goal to strive for,” said Ty. “I know many father/son businesses don’t have that luxury, but it has been nothing short of a privilege to work alongside my dad for so long!” A handful of other family members also work at West Point Carpet One and feel the support of one another. “Your family members have your best interest in mind and will do what they can to help at all times,” said Ty!
The West Point Carpet One family feels blessed to be a part of this community. “Even though Greeley is growing, I feel that the small-town vibe is still alive and well,” said Ty. “Our company is doing well, and it is all thanks to a community who wants to ‘buy small’ and support the local family-owned businesses.”
Hoshiko Farms
The Hoshiko Family has been an integral part of Greeley and Weld County for over a century. They epitomize the fulfillment of the American Dream and are grateful for their heritage and the opportunities they've had in the United States. Paul (Katsuma) and his wife Tsugeya Hoshiko immigrated from Kumamoto, Japan to Weld County in 1914. They had six children and initially worked for farmers as field workers, but eventually purchased a small tract of land east of Kersey to farm on their own.
During the mid-1950s, after serving in the U.S. Army, their youngest son Paul Jr., took over the family farm and expanded it to more acres throughout the Greeley area. Paul Jr.'s son, Dennis, has been the general manager of Hoshiko Farms since he returned home from college in the late 1970s. He and his parents, Paul and Jean worked closely together to expand and improve their agricultural operations to include a wholesale produce company that supplied onions to customers throughout the nation.
Since Dennis’ father and mother have both passed away, he has scaled back his businesses and now leases most of his land to neighboring farmers. "My grandparents and parents endured a lot of trials and adversity throughout their lives for the benefit of their children and grandchildren,” said Dennis. “Few places in the world afford families, especially immigrants, the ability to stay and work together as ours has for several generations, and for that, the Hoshikos are very grateful."
Dennis’ son, Hunter, who has worked with Dennis, is a fourth-generation Weld County resident, holds a business degree, and is a local entrepreneur involved in land use and water development. The Hoshiko’s original values of taking chances and looking for new opportunities are instilled in Hunter, and he carries that throughout his life. “I owe everything to my great-grandfather, grandfather, and dad,” Hunter said. His great-grandfather came to the U.S. at age 16 looking for a better life for himself and his future family. Hunter credits that first step, as it pioneered how the Hoshiko family operates - never settle, take chances, and always look for better opportunities.