by Margie Miller on 2014-11-05
Steve and Kathy Nichols of Colton-based Chino Valley Ranchers know that healthy bodies begin with healthy food. For over 50 years the third generation-owned business has produced various high-quality eggs: organic, cage-free, omega 3, fertile and soy free, and this local business is taking off. It’s why they’ve been named as a finalist in the Family Business category of this year’s Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards, hosted by Cal State San Bernardino’s Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE).
The business began out of a small garage in Arcadia, explained company president Steve Nichols. It was begun by his father, Charles B. Nichols, in the 1950s. Eventually the business moved into the organic and cage free egg production, an “avenue I took,” said Steve.
“There was demand and it was a needed item,” said Steve of organic eggs. Using an organic feed formula, the business was able to create its own organic egg.
Certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) since 1997, Chino Valley Ranchers’ Colton processing plant is where the eggs are washed, packaged and shipped to customers – most of them natural food stores and others private label eggs for larger customers. The company employs about 250 who work on the farms or in the processing plant in Colton, with an additional 35 employees working on the company’s organic farm in Texas.
The business is also unique in that it owns its own farms, the only organic feed mill in Southern California, and its processing plants. Operating as Pierce Egg Company, the company is currently building the first organic and cage-free breaking facility in Southern California, with plans to produce liquid and frozen egg products to retailers and wholesalers nationwide.
Company CFO Kathy said, “We were one of the first to come out with organic eggs in the late 90s and then organic-omega eggs followed. When our consumers approached us about producing a soy-free product for people with soy allergies we did, and it is now available in Whole Foods and Sprouts. We listen to our consumers and try to find out what they are looking for in a healthy diet and try to accommodate them. We feel that a healthy lifestyle is important and what we eat is a very important part of it and that is why we are in the organic industry.”
“It’s different from everyday life, being a farmer inside of a city,” said Steve. The company has been located in Colton for just two years, having relocated from Arcadia.
Kathy said, “We are proud of the fact that we are farmers who feed our communities and give people a choice in a variety of egg products that they can purchase. We love what we do and are happy to see our children following in our footsteps to help this business continue to grow… We are honored that we were selected for what we do and love.”
The Nichols’ children are also in the business: son Christopher is the vice president and daughter Mindy Figueroa works in accounts receivables.
The Nichols and their team are one of three finalists in this category, alongside Hesperia-based Advance Disposal Co. CEO Sheila Bath and Riverside-based Phenix Technology, Inc. leaders Ray Russell, Shaun Russell, Nicole Clesceri and Angel Sanchez, Jr.
In total, there are nine categories with three finalists for each category: Family Business, General Entrepreneur, Innovator Entrepreneur, Contract Manufacturing Entrepreneur, Manufacturing Entrepreneur, Service-Based Entrepreneur, Small or Emerging Enterprise, Social Entrepreneur, and Supporter of Entrepreneurship. One finalist from each category will receive the “Best of the Best” award. The event also includes the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Award winners will be announced Nov. 13 at the black-tie gala at the Riverside Convention Center. For the last 12 years, the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards has honored the top business leaders of the Inland region.