News
ENLARGE
Brothers Doug (left) and Stuart Sowell have owned Ernie's Van and Storage in Grass Valley for the past 35 years. The business started out in Berkeley in 1935 with the brothers learning it from their father as they grew up.
The impression Ernie Sowell made upon his children was so strong, they gave their Nevada County business the same name he used in the Bay Area.
Ernie's Van and Storage — now of Grass Valley — started out in Berkeley in 1935, with Stuart Sowell, 61, and Doug Sowell, 57, learning the business from their father as they grew up.
The family moved back and forth between Nevada County and the San Francisco Bay Area many times through the years. Stuart graduated from Nevada Union High School and Doug from Skyline High in Oakland, but they both worked hard in their father's moving and storage business every summer.
“Dad was old school,” Doug said. “He said you make it on your own, or you don't.
“There were seven boys and two girls in the family, and as soon as you were old enough, you were working,” Doug said. “We hated it as kids, but we knew later it was a good thing.”
“”We were motivated,” Stuart added. “He taught us to dive in and do the work and do it until it's done. Sometimes, he outworked us.”
“He taught us to be honest with our customers,” Doug said. “It paid off for us. Normally, moving companies don't have a good reputation, but we do.”
Second generation
The Sowell brothers started out in 1975 with a 1952 Studebaker truck their father gave them.
“We carried around jugs of water so we could fill the radiator,” Stuart said.
“For years, we never took a weekend off,” Doug said.
“There were times with no paychecks and no vacations,” Stuart added.
For the first 13 years, the brothers did almost everything, while Doug's wife, Karen Sowell, kept the books.
Two siblings working together can mean trouble, and the brothers ran into it early in the partnership.
“When were younger, we had our days throwing things at each other and ready to duke it out,” Stuart said. “Now, we understand how each other thinks.
“If we have a disagreement, whoever feels the strongest, we go with it,” Stuart said. “If it doesn't work out, we back up. Instead of pointing the finger, we pull back and fix it.”
About 10 years ago, Doug had “a health issue,” and was told by his doctor to retire.
But he didn't have to when the brothers decided to split the firm's top job, with Doug working one week and Stuart the next. Every Wednesday, they have a transitional meeting day, with the other brother taking over on Thursday for the next week.
Third generation
A good office staff and strong workers in the warehouse are assets the business couldn't do without, the brother said.
Nephew Jon Reshatoff has been brought into the fold with increasing responsibilities. To him, it only seemed natural.
“I wasn't attracted to it — I was born into it,” Reshatoff said. “I just want to see it continue. Nevada County doesn't have many family companies.”
Keeping the family enterprise going the past few years had been tough.
The firm is down to 22 employees, about half the staff just two years ago.
“People aren't moving, or they are renting their own trucks” to move, Doug said.
These days, their reputation and work moving goods for the military keep the doors open, he added.
The brothers are also adamant about drug testing their employees after years of dealing with some who did not want to leave their vices at home. They had to hire an attorney to correctly set up a random testing program, and it wasn't cheap.
“It's been difficult, but it's worked out very well,” Doug said.
“A fully-loaded truck can be a lethal weapon,” Stuart said. “We don't want anybody on drugs driving them.”
Two long-standing employees also keep things going, the brothers said. Robert Cassaro has been there 17 years and knows the ropes.
Daniel Webb worked for the Sowells for several years before driving trucks in his own business. Now, he's back, and he's glad for it.
“They have a great company,” Webb said. “They're good to their customers and good to their employees.”
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4237.
Ernie's Van and Storage — now of Grass Valley — started out in Berkeley in 1935, with Stuart Sowell, 61, and Doug Sowell, 57, learning the business from their father as they grew up.
The family moved back and forth between Nevada County and the San Francisco Bay Area many times through the years. Stuart graduated from Nevada Union High School and Doug from Skyline High in Oakland, but they both worked hard in their father's moving and storage business every summer.
“Dad was old school,” Doug said. “He said you make it on your own, or you don't.
“There were seven boys and two girls in the family, and as soon as you were old enough, you were working,” Doug said. “We hated it as kids, but we knew later it was a good thing.”
“”We were motivated,” Stuart added. “He taught us to dive in and do the work and do it until it's done. Sometimes, he outworked us.”
“He taught us to be honest with our customers,” Doug said. “It paid off for us. Normally, moving companies don't have a good reputation, but we do.”
Second generation
The Sowell brothers started out in 1975 with a 1952 Studebaker truck their father gave them.
“We carried around jugs of water so we could fill the radiator,” Stuart said.
“For years, we never took a weekend off,” Doug said.
“There were times with no paychecks and no vacations,” Stuart added.
For the first 13 years, the brothers did almost everything, while Doug's wife, Karen Sowell, kept the books.
Two siblings working together can mean trouble, and the brothers ran into it early in the partnership.
“When were younger, we had our days throwing things at each other and ready to duke it out,” Stuart said. “Now, we understand how each other thinks.
“If we have a disagreement, whoever feels the strongest, we go with it,” Stuart said. “If it doesn't work out, we back up. Instead of pointing the finger, we pull back and fix it.”
About 10 years ago, Doug had “a health issue,” and was told by his doctor to retire.
But he didn't have to when the brothers decided to split the firm's top job, with Doug working one week and Stuart the next. Every Wednesday, they have a transitional meeting day, with the other brother taking over on Thursday for the next week.
Third generation
A good office staff and strong workers in the warehouse are assets the business couldn't do without, the brother said.
Nephew Jon Reshatoff has been brought into the fold with increasing responsibilities. To him, it only seemed natural.
“I wasn't attracted to it — I was born into it,” Reshatoff said. “I just want to see it continue. Nevada County doesn't have many family companies.”
Keeping the family enterprise going the past few years had been tough.
The firm is down to 22 employees, about half the staff just two years ago.
“People aren't moving, or they are renting their own trucks” to move, Doug said.
These days, their reputation and work moving goods for the military keep the doors open, he added.
The brothers are also adamant about drug testing their employees after years of dealing with some who did not want to leave their vices at home. They had to hire an attorney to correctly set up a random testing program, and it wasn't cheap.
“It's been difficult, but it's worked out very well,” Doug said.
“A fully-loaded truck can be a lethal weapon,” Stuart said. “We don't want anybody on drugs driving them.”
Two long-standing employees also keep things going, the brothers said. Robert Cassaro has been there 17 years and knows the ropes.
Daniel Webb worked for the Sowells for several years before driving trucks in his own business. Now, he's back, and he's glad for it.
“They have a great company,” Webb said. “They're good to their customers and good to their employees.”
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4237.
