Business Beat: A wealth of advice at this firm

By DAVID W. HILL
dhill@modbee.com

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The current economic downturn is a nightmare for lots of people, whether they are saving for retirement, trying to protect their nest eggs or just struggling to pay the bills. Trying to negotiate financial challenges can be overwhelming for most folks, but they don't have to go it alone. That's where Valley Wealth Inc. of Modesto comes in.

Financial advisers Jeff Burrow and Jason Gordo founded the company about six months ago after several years with established Wall Street investment firms. The Central Valley natives, who opened an office at 1101 Sylvan Ave., Suite B-6, wanted the chance to implement their own strategies for building and protecting client's money.

Burrow, a certified financial planner, and Gordo, a retirement planning specialist, try to identify the newest investment trends so their clients are ahead of the pack when deciding where to put their money. As independent advisers, they have the freedom to recommend for all kinds of investment options. Customizing plans for each client allows Burrow and Gordo go in new and different directions in trying to help people achieve their goals.

By stressing one-on-one service, providing access to the latest investment tools and offering fresh perspectives on investing, Burrow and Gordon are confident they can help folks improve their bottom lines. The bottom line, for Valley Wealth, is giving honest assessments about where clients are financially and what they can do about it.

As for launching a new business in the midst of a serious economic slump, Burrow and Gordo think it provides them with lots of opportunities to offer financial guidance to people who really need it, including advice on mortgages and car loans. When it comes to personal finance, demystifying it is a dream come true for most of us.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment. For more information, call 579-5900 or go to www.valleywealth.com.

Just like the founders of Valley Wealth, attorney Brian Haddix of Modesto recently decided it was time to launch his own law firm. After a stint at one of the valley's major practices, he started Haddix Law Firm.

An Army veteran, serving four years on active duty and four in the Reserves, Haddix wanted to be on his own so he could take on the cases and clients he believes in. A University of California at Davis and McGeorge School of Law graduate, Haddix specializes in contract and business litigation. He also handles bankruptcies and creditor-debtor issues.

He thinks it's important to demystify his field, too, so he's focusing a lot of his energy on trying to make the legal system and all its processes more understandable and less intimidating for people -- good luck. That's something that will require a soldier's dedication. For more information, call 338-8925 or go to www.haddixlawfirm.com.

In case you missed it, Tahoe Joe's in Modesto is up and running at lunch. The restaurant at 3801 Pelandale Ave., near Costco in the NorthPointe Shopping Center, recently added lunch items to its early afternoon happy hour appetizers and traditional dinner grub.

The lunch menu features "Joe's Bowls," a lineup of salads that includes wood-grilled chicken and railroad camp shrimp bowls. There also are "Campfire Burgers & Sandwiches," from a steak sandwich to a peppercorn bleu cheese burger. For those wanting something more for lunch, there are steaks, ribs, pasta dishes and more to choose from.

Lunch is now served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Sunday. For more information, call 545-6885. The Modesto outlet is one of eight that's adding lunch. There are 10 Tahoe Joe's. If lunch is a hit with diners, the troubled chain may be more appetizing to potential buyers -- or maybe it won't need one.

Have an item for Business Beat? Send it to David W. Hill, Business Editor, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; or dhill@modbee.com.