By Leslie Luna

Gabby Norby didn’t find much joy on or off of the field when she decided to move to South Carolina for college. Influenced by the discipline inherited in sports, she admits her plan was to go to school and play soccer.

“I ended up pursuing a career in the medical field. But I blew out my knee a few times, lost my scholarship, and life brought me back to Carlsbad,” Norby recounted. “I found a job at a golf course and I fell in love with the business side of golf. I quickly realized I just had a general love for business.”

Norby, much like her older brother, was born into the family business – San Dieguito Trophy – and quickly learned the principles of hard work. In the 90’s, her parents moved to San Diego from New Mexico after retiring from the Air Force. The Norbys settled in beautiful coastal North County where they bought SD Trophy with the money the family received during the military force reduction, and soon after they were in the trophy business. At that point, Norby was shy of turning three.

“I grew up in the business; It was my daycare,” said Norby laughing. “I loved it as a child. I spent valuable time and unforgettable moments with my grandfather, my dad, and my older brother. It was family time; I learned work ethic at a young age. Working for the family business taught us that life is not just to going to hand you things when you want it, you actually have to work for it.”

Despite her initial misgivings and doubts about working in the family business, Norby joined SD Trophy as a full-time employee in 2014. She quickly picked up new skills and became proficient with laser engraving, etching, and sublimation processes. SD Trophy’s website has garnered several positive reviews due to Norby’s outstanding customer service skills.

“My dad saw a spark in me. He’s pushed me to make risky business decisions; he’s been my mentor, and is teaching me finance next which is something I’m not looking forward to,” she chuckles. “I see myself taking over the business when my dad retires. We get to celebrate others in our industry and that’s what I love the most.”

Norby is also an active member of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. She first started attending the Chamber’s Sundowners and connecting with like-minded people. Soon enough she connected with a great group of business owners that she now gets to see weekly  through the NetForce group, a meeting she’s been attending for nearly two years.

So it’s no surprise Norby is one of six finalists in the Workplace MVP category for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Small Business Awards scheduled for Oct. 7.

Today, SD Trophy provides recognition awards, trophies, engraving services and signage for all of North County; in addition to many national accounts throughout the United States. The company recently won Small Retailer of the Year in their industry at the International Awards and personalization Association Expo. The company has three full-time employees and three little dogs who sit quietly at the shop.

SD Trophy is expanding and Gabby Norby will be at the helm of the expansion. The company  is looking to move into a brick-and-mortar shop in Camp Pendleton. They will begin to fill out the necessary paperwork to start the government bidding process.

“I want to expand our gross income for the year and be known in the state of California,” said Norby. “I hope I can pass the business onto my children, and they would continue to be a source of pride and inspiration for their own children.”