Howes Weiler & Associates provides planning services for a wide variety of projects including residential, industrial, office commercial and mixed use. They work on all types of development proposals from obtaining permits for the expansion of an existing building to large-scale master planned communities. For large-scale projects the company coordinates the work of a wide variety of consultants such as architects, engineers, landscape architects and biologists, addressing the needs of the developer as well as meeting the goals of the local jurisdiction. Essentially, the company guides a property owner or developer through the complex project approval process.
Executives' names: Mike Howes and Stan Weiler
Title: Principals
Company name: Howes Weiler & Associates
Address: 2382 Faraday Avenue Suite 250-22 Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 929-2288
Web site: Under construction
Founded: April 2005
Prior experience: 45 years of combined experience working for municipal and regional planning departments and a private planning consulting firm prior to establishing Howes Weiler & Associates
Source of starting capital: We each contributed funds from our personal savings to get the company started
Average hours worked weekly: 40-50
Residence: Mike, Carlsbad; Stan – Escondido
Family: Mike – Wife Christy and 11 year old son Dylan; Stan, Wife Lea and 12 year old daughter Lauren
Hobbies: Mike – surfing, kayaking, mountain biking, camping; Stan, coaching soccer, camping, off-roading
What got you into this business? Mike – Back in the early 1970's when I was traveling and surfing in South & Central America I decided that I wanted to get involved in planning in a small beach town in Southern California. I came here in 1980 and have been involved in planning Carlsbad ever since. Stan, While in college I was an intern at the city of Carlsbad under the guidance of Mike Howes. I enjoyed the work and decided to pursue planning as a career.
What makes your business a standout? Our dedication to representing good planning, our high integrity and providing the best possible service to our clients.
Drawbacks to your line of business: Dealing with constantly changing and sometimes conflicting City, State and Federal regulations.
Why is your company located in Carlsbad? Much of our work is in Carlsbad and we have been working in Carlsbad for most of our careers although we are now working in a number of the other jurisdictions in North County
How do you plan to grow? We have only been in business for six months, but have exceeded our one-year goals. We have scheduled our first company retreat to discuss the prospect of expanding the company.
Toughest career decision: Leaving the City of Carlsbad's Planning Department
Ongoing challenges: Juggling the needs of the clients with the goals of the local jurisdiction.
Best way to stay competitive: Stay aware of changing trends, get involved with the communities you work in and treat everyone with respect.
In five years, where would you like your business to be? We would like to have good people working for us so we can expand our services and the company's bottom line. We will never retire, but we would like to be able to spend more time with our families, while giving some smart younger people a chance to live in and excel in North County.
What does your company contribute to the Carlsbad community? We will only represent projects which we believe implement good planning principals and will contribute to the quality of life in Carlsbad.
What are your guiding principles? Deal honestly with everyone, maintain a high level of integrity and treat everyone with respect no matter what their position. Represent good planning and enjoy life as much as possible.
What's one thing other people do not know about you? Mike – I had more job responsibility when I was 18 than I do now. From the age of 18 to 25, I was an ocean lifeguard during the summers. If I was careless or did not pay attention someone could die.
What would you change if you could do it all over again? Mike & Stan – We would probably have stayed at our planning positions at the City. Their retirement program would have made for a very comfortable living while we started up a company a few years from now. However, we have no regrets and do not look back.
Choice for a second career: Mike – Kayak guide to remote parts of the world. Stan, Premier off-road racer with sponsors.
People you look up to and why: Mike – My father, he got to live the Indiana Jones life when he was younger. He is 85 and still rows out several miles into the bay to watch the sunrise in Florida. Also, Lee Ayers, who has more experience, knowledge and energy than just about anyone else I have met in this field as well as the Carlsbad City Council for their continuity and ability to make the right decisions that have helped to create the city we live in.
Stan, My father-in-law, Jim Manues. He overcame many obstacles growing up in rural Arizona and persevered through tremendous odds to become an honored Navy Seal, a public servant, an outstanding businessman, a compassionate humanitarian and a wonderful father and grandfather.
Favorite movie: Mike – Endless Summer. It made me realize that there is a big world to explore and I could always settle down and get a career after I did some traveling. Stan, There are too many to choose, but those that demonstrate a true desire to be the best patriot, team, or man. My idea of a great movie is one that I could sit for another three hours in an uncomfortable theater seat and watch it all over again.
Favorite quote: "When it’s time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived" – Thoreau
Advice for new entrepreneurs: If you believe in yourself and have the ability, just go for it. If your enterprise fails, you can always try again or get a job working for another company. You will never know until you try.
Executives' names: Mike Howes and Stan Weiler
Title: Principals
Company name: Howes Weiler & Associates
Address: 2382 Faraday Avenue Suite 250-22 Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 929-2288
Web site: Under construction
Founded: April 2005
Prior experience: 45 years of combined experience working for municipal and regional planning departments and a private planning consulting firm prior to establishing Howes Weiler & Associates
Source of starting capital: We each contributed funds from our personal savings to get the company started
Average hours worked weekly: 40-50
Residence: Mike, Carlsbad; Stan – Escondido
Family: Mike – Wife Christy and 11 year old son Dylan; Stan, Wife Lea and 12 year old daughter Lauren
Hobbies: Mike – surfing, kayaking, mountain biking, camping; Stan, coaching soccer, camping, off-roading
What got you into this business? Mike – Back in the early 1970's when I was traveling and surfing in South & Central America I decided that I wanted to get involved in planning in a small beach town in Southern California. I came here in 1980 and have been involved in planning Carlsbad ever since. Stan, While in college I was an intern at the city of Carlsbad under the guidance of Mike Howes. I enjoyed the work and decided to pursue planning as a career.
What makes your business a standout? Our dedication to representing good planning, our high integrity and providing the best possible service to our clients.
Drawbacks to your line of business: Dealing with constantly changing and sometimes conflicting City, State and Federal regulations.
Why is your company located in Carlsbad? Much of our work is in Carlsbad and we have been working in Carlsbad for most of our careers although we are now working in a number of the other jurisdictions in North County
How do you plan to grow? We have only been in business for six months, but have exceeded our one-year goals. We have scheduled our first company retreat to discuss the prospect of expanding the company.
Toughest career decision: Leaving the City of Carlsbad's Planning Department
Ongoing challenges: Juggling the needs of the clients with the goals of the local jurisdiction.
Best way to stay competitive: Stay aware of changing trends, get involved with the communities you work in and treat everyone with respect.
In five years, where would you like your business to be? We would like to have good people working for us so we can expand our services and the company's bottom line. We will never retire, but we would like to be able to spend more time with our families, while giving some smart younger people a chance to live in and excel in North County.
What does your company contribute to the Carlsbad community? We will only represent projects which we believe implement good planning principals and will contribute to the quality of life in Carlsbad.
What are your guiding principles? Deal honestly with everyone, maintain a high level of integrity and treat everyone with respect no matter what their position. Represent good planning and enjoy life as much as possible.
What's one thing other people do not know about you? Mike – I had more job responsibility when I was 18 than I do now. From the age of 18 to 25, I was an ocean lifeguard during the summers. If I was careless or did not pay attention someone could die.
What would you change if you could do it all over again? Mike & Stan – We would probably have stayed at our planning positions at the City. Their retirement program would have made for a very comfortable living while we started up a company a few years from now. However, we have no regrets and do not look back.
Choice for a second career: Mike – Kayak guide to remote parts of the world. Stan, Premier off-road racer with sponsors.
People you look up to and why: Mike – My father, he got to live the Indiana Jones life when he was younger. He is 85 and still rows out several miles into the bay to watch the sunrise in Florida. Also, Lee Ayers, who has more experience, knowledge and energy than just about anyone else I have met in this field as well as the Carlsbad City Council for their continuity and ability to make the right decisions that have helped to create the city we live in.
Stan, My father-in-law, Jim Manues. He overcame many obstacles growing up in rural Arizona and persevered through tremendous odds to become an honored Navy Seal, a public servant, an outstanding businessman, a compassionate humanitarian and a wonderful father and grandfather.
Favorite movie: Mike – Endless Summer. It made me realize that there is a big world to explore and I could always settle down and get a career after I did some traveling. Stan, There are too many to choose, but those that demonstrate a true desire to be the best patriot, team, or man. My idea of a great movie is one that I could sit for another three hours in an uncomfortable theater seat and watch it all over again.
Favorite quote: "When it’s time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived" – Thoreau
Advice for new entrepreneurs: If you believe in yourself and have the ability, just go for it. If your enterprise fails, you can always try again or get a job working for another company. You will never know until you try.