Christal Barquero: An Unexpected Journey
By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter
ROHNERT PARK — When Christal Barquero filled a position as a secretary for an Oakland construction firm, she figured it would just be another job, but it actually led to a lifelong career. “I’m one of those people who never knew what they wanted to be when they grew up,” she recounts. “I worked as a bank teller for a while and also did a stint working for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. When I got hired as a secretary for a contracting firm, I didn’t know anything about construction, but I was fascinated by it. Over time, I got a sense of how things worked, started asking questions and really immersed myself in the industry. Eventually, I took on a bigger role at the firm and became a project manager.”
While she’d traveled a long way up the proverbial ladder at the firm, Christal’s professional journey was far from over. “One of my responsibilities was doing accounting and payroll. In doing this work, I found there were a lot of subcontractors who were great at their craft but struggled with the administrative requirements. So, I started assisting our subcontractors with their payroll and compliance needs. That turned into a side business, and things really took off from there. In 2019, the owner of SLB Business Management was getting ready to retire, so I bought the company and merged it with mine. Today, we offer an all-encompassing range of business management and administration services.”
As owner of SLB Business Management – PW Compliance, Christal says her favorite part of her job is helping contractors get paid. “Just the other day, I received an email from a contractor about an invoice that had been outstanding for months. I sent some correspondence on their behalf and they received payment soon after. These contractors work really hard, so helping them get paid and closing out their projects on a positive note is very rewarding for me.”
A resident of Rohnert Park (where she lives with her husband, Gavin, and their two daughters), Christal spends her time outside of work on a variety of pastimes. “We have kind of a mini farm with four dogs, two birds and a horse, so I enjoy horseback riding and spending time with the animals,” she details. “I’m also plugged in with Girl Scouts and PTA. As a mother of two daughters, I’m passionate about working with organizations that empower young girls in our community.” Additionally, Christal enjoys unearthing the North Bay Area’s best-kept secrets. “I head up a group called Adventures and Hidden Treasures. For each meeting, we pick a local area or town and explore it to find all the little treasures it has to offer.”
In regard to a professional philosophy, Christal believes the work she does, while important, is part of something even greater. “My company’s job is to help contractors maintain compliance and submit all the documentation needed for them to get paid. However, I believe the efforts we put forth go toward the greater mission of serving our community. Contractors build our cities and towns, so by assisting them, we’re participating in that process. Whether it’s a family getting to move into a new home or a child getting to attend a new school, we share in that accomplishment, which is something I’m very proud of.”
When asked what she’d do if she were to retire tomorrow, Christal says she would continue to serve her community on a volunteer basis. “Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever retire—I enjoy service and being of value to my clients. But if I did, I would probably do a lot of volunteer work and continue supporting my community in other ways. I would most likely get involved in mentorship. The mentors we have as we’re growing in business are so valuable, so it would be really rewarding to serve others in that way.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: My dad is from Japan and my mom is from Germany, so I’ve always wanted to visit both of those countries.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I worked at Burger King. I recommend any teenager to work at a fast food restaurant—it’s a great way to get started and be exposed to the world of work.
Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Flavor Bistro in Sebastopol.
Q: Do you collect anything?
A: I collect stamps. My grandfather was a stamp collector, and after he passed away, I started collecting them as a way to remember him.
Q: What’s your favorite book?
A: I have two favorites: “The Noticer” by Andy Andrews and “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman.
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