Gary Grossman currently has quite a bit on his plate. His Pismo Beach-based Coastal Community Builders has more than 20 projects underway up and down the central coast, including the 131 acre San Luis Ranch. That, and his mom lives three doors down.
Grossman first came to San Luis Obispo as a kid, and all he noticed were cows, chickens and open space. And, he thought, “No”. In 1988 at the ripe age of 25 he moved to the central coast and can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Recently the 50-year-old developer looked up from the five books he’s currently reading to sit down, have a chat and answer our questions.
What personal quality do you like most?
Integrity. I’m a guy who believes in what I say. I do what I say. It means a lot to me. Our society is based on people making commitments to each other and when one side doesn’t uphold their commitment then things get out of place. I think that when people have integrity they uphold their commitment. I try to look at what’s best for everybody. The other side with it is integrity to me means win-win. It’s all together. In negotiations and in business I’m not one of those guys that for me to win someone has to lose. It’s the opposite, for me to win it’s got to be a win-win. That’s why integrity, to me, means all that.
Which personal quality are you working on?
Balance. Recently I have a lot of work, which I love. My father passed away in November and my mother lives three houses up, I’m very close with my family. My brother was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January. It’s been difficult. I want to have my personal fulfillment of business, I have to have fulfillment with my family. I’ve got a long term relationship and loads of friends and hobbies. Balancing out everything this year has been more difficult than other years.
Which living person do you most admire?
I am a big fan of Bill Bryson. “A Short History of Nearly Everything” is a brilliant book. I would love to meet the guy.
What do you most admire in other people?
I like people who are charismatic and spirited. I’m going for two qualities. When you have charisma and you’ve got levity then you can make wise and spectacular movements. You can move our values and what we want forward, but not being unrealistic. I think when you get too far to the right or too far to the left usually it backfires.
What potential do you see in San Luis?
I see spectacular potential. I love San Luis Obispo for what it is and what it has been, but mostly I think that a lot of people like it to be underestimated, they don’t want everybody to know how spectacular it is. You think about the wine tasting, you think about the restaurants, you think about the creek, and the mission and the plaza. It’s beautiful.
I used to visit San Luis Obispo when I was a child. My dad was actually friends with Alex Madonna, so as a kid we used to come up and visit but I remember thinking my goodness I’ll never live here, there are cows and chickens and there is hardly anyone around. Yet, when I found myself living here later in my life I couldn’t move. I can’t move. Farmers’ Market, walking down there every Thursday, there is something amazing about the smells of the food and the people walking about, the produce and the bands on the corner. It is uniquely an American experience.
When you have extra time, how do you fill it?
I read a lot. I read five books at a time. Even with all I’m doing I usually knock through a book a week. I’m very, very interested in history so I read a lot of history, and I like non-fiction. Even when I’m reading fiction, it’s non-fiction fiction.
What is your perfect Sunday?
Sleep in, that’s a secret, I’ll sleep in on Sunday. Zorro’s breakfast, drive to Pozo for a beer, head over to Taco Temple for lunch, and then come back and watch Game of Thrones.