Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing

 

SAN JOSE - Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing was invented in 1954 on a dude ranch in Santa Barbara.  It became so popular that manufacturing was briefly shifted off-site to San Jose, CA by Griffith Laboratories prior to selling to Clorox in 1972.

Watch History Channel Episode: click this link

Santa Barbara Independent article, November 25, 2015

Unite Strategies LLC
Professional Government Relations • Strategic Advocacy • Results

When The Stakes Are High, Experience Matters

SAN JOSE-

The right partner can make all the difference.

Just as every successful project depends on having the right tools, achieving policy and government affairs objectives requires the right strategic team.

At the June 9, 2026, San José City Council meeting, Agenda Item 3.4 was approved unanimously with an 11-0 vote.

This outcome was the result of weeks of planning, stakeholder engagement, relationship-building, and diligent advocacy. Reaching consensus among diverse interests is never easy, but through collaboration and persistence, a positive outcome was achieved for all parties involved.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Mayor Matt Mahan and all ten City Council offices for their leadership, thoughtful consideration, and commitment throughout the process.

When the stakes are high, experience matters.

Unite Strategies LLC
Professional Government Relations • Strategic Advocacy • Results

Unanimous Decision

SAN JOSE - Right sizing government oversight is key for the survival of all businesses. While it is necessary to insure the protection of our people, the choking of free enterprise with hundreds of pages of legislation that is sometimes duplicative equally deserves constant review and adjustment.

On Tuesday June 10, Unite Strategies and their business client involved in a highly regulated industry found compromise in doing just this.  The Mayor of San Jose and all ten councilmembers agreed in a unanimous vote to reduce annual fees saving the client six figures out of an annual $1 million dollars for regulatory activity that is already being conducted by the State of California.

Unite Strategies is committed to assisting clients in right sizing regulations.

Contact us:  UNITE STRATEGIES, LLC

Unanimous Decision

LOS GATOS - In late 2022, Unite Strategies took on a client that owned an existing quick service restaurant (QSR) in Los Gatos and was looking to add a drive-through window. This was especially necessary to the owners to keep their business open during a difficult time with the Covid-19 shut down beginning in 2020 and not have to un-employ their loyal staff. Historically drive through windows on average can account for 60% to 70% of their business. Customers like the convenience of drive-through windows not just with QSRs but they can be found at such retailers as Walgreens, Starbucks and bank atm machines.

A drive through window had not been given permission to open and operate in Los Gatos since the 1980s!  Unite Strategies worked hard for their client and after several discussions with the Commissioners of the Los Gatos Planning Department their client won their application to build and open a drive-though window with a unanimous vote.  Now families with children and folks with physical challenges can easily find a warm meal without leaving their car.

Unite Strategies is committed to assisting clients in right sizing regulations.

Contact us:  UNITE STRATEGIES, LLC

Unanimous Decision for Drive Thru

Picture provided by Freepix

SAN JOSE - With a unanimous vote inside City Hall, history and hope converged at the San Jose Planning Commission meeting. A decades-old dream took a major leap forward thanks to the efforts of Lobbying/Consulting firm Unite Strategies LLC, a new chapter begins for one of San Jose's most beloved, family-run establishments:  the addition of a drive-thru to their ionic fast food restaurant was officially approved.

This April 22nd victory isn't just about convenience ~ it's about recognition. It's about a minority-owned, woman-founded business, born from the grit and heart of a mother in 1982, now poised to serve the next generation with greater accessibility.

Now with drive-thru access, families with small children and individuals with mobility challenges will finally have the ease and flexibility they have long deserved such as  places like Starbucks, Walgreens and Bank of America atm machines have offered for decades.

Unite Strategies LLC led the charge navigating policy, advocating with purpose, and amplifying a powerful story of resilience and community contribution. The unanimous support from San Jose Planning Commission affirms what the San Jose community has long known:

•     This business matters
•     Its roots run deep
•     Its future just got brighter

UNITE Strategies - information

Digital Innovation

 

SAN JOSE - Sean Kali-rai and Eddie Truong of Unite Strategies, LLC are thrilled to announce a significant milestone for our client Orange Barrel Media, a pioneer in smart city technology, with in a unanimous 11-0 vote in favor. The San Jose City Council on Tuesday approved OBM’s digital signage initiative in downtown San Jose.

After successfully winning a city-issued Request for Proposals (RFP) twice, OBM can now move forward with implementing four digital signage locations in the downtown core on city owned property—marking a transformative step in enhancing the city's urban experience.

We extend our sincere gratitude to San Jose city staff, the Mayor and District 3 Council Office, and Interim Councilmember Carl Salas for their support, dedication and collaboration in bringing this project to fruition. Their hard work and commitment to the city's progress have been invaluable. Our team would also like to thank Alex Stettinsky-CEO San Jose Downtown Association, Leah Toeniskoetter-CEO San Jose Chamber of Commerce and Rob Lindo-VP Director Casino M8trix and Secretary San Jose Museum of Modern Art Board of Trustees for their support and commitment to this exciting project. We look forward to seeing OBM’s innovative signage enrich the vibrancy of downtown San Jose.

<<ABC 7NEWS ARTICLE LINK HERE>>

UNITE Strategies - information

Workforce Development

 

SAN JOSE - Unite Strategies LLC is proud to serve not only corporate clients but also to extend our expertise into educational services. In August, our sister division, Student Industry Connections LLC (SIC), founded by Eddie Truong and skillfully managed by Michael Quach, hosted yet another successful workforce development fair. This impactful event was held in collaboration with the City of San Jose's Human Resources Department and tailored for the senior class at San Jose’s Yerba Buena High School.

The focus of this year’s event was on engaging students in the principles of effective public policy. Through this initiative, students were guided through the following steps:

1. Identifying a pressing public interest issue, such as homelessness or affordable housing.

2. Brainstorming innovative policies or enhancing existing public policy.

3. Undertaking two meaningful civic actions to support their policy proposals:

   a. Consulting with a policy expert.

   b. Advocating for their policy by speaking at a public hearing.

4. Concluding the program with a year-end presentation to their teachers.

We are deeply grateful to the five City of San Jose departments that participated—the Information Technology Department, Environmental Services Department, Parks and Recreation Department, Transportation Department, and Human Resources Department. Their invaluable contributions of staff time and dedication played a pivotal role in inspiring the next generation of passionate and engaged leaders. 

The enthusiasm and participation of Yerba Buena High School students, as well as the praise from their teachers, affirm the program's success. SIC is excited to continue this meaningful collaboration and looks forward to making it an annual event. 

If you are interested in bringing a Workforce Development program to your high school, please reach out to Eddie Truong at eddie@dt-strategies.com.

UNITE Strategies - information

Los Gatos Is A Rocky Town

 

                           Al Freni/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Image

LOS GATOS - In 1975, Gary Dahl, an advertising guru, found himself between a rock and a hard place when inspiration struck in a California bar. As his friends lamented their pet peeves, Gary envisioned a pet that wouldn't bark up the wrong tree: the Pet Rock. This idea wasn't just solid; it was groundbreaking. Packaged in boxes with air holes and straw, these rocks became the pet sensation that didn’t need to be walked, fed, or groomed, and most importantly, they were rock-solid silent.

For a fleeting six months, Pet Rocks were the bedrock of holiday shopping, making Gary a millionaire. With his newfound wealth, he opened "Carry Nations," a bar in Los Gatos, CA that stood as a monument to his quirky venture. Despite facing lawsuits and threats from those who took his pet project for granite, Gary's sense of humor was never eroded.

The Pet Rock came with a 32-page manual that was a quarry of puns, teaching owners how to care for their sedimentary companions. Commands like "sit" and "stay" were a breeze, but "roll over" might have required a gentle nudge. Gary proved that with a little creativity, you could not only move mountains but sell them too, one rock at a time. The original retail price was $3.95 selling 5 million in the first 6 months earning Dahl $5 million dollars.
ROCK ON!

Fun Fact Shared By UNITE Strategies