The California Native

In 1983, while climbing Ayer’s Rock in the Australian outback, Lee Klein contemplated his life thus far. Lee, a native-born Californian and an MBA, had spent two decades as a corporate manager and college professor. Prior to that he traveled quite a bit, first with the U.S. Navy, then roaming around the world on his own—an adventure which included living in the temples of India and Nepal, hitchhiking across the deserts of Iraq and Iran, and working passage on a banana boat in the Persian Gulf.

As he ascended the sandstone monolith, he began to question the American Dream. Was he really happy with his career? He decided that if you are not having fun, then you are doing the wrong thing. Money is not the real measure of success—enjoying what you are doing is. And if at the same time you can bring enjoyment to other people, then you are truly successful.

Shortly after returning home, he put the corporate and campus worlds behind him and founded The California Native. That was back in 1983, more than a third of a century ago, but we never lost sight of the goals which Lee set at the beginning—to have fun and bring enjoyment to our clients while always providing excellent service at reasonable prices.