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.
Meet the California Natives:
