Zach and Josh Gottlieb are second-generation pawnbrokers who have taken the family business to new heights. After exploring other career paths, the brothers reunited in 2016 to open their own shop, Mid Valley Pawn in Turlock, CA.
Zach, one half of the Gottlieb duo, shared their story with the NPA for this issue.
Our parents opened their first pawn shop in Sonora, California in the early ‘90s, so we grew up in the business. However, Josh and I initially took different paths—each earning a couple of college degrees and exploring other careers. As a child, I was exposed to the art of negotiation and deal-making. My parents taught me how to identify value, understand people’s needs, and put together great deals. This early experience sparked my interest in becoming a sports agent, where I could combine my passion for sports with my skills in negotiation and relationship-building.
It wasn’t until 2016 that Josh and I reconnected and decided to combine our skills and experiences to open our own shop. That’s when we truly stepped into the family business, bringing a fresh perspective while building on the foundation our parents laid.
Running a pawn business has been a continuous learning experience, shaped by both formal education and hands-on practice. Attending industry conventions and networking with colleagues and experts has been incredibly valuable in staying current with trends and best practices. However, some of my most significant lessons have come from the mistakes I’ve made along the way. For instance, I’ve learned the hard way about the risks of overinvesting in certain assets or offering loans on items that didn’t meet expectations, whether due to authenticity issues or misjudgments in value.
These setbacks, though difficult, have ultimately taught me to be more discerning, cautious, and analytical in my decision-making. I’ve learned that failure can be an excellent teacher, especially when it pushes you to adapt and improve quickly.
We set our business apart by operating with a strong commitment to honesty, integrity, and fairness in everything we do. We believe in creating win-win outcomes for both our clients and our team, focusing on long-term relationships rather than short-term gains. Our approach is service-oriented; we consistently look for ways to go the extra mile to support both our customers and team members. Whether it’s through personalized solutions or simply being responsive and dependable, we strive to create a positive impact and build trust with everyone we work with.
I know many pawnbrokers measure success by specific financial milestones, like hitting a certain dollar amount in active loans. For us, reaching $1 million in active loans was definitely a significant milestone. But when I think about the point at which I truly considered our business a success, it was when we reached our fifth year in operation. By then, we’d not only overcome the typical challenges of starting a business, but we’d also built a solid foundation, established a loyal customer base, and developed a reputation in the community. To me, success isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about longevity, resilience, and growth over time.
December 2024 will mark our eighth anniversary, and looking back, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come. We started from scratch—no inventory, no loans—and built the business up step by step. While it took some time to gain traction, we’ve experienced consistent, year-over-year growth. Our showroom is now full of high-quality inventory, our loan base continues to expand, and we’ve earned top-tier reviews on Google, which set us apart from the competition. We’re now actively exploring opportunities to expand our footprint and continue building on this success.
Our legacy should be more than just business success. We want to be remembered as individuals who were deeply committed to our families and communities, as people who have always strived to be of service to others, and as an example of integrity and kindness, both in our professional and personal lives.
My favorite part of this journey has been building this business with my brother and best friend. It’s a privilege to work with someone you trust so deeply, and together, we’ve faced challenges, celebrated wins, and shared countless laughs. We don’t always see eye to eye on everything, but it’s those moments of disagreement that make our partnership stronger. We’re not just building a business; we’re creating memories and stories that will last a lifetime—and maybe one day, we’ll have enough for a book!
Editor’s Note: They may not have a book yet, but a feature in National Pawnbroker Magazine is a pretty good start, eh?
