Living Springs - Post Falls

Gary and Jill Trefz met in a biology class at Loma Linda University in California. Jill went on to work as a registered nurse for more than 10 years while Gary worked as a physical therapist. They both developed a love for the elderly.

After owning and operating a real estate business, they began purchasing, refurbishing, renting and selling properties, eventually purchasing an assisted-living facility in Santa Rosa, Calif. They operated Maralie Convalescent Hospital for eight years before selling it in 1988.

The couple moved to Idaho in 1991 and expanded their business interest and investments into the development and operation of a company funding equity-based real estate loans. In 2002, they learned of a 14-bed assisted-living facility in Post Falls and turned to the Idaho Small Business Development Center for assistance in making the right business decision and obtaining the best loan.

Their work with the Idaho SBDC helped them do financial projections, using vacancy factors and inflation, to determine if the business would be profitable enough to pursue. Today the business is thriving with a long waiting list of potential residents. In April 2005 they again worked with the Idaho SBDC to purchase Veradale Mini Storage and U-Haul in Spokane, Wash. The Idaho SBDC helped them devise a business plan to add new units and secure appropriate funding.

They are now working with the Idaho SBDC on a new project to build and manage additional assisted-living facilities in Post Falls. The bank has given them the go-ahead to begin the project that will consist of 30-60 beds in phase one and employ up to 18 full-time care givers.

The Trefz’s have owned their own businesses for years, but said their operating and management skills have significantly improved since they began working with the Idaho SBDC.

SBDCs are a program supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration and extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.  SBA cannot endorse any products, opinions or services of any external parties or activities.