Gottschalk Music Center, Merced

Almost everything in John Gottschalk's life comes back to music. A french horn player since fifth grade, he earned money throughout his teenaged years working at the Gottschalk Music Center location his grandparents opened in 1951. After graduating from college with a music-education degree and teaching a year of elementary-school band, John rejoined the family business full time.

Under John, the company has not only expanded to two locations, but also grown its inventory from orchestra and band instruments to guitars, amps, and DJ equipment. A team of dedicated technicians fix any malfunctioning equipment in-house, while the store's wide selection of band and orchestra instruments are available for monthly rental. Via a team of expert instructors, Gottschalk Music Center even supplies private lessons in everything from guitar and piano to clarinet and ukulele.