O
n November 19th, 2015, Jeff
and Barbara Orth celebrated
the grand reopening of their
business, Integrated Financial
Benefits Network (I FIT) and the remodeling
of the Holloway House. There was a festive
atmosphere filled with music, laughter and
champagne as dozens of friends and family
gathered to watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
For Jeff and Barbara, the celebration was more
than just a new chapter for their business, it was
a way of giving back to the community
that they love.
The spirit of giving has always been an
important part of Jeff ’s and Barbara’s lives.
Jeff first got involved in financial services
because of an encounter with an elderly woman
who had no choice but to work at a Burger
King to support herself. From that moment,
Jeff decided he wanted to help people have
successful retirements so that they never had
to end up in compromising situations. “I want
people to be able to make a choice that isn’t
driven by a lack of money, but by a desire to
do something different or fulfilling with their
lives,” he explains. His heartfelt dedication,
combined with a knack for picking out
winning investments for his clients, has led
to a very successful business.
When Barbara started working as his
Director of Client Services 10 years ago, their
business continued to grow. So much so that
they needed to expand.
From the moment Jeff and Barbara first
moved to Gilroy 31 years ago, they fell in love
with its community and its historical richness.
They had always admired the Holloway
House in particular and so they were thrilled
when it went on the market. Built in 1903,
the Holloway House has seen many people
come and go over the century and it had
reached a dip in its life road. Despite this, the
couple instantly knew that it was the right
house for them. “Even though the house was
deteriorating, Barbara and I always saw the
house more as how it could be again and not
how it was,” Jeff says. For a year, they worked
tirelessly to bring the house back up to its
former glory and many people took notice.
“I’ve had so many people who have walked
up the steps and said they’re so excited to see
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
somebody fixing it up because they love this
house. So it really does feel like it belongs to
the community in a lot of ways,” Barbara says.
Now that they are on the home stretch
of renovations, Jeff and Barbara couldn’t be
happier to share their vision and hard work
with everyone. “This house was like the social
scene in Gilroy at the time. This is where people
came for big Christmas parties, this is where
they had the big fundraisers. If you walk around
the house you’ll see that it’s a party house,” Jeff
describes. And what better way to kick off its
remodeling than with a party! In keeping with
this original spirit, the couple intends to have
the house open for guests and events. They
absolutely love that they are closer to downtown
where they can participate in all of the fun
activities and offer more to the people.
Jeff and Barbara cannot say enough good
things about all of the people who have helped
them along the way. Being historic home
owners themselves, Larry Mickartz and Mike
Dorn had a lot of valuable insights to share
with the couple. Their knowledge has been a
tremendous help during the renovation process.
Jeff and Barbara also really appreciate all of
the cooperation, support, and love they have
received from the Gilroy Historical Society,
who recently sent them the plaque marking
their house as one of the original historic
buildings. “We’ve learned so much about the
property talking to them,” Jeff says. Gilbert
Garcia, who painted the house both this time
around and 20 years ago, has been a great help
as well. Like Jeff and Barbara, he has always
loved the house and was thrilled to be a part of
its renovation. He has told the couple secrets
about the house that even the previous owners
didn’t know.
In so many ways, the Holloway House
owes its new appearance to the hearts of the
people who love it. The way everyone has come
together to help the house’s renovation and
express their excitement for it is a testament to
why Jeff and Barbara love this community so
much. The town may have doubled in size since
the couple first moved to Gilroy, but it still has
that small-town feel and a servant’s heart. Jeff
and Barbara couldn’t be happier to reopen I FIT
in their new location and they look forward to
making great memories with their community.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016
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