Northeast California Connection Magazine (Summer 2023, Issue 3)

A message from Celia

Surridge

Marketing & Communications Manager

BBB Sacramento & Northeast California

As a small business, you are the backbone of our economy. You drive innovation and growth in the Northeast California region. But you also face some of the biggest challenges, from operations to marketing. That's why the Better Business Bureau is here to help you do more than stay in business; we help you thrive!

In a crowded market, reaching potential customers is different from what it used to be. But what does this have to do with the BBB?

We help you thrive as a business by supporting you holistically. We have internal resources and partners who can help you with every aspect of your business. You can find data on Industry trends and ways to avoid scams on our website Best of all, being an Accredited Business instills trust in consumers looking for your services To round it all off, we provide some excellent marketing support

Marketing is everchanging It is a fast-paced environment that ebbs and flows as consumers' needs and interests change It may seem impossible to keep up with, but that's why being part of the BBB is crucial.

We're actively staying abreast of marketing trends, working to ensure you have access to the support that will move your business forward. That includes access to complimentary and paid support programs and fostering more networking events.

Be sure to take advantage of all the resources you have at your disposal Leave no stone unturned, and let us know if there is any way we can support you!

Scam Studies

In-depth investigations by the BBB were conducted to give consumers and businesses a better understanding of how each scam works. BBB looks at how scammers trick their victims by using social engineering and playing on emotions

Check out all of the Scam Studies that the BBB has available! BBB.org/ScamStudies

Jobs Scams

Vacation Study

Hosted by Better Business Bureau

As we reflect on the Women's Conference at the Guild Theater in Oak Park, we are excited for the future

We gathered together esteemed speakers, community leaders, and ambitious entrepreneurs. We shared profound insights from work-life balance to innovative entrepreneurship. Diverse topics fueled a passion for personal and professional growth

Amidst great food, laughter, and new connections, attendees celebrated each other's successes, forging meaningful relationships and finding inspiration in shared journeys.

Stay tuned for upcoming events and initiatives to further empower our collective journey. A heartfelt thank you to all the supporters and attendees for making the Sacramento Women's Conference unforgettable Your belief in women's power and contributions has made a difference. Let us continue embracing empowerment, collaboration, and inspiration together

Join us next year on May 10, 2024!

Stay tuned for more information on BBB.org.

Thank you to our sponsors!

We couldn't have done it without you!

WOMEN WHO MEAN BUSINESS AWARDS & EXPO

June 16, Sacramento Business Journal celebrated its 28th Women Who Mean Business Awards. Accompanied with an Expo, this annual event is one that cannot be missed! We were thrilled to be in attendance and enjoyed celebrating the Awardees with our fellow community.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE

2023 ACCREDITED BUSINESS AWARDEES

Lora Anguay

Chief Zero Carbon Officer at SMUD

Celia

Marketing & Communications Manager BBB serving Sacramento & Northeast

Brenda Rejamand

CEO & Founder at BD Tax & Finance Group Inc.

Lizbeth (Beth) West Employment Attorney

& Shareholder at Weintraub

Tobin

"The Women Who Mean Business Awards and Expo is one of my favorite yearly events. I enjoy networking and getting to know fellow members of our business community. Best of all, honoring the achievements of phenomenal women in our region is a source of true inspiration!"

Surridge

California

INAUGURAL TOWN HALL

On June 14, we hosted our Inaugural Town Hall. This annual networking and informational meeting aims to inform our Accredited Businesses and partners of our performance over the past year. Topics range from how many complaints and reviews we've handled to what marketing initiatives we're working on and how many consumers are accessing BBB.org every month. We hope you'll join us next year!

MONTHLY EVENTS @ THE BBB

MARKETING MORNINGS

Join Celia Surridge, Marketing & Communications Manager of BBB Sacramento, for an informal discussion about all things marketing!

COFFEE WITH THE CEO

How well do you know your BBB? Join us at our office for a one-on-one networking opportunity with Lynn Conner, CEO of BBB Sacramento.

Quarterly events are now happening monthly. Come see us!

PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOTS

PROFILE VIDEOS

You can now get your headshots after Marketing Mornings!

Our headshot event is teaming up with Marketing Mornings at the BBB office to provide you more opportunities for a complimentary headshot with our in-house photographer

As a BBB employee and a small business owner, I am constantly seeking unique ways to elevate my business and connect with my audience in today's competitive business landscape. It is during this time, with Torch Awards just around the corner, that I reflect on the immense benefits and resources provided by community awards.

As you continue your journey in exploring different marketing tactics for your business, embrace the opportunity to showcase your business's excellence through community awards and witness the positive impact they can have on your growth and success. Consider researching and exploring notable awards in your industry or local community, such as the Sacramento Region Innovation Awards or the Best of Sacramento Awards. These are just a couple of examples that can serve as a starting point for your research.

With dedication and perseverance, these awards can become a powerful marketing tactic that sets your business apart and propels it to new heights.

by Katy Karns, Production Specialist, BBB of Northeast California

THE POWER OF AWARDS TO ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF AWARDS IN MARKETING:

Enhancing Credibility:

Winning or being nominated for reputable awards bolsters your credibility and builds trust among customers, partners, and stakeholders

Differentiating from Competitors:

Awards provide a unique selling point that sets your business apart from competitors, helping you attract new customers and opportunities

Increased Visibility:

Recognition through awards often leads to media coverage, social media exposure, and heightened brand visibility, expanding your reach and attracting potential customers.

Positive Reputation & Brand Building

Demonstrate your commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and community engagement, further solidifying your brand's image as a trusted and respected entity

steps to find the community award for

best

you

Define your goals and values

Clarify your business goals and values, identifying what you want to be recognized for within the community.

Consider reputation and impact

Choose awards well-respected in the community, with significant influence. Research past winners and assess potential benefits such as visibility, credibility, networking, and publicity.

Research and evaluate awards programs

Thoroughly research community award programs, looking for ones that resonate with your goals, values, and community impact.

Find an award that works for you

Sac Business Journal

This award recognizes businesses that prioritize employee satisfaction, engagement, and work-life balance

Best Places to Work Awards

These awards recognize companies that have created outstanding workplace environments, fostering employee engagement, satisfaction, and overall well-being

Shining a light on trustworthy businesses.

Recognizingbusinesseswhoembody trustandintegrity.

Your Local Chamber Awards

Community Volunteer Awards

The Cordova Community Council Volunteer Awards are considered to be the premiere volunteer honors in the Rancho Cordova community, with the “Rancho Cordovan of the Year” a prestigious designation, usually recognizing a lifetime of community contribution This is a match for those whose corporate culture prizes volunteer contribution and service to the community and wish to identify with these values in Rancho Cordova

Installation and Business Awards

The annual Installation and Business Awards Banquet allows for the provision of programs and services that assist in bolstering the long-term economic strength for our small and micro member businesses It provides an opportunity for over 500 members and affiliates a great networking opportunity and venue for celebration for the accomplishments of the SBCC throughout the year.

Business & Community Excellence Awards

Business in Excellence Award

Awarded to an LGBTQ+ business leader, ally, or advocate who is an active member of the Chamber. Nominees should demonstrate leadership in promoting a professional and positive impact in advancing equality and diversity within the Greater Sacramento Valley community. Nominees must have 3 years of participation with the Chamber.

Community Leader of the Year Award

Chamber Members and Non-Members are eligible for nomination of this award Nominees should demonstrate a proven track record of a deep and extended commitment to advancing equality and quality of life for LGBTQ+ people in the Greater Sacramento Valley Desirable qualities for this nominee include engagement with the community – serving with nonprofits, committees, active leadership role, chair, organizer, etc

Corporate Advocate Award

Corporation or business entity Member and Non-Members are eligible for nomination of this award Nominees should implement outstanding practices, programs, and policies that advance LGBTQ+ leadership and equality within their workforce Nominees should demonstrate a wide-ranging impact and involvement with the LGBTQ+ community in the Greater Sacramento Valley

Other Community Awards

NAWBO

National Women Business Owner of the Year Award: Presented by the National Association of Women

Business Owners this award recognizes exceptional women entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to their industries.

SACRAMENTO SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS AWARDS

The Sacramento Sustainable Business Program recognizes local businesses that demonstrate sustainable practices and environmental stewardship

These awards highlight efforts in energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, and other sustainable initiatives

Let's say your weekly office cleaning should take two or three hours An average cleaning company would price your job based on three hours Everything will seem great for the first few weeks of your contract, and then it begins The cleaning company's owners, managers, or cleaning technicians realize they can't afford to provide the level of service they promised you They slowly start reducing the time the cleaners are on your site. You end up paying for three hours of work, and the company's employees are out of there in an hour and a half or less! Things appear to be clean, but after a closer inspection, you will notice many missing items not being cleaned from the original agreement.

How do you avoid multiple uncomfortable conversations with your commercial cleaning company? Or prevent the worst-case scenario, having to fire them and start

all over?

Have clear expectations and put them in writing

It's not enough just to lay out a few areas of importance in a cleaning contract. You need to be specific. I recommend writing out exactly what's expected from your commercial cleaner on what days. Down to dusting light fixtures on which days. Also, and most importantly, think of a measuring system to keep track of your commercial cleaners' activities and write it out in the contract. For example, the business owner will receive a weekly, monthly, or quarterly cleaning report You need something you receive regularly stating which items are being completed I would recommend getting that report in shorter intervals It may seem like more work, but you can catch things quickly before the commercial cleaners get too far off track You could delegate this task to an employee if you don't have time

Secondly, If your cleaners aren't meeting your expectations, put it in writing There's nothing more frustrating than asking people to change multiple times with no resolution The minute you put it in writing, things get serious Your commercial cleaner knows when you put it in writing that it's not an empty threat What do you write? Company name, who you're addressing, your name, and specific details on what's been missed and what will happen if the commercial cleaner doesn't correct their action in a reasonable amount of time.

This seems like a ton of work, but it's pretty easy once you get into a rhythm of holding your cleaners accountable. Trust me; it's better than the alternative. It boils down to mutual respect. It doesn't hurt to develop a solid relationship with your commercial cleaner, one where you can be open and honest with them If they are true professionals, your criticism will only make them better If they aren't pros, you will know right away by the layer of excuses they put out there

If all of the above fails, search for a professional janitorial service and discover how a trustworthy cleaning company can make your life much

Recruit better. Hire faster.

From our partners at Deluxe comes an HR solution that streamlines everything from finding the right candidates and employee onboarding to benefits administration and payroll. Deluxe HR Solutions is a smart, comprehensive HR solution designed with small-business owners like you in mind.

Payroll + Modern HR

Let's find the best solution for your business!

Everything you ever wanted to know about

BBB Complaints

Better Business Bureau (BBB) has been around for over 100 years, working to bridge the gap between businesses and the consumers they serve. Although some consumers may think of BBB as an enforcement arm for their complaints, that's not how we operate.

BBB strives to be impartial and unbiased. As a not-for-profit company, we offer many services, including dispute resolution (A.K.A. complaint handling), for free. When BBB takes a complaint, we strive to help the businesses and consumers in our community reach a fair outcome

Your local BBB has helped to resolve over 3,000 complaints for consumers and businesses every year since 2019.

Here's how it works:

BBB can help with many issues, but we can only take complaints between consumers and businesses arising from a marketplace interaction

That means we can't help with employer and employee issues, business collection issues, and complaints about issues not arising in the marketplace i e , personal issues against a business owner and/or its employees.

* If you are a business owner and you receive a complaint about issues falling outside of our purview, let us know, and we will review your case

Other issues that fall outside of BBB's purview include those involving criminal activity, discrimination allegations, complaints currently in litigation, malpractice, and buyer's remorse, among others.

The complaint is sent to the business by email or postal mail The business then has ten days to respond. At the same time, BBB also sends a notice to the complainant notifying them that we have processed the complaint and are awaiting the business's response

If the business does not respond within the first ten days, BBB will send a reminder providing the business with an extra ten days to respond.

If the business fails to respond to our reminder, the complaint will close as "No Response." Unanswered complaints affect a business's BBB Rating, causing that business to be ineligible for Accreditation

Once the business has provided a response, the complainant is notified of the response and given the opportunity to either accept or reject the response within seven calendar days.

6 7 8

If the consumer accepts the response, the complaint will be "resolved "

Both parties may request follow-ups. BBB will review these responses and may decide to close the complaint at any point If BBB decides to close the complaint, it may do so in one of two ways:

Answered - In this case, BBB determined that the business made a good-faith effort to resolve the complainant's concerns, but the effort was not accepted.

Unresolved - BBB has determined that the business did not make a good-faith effort to resolve the complaint despite our efforts to ease communication. In this case, the unresolved complaint will affect the business's BBB rating. Unresolved complaints will also make a business ineligible for Accreditation

Once the complaint has closed, BBB redacts any personal information and publishes the complaint to the business's BBB profile.

If the consumer rejects the response, they must tell us why BBB will review the complainant's rejection. If it contains new relevant information, we will request that the business provide a follow-up to the complainant's rejection within ten days.

1 2 3 4 5

This is a good summary of the general complaint process, but each case is unique BBB will keep both the complainant and the business informed of the process every step of the way

To make the process go as smoothly as possible, BBB offers the following tips:

Document - if you have documentation supporting your side of the story, you can provide us with copies via a link in the complaint portal

Keep it professional - Both consumer and business responses will be published. How you respond is often just as important as what you say.

If you're a business, a professional response will often say more about your business ethics than the mere fact of receiving a complaint will.

If you're a customer, be aware that business owners and employees are human and subject to making mistakes

Even if we are unable to obtain a response or resolution to your complaint, we often investigate businesses that receive concerning complaints and may share information with government agencies when appropriate.

Together with our roster of over 6000 Accredited Businesses, who have agreed to abide by BBB's Eight Standards for Trust and support our Vision with yearly dues, we advance marketplace trust by holding unethical businesses accountable and celebrating marketplace role models on our website, BBB.org/sacramento.

Your BBB is here to support both the consumers and businesses of Northeastern California.

BBB CHAMBER PARTNER SPOTLIGHTS

RANCHO CORDOVA

Celebrating their 60th Anniversary

While based in Rancho Cordova, the Chamber serves a much larger area, including Mather, Rosemont, Gold River, and Rancho Murieta The chamber is thrilled to be celebrating its 60th anniversary You're invited to join them for their upcoming Chamber Scramble, taking place on September 29, and Celebration Gala on October 19th To find out more, go to their website at ranchocordova org

CARMICHAEL

Celebrating 75 Years of Growth

Originally known as the La Fiesta District Chamber of Commerce, the Carmichael Chamber was formed by a small group of business owners working to help the community grow and is now proud to be celebrating 75 years! You are invited to join the chamber for their upcoming Paradise in Carmichael Golf Tournament and be on the lookout for the Best of Carmichael awards launching August 1st. To find out more, visit carmichaelchamber.com.

CALIFORNIA HISPANIC

Chambers of Commerce

The leading regional Hispanic and ethnic business organization in the Nation, the CHCC and its network of over 100 chambers and associations represent the interest of California's 815,000 Hispanic-owned businesses Through its advocacy, education, and empowerment programs, the CHCC brings California's small business community's issues and needs to the forefront of the California and National economic agendas Find out more at cahcc com

Academic Recipient

UC San Diego Mechanical Engineering (Space & Engineering)

This scholarship will definitely help me a lot with tuition or with housing.

to our 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Academic Recipient

University of Southern California Journalism

This scholarship will help me by ensuring I can focus on my studies and immerse myself in all the opportunities that my college has to offer.

Vocational Recipient

Hoss Lee Academy

Esthetician

I know without [this scholarship] I wouldn’t be able to finish my education. So, I am very thankful to be selected.

Vocational Recipient

Butte College

Ultrasound Technician

This money will help me with my expenses to get to college. For my books. For everything I need for my educational goals and career goals, and I am so thankful for this opportunity.

Beenish Farooqi

Taylor Perry

Sethan Perez

Fernando Zepeda

If travel is built into your company’s business model, plan, book, and travel with trust

There’s nothing like a good plan, so do as much as you can in advance so you’re not hard up for a plan after your flight touches down in a different city

Consider these activities:

Some conferences or trade shows require reserved spots for speakers and panels Make sure everyone RSVPs to these events to guarantee their spots Book workspaces if necessary If employees need an office while traveling, investigate options like community workspaces that can meet these needs. Create a checklist of all the resources your team needs to bring.

Pre-order business collateral like flyers, business cards and posters.

If you’re hosting a booth or table at a trade show, make a plan for setting up materials and installations, and check on needs like internet access or provided meals.

Book with trusted businesses

As always, BBB is a great resource when booking flights and hotels Use the BBB Directory to do your research and know that you’re booking with confidence when you choose a BBB Accredited Business

Also, when choosing the right lodging, book at a place that’s not only within budget but one that might need to fulfill other needs beyond just a place to sleep Being away from home might involve looking for amenities like laundry, a gym, and a decent workspace – find a hotel you can rely upon to meet these needs.

Whether it’s a missed flight, a conference schedule change, or the inability to find a ride from the airport, there will always be times when plans fall through. What’s expected in these instances? Try to eliminate these stresses by creating a backup plan

Alternate modes of transportation

Encourage conversations and communication around trips. When traveling, ensure a support system is in place to cover your team’s responsibilities. If team members are on a trip to gather leads or subscriptions, implement a workflow for them to provide updates and track progress, especially anything related to time-sensitive business deals.

When you or your employees attend a conference, arrange a time after the event to share key takeaways with the team.

Emergency budget

Technology plans for charging, backup batteries, Wi-Fi accessibility, lost or stolen devices

A list of important contacts to call in case of emergency Travel insurance

Caring for your hair and the planet

Article written by BBB Accredited Business, Recover Repair Gro LLC Edited for inclusion by BBB of Northeast California

You are starting to see these cute bars of soap all over the place, but they're not for your hands They are for your hair! Why are companies making these soap bars? First, let’s find out what they are and the different kinds There are soap bars and shampoo bars. Some shampoo bars are soap-based, while others are soap-free. Let’s tackle the bars that are soap-based first.

SOAP-BASED BARS

Our hair has a PH level between 4-5 5, and it’s healthiest at this level Some soaps are too alkaline, with a PH between 8-9 due to the sodium hydroxide mixed with animal fats, veggie fats, or oil (the process of being saponified), and can leave your hair dry, brittle, and fragile, according to Tony Maleedy, cosmetic scientist. Yes, soap cleanses, but what you use to scrub dirt off pots, pans, or even your skin should not be used on your hair.

Another name for sodium hydroxide is lye

Now, many beauty products contain sodium hydroxide as it is a PH balancer But the concentration levels are low or should be low to be safe. If the levels are too high, then you could experience the above results being dry, brittle hair.

But another thing you must think about with soap is what we sometimes see in our showers, soap scum. Jon David, a Chicagobased Master Stylist, commented, “That’s because of the high concentration of cleansers in shampoo bars They tend to have a more waxy concentration, leading to buildup on your hair Think shower doors again, but on your hair

To combat the build-up, the shampoo bar experts will tell you to do an apple cider vinegar rinse. First, who has time to take another step in the shower? Secondly, vinegar has an acidity of 2-3, which is more acidic than our skin (around 4-5). If you don’t use soap (which is alkaline), then you don’t need to “balance” your ph levels. Side note: Too many apple cider vinegar rinses can cause brassiness and damage.

SOAP-FREE BARS

Onto the soap-free or surfactant-based bars. Why are some stylists hesitant to use these? Your hairstylist wants your hair to be its healthiest and look great Hairstylists recommend products to give you this result With shampoo bars, you still have to be aware of a few things:

Some “natural” bars still use sodium lauryl sulfate, which can irritate the skin, fade colortreated hair and cause allergic reactions. (And if derived from petrol be bad for the environment)

These bars are super concentrated Even when clients are told to use less liquid-based shampoos because they are concentrated, they tend to use too much So, with these bars, many put too much on their scalp and hair, leading to product buildup

Many use the bars in a back-and-forth motion on the hair. This causes significant tangling, especially with curly hair. And you’re roughing up the cuticle of your hair strands which can lead to damage.

LESSENING YOUR FOOTPRINT?

Finally, the major push for these shampoo bars is to be better for the planet I am all for creating less of a footprint, but there are other ways to do that and still be able to use shampoo in liquid form. One way is to buy bigger bottles. In most instances, purchasing a larger bottle is the equivalent of buying four smaller retail-size bottles.

Another way to limit your footprint is to rinse your bottles before putting them in the recycle bin. Most recycled plastics don’t get recycled because they are deemed unfit It takes time to clean the plastic, especially food-containing bottles, and then they need to be heated to be melted down to make something else

Did you know that there are certain levels of plastic? From easiest to recycle to

The biggest culprits of not being a good candidate for recycling are:

To-go coffee Cups, Straws, Clear plastic cutlery, Baby bottles, Food takeout boxes (especially the styrofoam ones)

These are also the products most in need of an environmentally safe alternative The hair industry uses either #1 or #2 plastics in many cases, which are the easiest and the most recycled! However, each city has different recycling rules, so check with your local recycling center for more detailed information.

Advertising on BBB.org

Whether you realize it or not, digital ads are everywhere From a simple Google search to the endless scroll of your Facebook feed, you are bound to come across some form of advertisement And, with the ease of buying social media ads, you may be considering digital advertisements for your business You have to ask yourself, though, "Where will I see the best return for my advertising investment?"

That's where advertising on BBB.org comes in!

With just under 11 million visits per month, BBB.org remains one of the top sources for finding trusted service providers for consumers. That is why having a completed profile on BBB.org is so important! You want to take every opportunity to make that phone ring or drive more traffic to your website.

However, it's been found that when consumers browse directories, they are typically drawn to the first three search results and ignore the rest of the list That is why we suggest investing in one of our Enhanced Listing packages which will list you as one of the top three options for your type of business Better yet, you can add our display ad bundle, which can increase your click-through rates by as much as 70%!

For comparison, Google Ads for small to mid-sized businesses cost anywhere from $1,000 - $10,000 per month Social media ads are cheaper but can yield low results if you are unfamiliar with deploying your own ads. That is why advertising with the BBB can be the option you're looking for.

Our packages start at just $145 a month!

Best of all, we don't oversaturate our categories Each type of business is limited to one premium listing (guaranteed first placement) and two standard listings (guaranteed second or third placement) Combined with a Display Ad, advertising on BBB org can be just what you and your business need to move the needle forward