JUL—SEP 2011 FIRST ISSUE
8th Annual
RGV BLUES Festival 2011
SEPTEMBER 24 Page 8
Fred Kurth Chairman of the Board
Matt Z. Ruszczak President/CEO
PREMI
ERE
ISSUE
v i s i t o u r we b s i t e w w w. m i s s i o n c h a m b e r. c o m
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fred Kurth, Melden & Hunt, Inc. George Myers, Hunt Valley Development Cathy Garcia, Freedom Life Church D.P. Hernandez, M.D., Women’s Health Services
Welcome & Bienvenidos
Mario Reyna, South Texas College Michelle Lea Zamora, Frost Bank
Letter from the Chair
Husbaldo Salazar, Dahill A Xerox Company Sandra Vecchio, RV Contractors
Greetings! We are excited about our magazine and hope that you find it helpful and informative. As we go into the last quarter of our fiscal year, I am taking this opportunity to share about our members, the board, our staff, and what’s coming up around the corner.
Ruben Plata, Texas National Bank Javier Iruegas, Mission Regional Medical Center Dr. Raul Pena, Peña Eye Institute Robert Norman, BBVA Compass Bank Vic Kasan, Hampton Inn & Suites Oscar Ortiz R Ph, Walgreens Sheila M. Pankratz, Cocina del Caribe
ADVISORY BOARD Scott Owings, Sharyland I.S.D. Superintendent Dr. Cornelio Gonzalez, Mission C.I.S.D. Superintendent
STAFF Matt Z. Ruszczak, President/CEO Crystal Santos, VP of Operations & Special Projects Dago Rivera, VP of Membership & Business Development Sarah Castillo, Membership Services Coordinator Jessica Leija, VP of Tourism & Community Development Elizabeth Trantham, Bookkeeper Jeanette Ceja, Customer Service Rep.
First our members. Members are the life blood of the chamber and we have been working diligently to make our roster accurate and then grow membership by 250 members this year. Yes, the economy makes us all evaluate expenses, but we are finding that our members get the value for the buck with the Chamber through exposure of the various media we use, networking at our events, informative seminars, and community involvement. Look forward to our upcoming membership drive and get involved – get on a team! Board of Directors. Our board consists of 15 dedicated, diverse and hard working members from all types of businesses that allow us to have all sectors of our business community represented. Each board member welcomes your comments, questions, and suggestions and we are available to listen to your concerns anytime. Elections are underway to fill some seats, so get your vote in. Staff. We are blessed with excellent staff members led by Matt Ruszczak, CEO and President. Every one of our staff members puts in long days on events that may be in the evening, on a weekend, or just a regular day with a smile and always with a professional attitude. Pat them on the back next time you see them and let them know you appreciate their efforts. Upcoming events include our Blues Festival which is our opportunity to raise some money for Comfort House and the Chamber. The event promises to be a sell out early so get your tickets now. We have many sponsorships still available with Harley Davidson being our title sponsor. Thank you for the wonderful year thus far and we look forward to continued success here at the Chamber.
202 W. Tom Landry Mission, TX 78572 Tel 956.585.2727 • Fax 956.585.3044
Fred Kurth
Chairman of the Board
Jul-Sep 2011 >// 03
Message from the President Dear Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce Family of Members,
Welcome to our new “My Mission” Chamber Magazine! It is my distinct honor and pleasure to serve you as President/CEO of this distinguished organization, and the “My Mission” is a new tool we are implementing to bring value to your Chamber Membership. In the next few pages we will outline many long standing activities as well as new initiatives our team executes to serve our Members. We continuously strive to provide to the Greater Mission Area in order to continue on our path of becoming a Greater Chamber of Commerce. We greatly appreciate your membership and dedication to the Chamber and we would like to wholeheartedly invite you to join us for our upcoming activities, and take advantage of your Chamber Membership. I am looking forward to personally shake your hand at our next Breakfast Hook-Up, Buenas Tardes Luncheon, After Hours Business Mixer, Texas Butterfly Festival, the 8th Annual RGV Blues Festival, a Business Seminar, or one of our many Ribbon Cuttings. These are among the many values your Chamber Membership brings you, and the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce team is here to serve you and your business. Enjoy the “My Mission”, join us at our next event, and allow us to advance Our Mission: Your Success! GoMission!
Don’t Forget to Mark Your Calendars!!! The Mission Chamber of Commerce invites the entire Rio Grande Valley Community to the 16th Annual Texas Butterfly Festival taking place on Saturday, October 22, 2011 in Mission, TX. This family-oriented event will feature butterfly gardens, games, children’s activities for the entire family and much more...
OCTOBER 22, 2011 TIME: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM Bike Race: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM Community Fair: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Butterfly Walk: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Community Bike Ride: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM PLACE: World Birding Center Bentsen Rio Grande Valley 2800 S. Bentsen Dr. Mission, TX 78572
BUSINESS 83
N
SHARY RD.
STEWART RD.
CONWAY AVE.
If you would like sponsorship info please call Jessica Leija at (956) 585-2727 or e-mail at jleija@missionchamber.com
Business Month of the
May 2011
Mission Duncan Insurance 220 East 10th Street Mission, TX 78572 Ph. (956) 581-2183
June 2011
Renee’s of Sharyland 2600 E. Griffin Parkway Mission, TX 78572 Ph. (956) 519.9494
July 2011
Pete Jaramillo Insurance 3805 Plantation Grove Blvd Mission, TX 78572 Ph. (956) 580-1066
Jul-Sep 2011 >// 05
Did You
KNOW. . . that The Mission Chamber of Commerce has a minimum of three networking events per month. The power of networking solely depends on your skills as a networker. Here are some tips to take advantage of every opportunity the Mission Chamber has to offer:
1
Ask open ended questions – This will open up the conversation and not make you look like a salesperson. Questions like “Who do you work for?”, ”What do you do?”, “Where are you located?” keep the conversation going and breaks the ice.
2
Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trusts and relationships and seeing how you can help others. Remember people do business with friends first!!
3
Become known as a powerful resource for others. When you are known as a strong resource, people remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people etc. This makes sure you always visible to them.
Don’t forget that the Mission Chamber also has a facility to host your next seminar or small meeting. Please call the membership department at 956.585.2727 and ask for Sarah Castillo or Dago Rivera. We Are Here to Assist You!!!
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SMALL BUSINESS
By: UTPA SBDC Advisor Marcela Arredondo
& THE ART OF NEGOTIATION
E
ffective negotiation is a business practice that occurs when a buyer and a seller reach an agreement that result in a balanced outcome for both parties - a compro-
mise for both the buyer and seller or an evenhanded “give and take� result for those involved. Some small business owners tend to disregard the power of negotiation when dealing with suppliers and other business associates, while others entrepreneurs believe giant corporations should only utilize this type of business maneuvering for their large transactions. In fact, successful negotiation is a powerful tool for businesses of any size; its benefits have a direct and powerful impact on small business profitability. When properly executed, negotiation typically results in favorable financial and informational benefits for small business owners. According to Effective Purchasing and Inventory Control for Small Business by William E. Dollar, the financial gain may come from the reduction of costs, while the information benefits is tied to improved communication between the buyer and the seller. If not yet implemented, small entrepreneurs should seriously consider the potential for business savings when utilizing appropriate negotiation techniques in daily operations. What small business owner does not want to cut costs? Regrettably, however, it is very common for small business buyers to believe their purchasing power to be insignificant; therefore, they do not ask for better prices from sellers. reductions!
Small business buyers, however, should always ask for price
The worst-case scenario is that they do not receive immediate price reductions; however, these types of
requests often open doors for future negotiations with sellers.
ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE Call Us For More Information
(956) 585-2727
w w w. m i s s i o n c h a m b e r. c o m
The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce & RGV Harley-Davidson
8th Annual RGV Blues Festival Present the
Food • Live Music • Fun
The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce Blues Committee announces its 8th Annual RGV Blues Festival, presented by Rio Grande Valley Harley-Davidson, benefiting the Comfort House. The event is set for September 24, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at The Club at Cimarron located at 1200 S. Shary Road in Mission, Texas. We invite you to come and enjoy the live sounds of five incredible Blues Bands from all across Texas as you dine on authentic Cajun cuisine and bid on a great selection of silent auction items. This electrifying experience promises to be the event of the year with a night of dancing, dining and fun…all to the sweet sounds of the Blues! For more tickets or for information on how to become a sponsor of the 8th Annual RGV Blues Festival, contact Dago Rivera at (956) 585-2727 or at drivera@missionchamber.com
DIPLOMAT SPOTLIGHT ary, and Palm Valley Animal Center. This
LindsleE D. Brunson As chair of the Chamber Diplomats, Lindslee is spearheading the committee for The Dog Days of Summer Are Over. She asks that you mark your calendar for this chamber event coming up September. 17th.
I am looking forward to bringing another great event to the City of Mission Lindslee D. Brunson is the Adver-
“I am looking forward to bringing another great
tising Manager for the Progress
event to the City of Mission, helping build our
Times, Mission’s hometown news-
Diplomat program, and hope to make it exceed all
paper since 1972, and has worked
expectations!” said Lindslee. “Through the Dog
for the paper since 2003. Lindslee
Days of Summer we will be able to help our
has been actively involved in the
community animal shelters: including the City of
community since 2003.
Mission Animal Shelter, The Oasis Animal Sanctu-
event is also designed to build the Diplomat Program, drive people to Mission and give them the opportunity to see all that we have to offer. Another important purpose of this event is to help create community awareness of responsible pet ownership, the importance of spay and neutering and adoptions.” The Dog Days of Summer Are Over will be taking place at the Mission Sports Complex on South Shary Road on September 17, 2011. This one-day event features Dog Walk, Muttsquerade, Dog Competitions, Vendors, Educational Demonstrations and much, much more! To be a sponsor, vendor, or to register please contact a Chamber Diplomat at (956) 585-2727. Jul-Sep 2011 >// 08
New Members // June - August 2011 K Double K
A&R VIDA
AFLAC
TagleStar Web Studios
Texas Green Solar & Wind Soluations
Alayna's Fashions
eReal Estate Depot
Manrique Custom Vision
1002 S. Alamo Rd. Alamo, TX 78516
401 E. Griffin Pkwy Ste A Mission, TX 78572 (956) 580-0178
Xcell Orthopedics Physical Therapy
RGV Pop Warner Football League
Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets
Agencia Total S.A. de C.V.
6708 N. 17th St McAllen, TX 78504 (956) 905-9982
5001 E Expwy 83 Suite 750 Mercedes, TX 78570 (956) 565-3910
The Bayou Grill
Cornerstone Spa Service Massage
HALO Rehabilitation
6521 N. 10th St Suite F McAllen, TX 78504 (956) 844-5761
2010 S Cynthia Suite 109 McAllen, TX 78503 (956) 686-2242
Divine Custom Homes 1907 Seagull Lane Mission, TX 78572 (956) 467-1111
2017 N Conway Suite B Mission, TX 78572 (800) 680-2738
5717 N. 10th St. Ste 400 McAllen, TX 78504 (956) 627-4091
929 E. Esperanza Suite 14 McAllen, TX 78501 (956) 618-2737
305(a) N. Shary Road Mission, TX 78572 (956) 581-4333
P.O. Box 5395 McAllen, TX 78502 (956) 802-1439
1524 S. 7th St. Edinburg, TX 78539 (888) 618-5170
We Buy Gold and Silver 1653 West Palma Vista Dr Ste 3 Palmview, TX 78572 (956) 867-9188
2518 W. Trenton Rd. Edinburg, TX 78539 (956) 661-9000
Blv. Francisco Medina s/n Local 61 Zona Hotelera Norte Puerto Vallarta, mx 78572 Brownsville, TX 78526 (956) 504-2273
2500 Dicker Rd Hidalgo, TX 78572 (956) 655-9241
Membership Renewals // June - August 2011 Allen Industrial Supply Lab Services Mission Duncan Insurance Agency Joel D. Galindo, CPA Avila Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Arrowhead Management, LLC Moseley Insurance Agency Mission Lion's Club Donald Reinhardt Workforce Solutions-McAllen Cosmetic & Family Denistry FastSigns McDonald's-Shary Palm Valley Church New Hope at the Border Border Theater Boggus Ford Canales Dental Center Valley Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery The Osiris A. Gonzalez Law Firm Gateway Printing Southern Landscapes Cox Smith Matthews Inc Valley Symphony Orchestra TMC Teaching & Mentoring Communities Bell's Farm to Market
America's Shoes La Joya Area Federal Credit Union Perez Fence Company Texas Money Exchange Browing-Ferris Industries Mission Plaza Pharmacy #2 Jason's Deli Re/Max Elite Performance Therapeutics Nuestra Clinica del Valle H.E.B. Plus Inter National Bank-Griffin Inter National Bank-Exp 83 Inter Nation Bank-Tom Landry Family Health Center of Mission Mission Auto & Truck Sales Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson,LLP Mission Towing, Inc Javier Hinojosa Engineering L & G Engineering Courtyard Café Texas Melon Exchange Burns Motors Weaks Martin Implement Garden of Angels Cemetery Mission Veterinary Hospital
State Farm Insurance-David Rozeff Las Misiones at the Grove Apartments Delia's George Sathijaraj, M.D. Izaguirre Engineering Group, LLC Aircool Tech Martin Valley Ranch Dairy Queen Payne Mission Acero Fab, Inc March of Dimes Intertech Flooring McAllen Construction, Inc. Rio Queen Citrus, Inc Oleander Acers Office Perfessional Appraisal Services, Inc Post-Net-Mission eReal Estate Depot, LLC Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Mission Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Waterford Gardens MCM Sporting Goods Mission CISD
Jul-Sep 2011 >// 09
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CHAMBER UPCOMING Events » September 5, 2011 Office Closed in Observance of Labor Day » September 7, 2011 Mission Chamber Business Breakfast Hook-Up Time: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Location: Mission Chamber 202 W Tom Landry, Mission, TX » September 8, 2011 Ribbon Cutting - Valley Business Report Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Location: 105A East Jackson Harlingen, TX » September 14, 2011 Buenas Tardes Luncheon Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Location: Balli’s Social & Event Center 1620 E. Griffin Parkway, Mission, TX » September 17, 2011 Dog Days of Summer are Over Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Location: Mission Sports Complex
» September 24, 2011 8th Annual RGV Blues Festival 2011 Time: 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Location: Club at Cimarron 1200 S. Shary Rd. Mission, TX » September 28, 2011 Mission Chamber Business Mixer Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Location: TBA
» October 21 – 23, 2011 Texas Butterfly Festival Location: Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park » October 26, 2011 Mission Chamber Business Mixer Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Location: TBA
» October 5, 2011 Mission Chamber Business Breakfast Hook-Up Time: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Location: Mission Chamber 202 W. Tom Landry, Mission, TX » October 12, 2011 Buenas Tardes Luncheon Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Location: Club at Cimarron 1200. S Shary Rd. Mission, TX
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage 202 W. Tom Landry Mission, TX 78572
PAID
Permit No. 66 Mission, TX 78572