CHAMBER CONNECTION
CELEBRATING AND EMPOWERING THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY IN SANTA MARIA VALLEY
The Santa Maria Valley is a region rich in history, shaped by the vibrant Hispanic community that has long been a cornerstone of its cultural and economic identity. Recognizing the profound impact of this community, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce established the Hispanic Business Group (HBG) to support and uplift Hispanic entrepreneurs and businesses. The HBG’s mission is to provide valuable resources, networking opportunities, and expert guidance to help businesses thrive. A common question often arises: “If I’m not Hispanic, can I participate in the group’s events?”
The answer is a resounding yes! While the HBG is focused on serving the Hispanic community, it warmly welcomes anyone interested in connecting with or learning more about Hispanic businesses and customers in the area. These events are an excellent opportunity to build relationships and gain insights, all within an inclusive environment designed to strengthen
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SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
CHAMBER BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Executive Committee
Chairman: Emily Kitts, Naughty Oak Brewing Company
Chairman-Elect: Sandra Dickerson, Your People Professionals
Vice Chairman: Shannon Seifert, Santa Maria Valley YMCA
Vice Chairman: Gina Gluyas, BHGRE Haven Properties
Past Chairman: Paul Cook, CoastHills Credit Union
Board Members
Sue Andersen, Marian Regional Medical Center
Dominick Barry, Quintron Systems, Inc.
Micaela Buchanan, Lark + Sparrow LLC
Jason Buchanan, HUB International Insurance Services
Jeff Buckingham, Astound Business Solutions Powered by Digital West
Nancy Crawford, Care Connection
Transport + Home Care - Santa Maria
Donna Denham, Santa Maria Country Club
Kelsi Fitzgerald, Veritas Innovative Pest & Termite Solutions
Karen Gjerdrum, Fothergill Andre, Morris & Buttery
Antonio Garcia, Santa Maria Joint High School District
Dave Merlo, Glenn Burdette, Inc.
Sylvia Palacios, Santa Maria Town Center
Terè Paredes, Maya Restaurant
Joshua Beau Flores Sahagun, Luttrell Staffing Group
Dr. Eric Sauers, A.T. Still University / College for Healthy Communities
Ryan Swack, Best Western Plus Big America
Dr. Kevin Walthers, Allan Hancock College
Interested in Chamber volunteer leadership opportunities? Contact Molly Schiff, Director of Advocacy & Initiatives, at molly@santamaria. com to learn more about open positions on our committees.
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- CELEBRATING AND EMPOWERING THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY
IN SANTA MARIA VALLEY
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the entire business community in the Santa Maria Valley.
One of the key ways the HBG supports local Hispanic businesses is through educational and networking events tailored to foster growth and development. Among these, the “Grow Your Business” (GYB) series stands out. Held on the first Thursday of every month at the Santa Maria Town Center Mall, these sessions are a must-attend for local business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Recent GYB events have covered a variety of critical topics, such as HR strategies presented by YPP/HR Your Way, legal business advice from Kirk and Simas, and insights on Downtown Revitalization from the Vernon Group. Each session also includes a dedicated networking time, complete with complimentary appetizers, providing a relaxed setting for attendees to connect and share ideas. Before the main presentation, a business spotlight segment shines a light on local businesses and some recent examples include: La Coquetta and United Way of Santa Barbara County. The GYB series covers a broad range of topics, ensuring that all members gain the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.
Beyond the monthly educational events, the HBG also hosts three major mixers each year, typically in May, September and December. These mixers are a highlight of the local business calendar, bringing together the community for an evening of networking, celebration, and fun.
This upcoming September, the Santa Maria Valley Chamber and the HBG will host a mixer at the Santa Maria Town Center Mall on September 5th. The event promises to be a lively affair, featuring over 25 local businesses and agencies, complimentary food, a bar, captivating balie folklorico performances by the Righetti High School group, exciting raffle prizes, and a salsa competition between local businesses. Everyone is invited to join in the festivities, and we hope to see you there!
If you have any questions about the event or are interested in joining the HBG, please contact Efrain Salazar, Hispanic Business Development and Services Representative, at efrain@ santamaria.com or (805) 534-3514. By fostering connections and providing essential resources, the HBG is committed to helping businesses in the Santa Maria Valley flourish. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, the HBG offers a welcoming community where you can grow, learn and succeed.
Scan to register for the Hispanic Business Group’s September mixer!
HISPANIC BUSINESS GROUP HIGHLIGHTS...
Check out what to expect at the next HBG mixer on September 5th at the Santa Maria Town Center Mall!
Drop by to network and interact with the local Hispanic business communtiy while enjoying complimentary food as well as drinks, live performances and dancing, a raffle and more!
KEEP UP WITH OUR OTHER RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Take a look at some of our other recent Chamber publications including our new Local Business Spotlight and and magazine!
Business, #SantaMariaStyle is the Chamber’s quarterly digital magazine publication. The magazine is another way we highlight local businesses, see what’s going on in the community, celebrate our members and more!
Check out our Summer 2024 edition discussing developments in innovation and sustainability practices in the Santa Maria Valley!
Scan to read the new Summer 2024 Magazine.
LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: GROWING GROUNDS FARM
Each month the Santa Maria Valley Chamber partners with the Santa Maria Times to showcase a local business in the Santa Maria Valley through the “Local Business Spotlight” series.
In this month’s Local Business Spotlight, Dan Cano, Vocational Services Director at Transitions Mental Health Association, shares how THMA betters the community through gardening and how Santa Maria has helped them grow as a staple in our town.
CHECK OUT OUR MOST RECENT SHOWCASE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GROWING GROUNDS FARM!
For more information, please reach out to Romina Montemurro, Communications Coordinator via email at romina@santamaria.com
Scan to view this month’s spotlight!
CHAMBER IN ACTION
Here’s a look at what our Chamber & our member businesses have been up to this past month. 5 1 3 4 6 2
1. Our NextGen CEO’s celebrated their graduation after launching their businesses! Congratulations to all the amazing young entrepeneurs.
2. At a Leadership Santa Maria Valley luncheon, alum and former mayor of Guadalupe Frances Romero discussed networking and community leadership.
3. At a Hispanic Business Group event, Marisol Cruz from Community Bank of Santa Maria delivers an insightful course on financial literacy, offering valuable tips for small business owners.
4. At the same event, Joaquin Vargas of America’s Job Center details how his company supports the financing of new and prospective employees through specialized programs designed to help them succeed.
5. The Chamber team got together for a fun afternoon of games and barbecue, #SantaMariaStyle!
6. A couple of our amazing Chamber staff attended the Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE) Academy for professional development in Sacramento where they took classes, collaborated with members of other Chambers and exchanged ideas to strengthen the business community!
GROWING MEMBERSHIP: CHAMBER WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
As champions for a stronger Santa Maria Valley, the Chamber is excited to welcome more businesses to our growing organization. Please join us in welcoming the following new Chamber members, who joined in the month of July 2024.
Investor:
Beso Cocina / 1920 Speakeasy (805) 931-7177 www.besonipomo.com
SKYWAY NIGHTS (805) 331-4744 www.skywaynights.com
Member: Capuno’s Lutong Bahay (805) 287-9442
www.capunoslutongbahay.com
Old Orcutt Yarnery (805) 862-2171
www.oldorcuttyarnery.com
Santa Maria Tax and Bookkeeping Service (805) 349-0660
Vere Marketing Group (805) 598-9774 www.veremarketing.com
CALIFORNIA PAID FAMILY LEAVE GRANT - GET GRANTS OF UP TO $2,000 PER EMPLOYEE OUT ON PAID FAMILY LEAVE
DO YOU HAVE EMPLOYEES OUT ON CALIFORNIA PAID FAMILY LEAVE?
The California Paid Familiy Leave Grant (CPFLG) allows eligible small businesses with at least one (1) employee utilizing California’s Paid Family Leave program to apply for grants up to $2,000 per employee to offset the increased costs associated with the employee out on leave.
Businesses impacted by California’s Paid Family Leave program will have increased costs such as training and upskilling existing staff to cover the duties of the employee on California’s Paid Family Leave; hiring and training additional staff to cover the duties of the employee on California’s Paid Family Leave; and marketing, recruitment, and other reasonably foreseeable training costs.
For more information, eligibility details, and to apply, visit CaliforniaPFL.com.
CHECK OUT @SANTAMARIAVALLEY!
Have you checked out @santamariavalley on social media? Be sure to check out our sister tourism pages highlighting all the restaurants, views, special events, festivals and other must-see spots in Santa Maria Valley!
WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM OUR MEMBERS!
How has being a Chamber member supported the growth of your business? Let us know by emailing romina@santamaria. com.
CHAMBER MEMBER TESTIMONIAL
“Joining the Santa Maria Valley Chamber has exceeded my expectations...Every event has been high quality, the people incredibly helpful and welcoming, and we are extremely happy with the level of support and enthusiasm they bring to all members. Thank you for being such an outstanding and active Chamber and for making a positive difference in our community and business!”
-Linda Ozawa Olds Operator and Co-Founder, Jamba
