Santa Maria Veteran’s Honor Week >>> Page 2
Chamber Membership Corner >>> Page 3
Benefits of Shopping Local >>> Page 4
Chamber Connection Monthly newsletter of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors and Convention Bureau | November 2016
Upcoming Events
EACH FRIDAY Build Your Business Breakfast 8 a.m., Denny’s Restaurant, 1019 E. Main Street DECEMBER 7 Freedom Monument Veterans Ceremony 10:00 a.m., Abel Maldonado Youth Center DECEMBER 14 Member Christmas Social 5:00 p.m., Santa Maria Public Airport For more event information, visit www.santamaria.com
Chamber Congratulates Ambassador of the Quarter Julie Colegrove
Julie Colegrove, who has been an Ambassador for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce for many years now, was recently named Ambassador of the Quarter. As a Chamber Ambassador, Colegrove attends many Chamber functions including mixers and ribbon cuttings. “My favorite activity is welcoming new and budding businesses into our community,” Colegrove said. “And of course, the mixers that highlight a business and bring the whole community together.” Colegrove, who started her Shaklee business with her husband Jim in Orange County, moved to Santa Maria in 1978. “Joining the Chamber was among the most rewarding things we could have done,” Colgrove said. “Becoming Ambassadors has allowed us to meet many great business people, serve our community and
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Santa Maria Businesses Highlight Benefits of Shopping Local
P
eople may not realize that when they spend their money here at home, the sales tax revenue contributes to keeping business alive by creating jobs, raising the tax base, supporting community services such as police, fire, recreation and parks along with other municipal services and even allowing support for many non-profit organizations. By simply, making the decision to shop and dine here in town, people directly contribute their own quality of life. The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is proud to support our local business members. And while we encourage people to shop locally throughout the year, we know it’s particularly important during the holiday season. With the convenience of online shopping and discounts offered by big brand stores, it’s important to remind our community of the importance of shopping at our local retailers. “Shopping online or at large out-of-town retailers can feel easier and likely offers a wider range of choices,” said Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Glenn Morris. “What it doesn’t do, though, is support our neighbors and the broader Santa Maria community. Next time you’re at a youth sporting event, or community social/cultural program, take a look at the businesses who are sponsoring the teams or underwriting the performance. If those are stores that you frequent, then you are part of that support network. The funds used to support these programs come from the profits generated by the local business based on the scales they make to each of us.” We talked with a variety of our local business members to get their take on the benefits of shopping local this holiday season.
Community Bank of Santa Maria sees shopping local as an easy way to help one another. As a Community Bank, Community Bank of Santa Maria deals with many of the local businesses in the area. Dealing with finances on a daily basis, Community Bank of Santa Maria CEO Janet Silveria says choosing to shop at our local stores can have a make or break impact on many local businesses. “When we spend money with a locally owned shop or business, more of our money stays right here,” Silveria said. “By supporting local business, we’re all helping each other insure our city remains the wonderful place it is.” Locally owned and operated, Silveria says the customer service offered at Community Bank of Santa Maria is unrivaled by the “big banks”. “Our customers have the benefit of speaking directly to a decision maker. Our staff is empowered to approve their loan request or resolve a problem, without having to refer them to some 800 number that goes across the country, or sometimes even out of the country,” Silveria said. “And we have options to suit your banking preferences. Technology when you want it, people when you don’t. ‘Santa Maria Style’ customer service from people you know and trust. Try getting that at a ‘big bank’.”
4site Solutions: shopping local assures local businesses will be there when you need them. 4site Solutions (4siteSolutions.net) is a web design and marketing company that serves small brick and mortar businesses throughout Santa Maria. Carol Rehnberg of 4siteSolutions.net says it’s important to choose to shop local to ensure our local economy is successful, and the business community remains strong. “It’s so easy to just go the internet to get a lot of our goods and services, but when you want something local--so you can see it before you buy it, or to get it right now, you need local businesses,” Rehnberg explains. “But if everyone choses to go elsewhere, those local businesses won’t be there when you need them. It benefits consumers to have local choices, which only will happen they choose local and keep these businesses thriving.” Rhenberg says that as a local business, their customers see a lot of value in having a company in the area to assist with their web and technology needs. “Having local choices for web services means you can actually sit down face-to-face side with your webmaster while developing your web presence,” she said. “Also I have heard so many stories from business owners who hire an out of area website developer only to not be able to contact them when they need an update to the site. Since we are right here in the area, our customers can find us when they need us.”
For local wineries, shopping local is a way to build relationships with the community. For nagy wines, people choosing to shop local is critical for the success of her own business. Their tasting room is located at 145 S. Gray St, #103 in Old Orcutt, CA. Owner Clarissa Nagy says she chooses to shop local whenever possible because the revenue stays in the area, supports jobs and is invested back into the local community. Additionally, valuable relationships are built with community members. “Long term relationships are built using local service providers. I’ve been going to my hair stylist since I moved to the area. She has become a good friend,” Nagy said. “I love supporting other local business owners. I am always very well received and well cared for by our local businesses.” Nagy strives to build similar relationships with her customers. “My hope is that nagy wines provides the same superb experience I receive at other local businesses,” Nagy said. “We offer a personal and friendly atmosphere and a unique sensory experience. We have a training on why it makes a difference to taste and enjoy Pinot in a Burgundy glass and Syrah in a Rhone glass. I think the amount of information we provide our customers about the wines they are enjoying is what makes us unique and what keeps people coming back.” J. Wilkes, another local Santa Maria Valley Winery, also takes pride in being a local business, and asset to their community. The vineyard produces exceptional Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel & Cabernet Sauvignon. “J. Wilkes enjoys serving the Santa Maria community because we consider ourselves part of the neighborhood and who better to share and enjoy a glass of wine than with your friends,” explained J. Wilkes Marketing
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