Chamber members and guests had our latest mixer at the new Robeks Juice location on Foothill in the Home Depot center. Held on the 27th of July, James the manager opened his doors to more than 35 chamber folks as we sampled the many juices and food items available. One of the only juice bars in town, this business is an exciting addition to the many new food locations opening up here in San Fernando, and a great new member of the Chamber. Next time you visit, tell them the Chamber sent you!
Our Coffee with the Chamber event has become a great success. As we began to reorginize after Covid subsided, the Chamber board wanted to increase our visibility and let the local businesses know were here to help. Our Event committee planned a monthly morning event where board members and businesses of all types can meet in a casual atmosphere and discuss all things business. Over the past 6 months we have invited city officials, business leaders and many others to meet our membership and discuss ways to help recover from the Pandemic. Please join us the first Tuesday of every month. Watch our instagram for the flyer because this event moves around town to different Coffee locations!
Your San Fernando City Chamber of Commerce recently held our installation of officers for 2022. This installation certified the interim executive board and serving board members who have been working for over two years keeping the chamber active through the Covid Pandemic. This event set the stage for the next 18 months of leadership positions and gave some new members places in our board as well as committees.
Board members being sworn-in by our new Chief Fabian Valdez
Bringing a gravity to the event was the inclusion of the new San Fernando Chief of Police, Fabian Valdez, who officially installed our officers and performed the swearing in ceremony.
The event was held at one of San Fernandos newest restaurant locations, Bodevi, a Wine and coffee bar located on the San Fernando Mall near Brand. This retro 70’s location provided the perfect vibe for our casual installation ceremony.
Below is the list of our newest board members:
President, 7/22 through 12/22: Adriana Gomez, Aszkenazy Development
Incoming President 1/23: Ira Heart, Ira Heart Allstate Insurance Agency
Treasurer, Victor Martinez, Victor Martinex Bookeeping and Accounting
Board Members:
Saul Sandoval, Damon Martin, Rosa Ruvalcaba, Natasha Madarian, Pricilla Estrada, Tom Ross, Christina Bernal
LA COUNTY LAUNCHES COVID19 SAFETY COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
LA County launched the COVID-19 Safety Compliance Certificate Program (CSCCP) to further help educate and train business owners on the implementation of LA County’s COVID-19 safety protocols.
CSCCP is a no-cost online training course that educates business owners on the essentials of the County Health Officer’s Orders – including what they need to do to ensure business practices are aligned (and in compliance) with infection control and physical distancing requirements.
After completing the training, businesses will receive a COVID-19 Safety Compliance Certificate that can be posted on storefronts. The window seal informs customers that your business has been trained in COVID-19 protocols, thereby offering businesses, employees, and consumers alike the added reassurance that essential training has been completed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. CSCCP training can be accessed online through DPH’s COVID-19 website at publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/covid19cert.htm and will be available in 13 languages.
Read the announcement for more on the COVID-19 Safety Compliance Certification Program. For the latest information on LA County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit covid19.lacounty.gov or follow us @CountyofLA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The new Small Business Weekly podcast brings to our members a depth of information and insight on the challenges and rewards of being an entrepreneur. Each week Host Tom Ross interviews industry leaders, government officials, and business consultants who share their experience and brainstorm different ideas that can help businesses of all kinds grow.
In one of the early episodes, Tom interviews Sandy Guzman, the president of our chamber. She shares her business-startup stories and struggles, and provides a virtual pep-talk to those businesses who think that Covid is a mountain to high to climb.
LA Regional COVID Fund is even better with a few key updates. The LA COVID Grant Fund Round 4 will open on August 31, 2020. This round will have the following updates:
Adding an additional grant opportunity for for-profit entities with gross revenues of $1,000,000-$5,000,000. Eligible entities will receive a $25,000 grant.
Once an applicant applies during Round 4, you will NOT have to re-apply for future rounds. All responses will be saved for future finalist draws! However, if you applied in Rounds 1, 2, 0r 3, you must apply one more time to be eligible
Please note, all prior Round finalists have since been contacted. If you were not selected as a finalist, you were not contacted.
The Round 4 application period will be open on August 31, 2020. Your application must be completed by Friday, September 4, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Find the application and the new eligibility standards on the lacovidfund.org website.
Friday February 22nd the chamber hosted the first open Membership Lunch at the Life Center facility here in San Fernando. The event was sponsored by several of our members and included our featured guest speaker California State Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg.
over 50 members and guests were treated to a great lunch by Stonefire Grille in the beautiful main hall of the Life Center. Outfitted with the latest audio and video technology, this room was a showcase for our speakers and guests. Chair of the Government Affairs Committee Tom Ross acted as host for the program, and opened the event with a list of the chambers accomplishments and plans for the future. Key among these is our close relationship with the city of San Fernando and helping to steer the business agenda, the establishment of our Business Explorer post 1911 for educating youth about business, and our involvement in starting the process of forming a Business Improvement District (BID) here in San Fernando.
Chamber President Adriana Gomez spoke about the importance of creating a cohesive business advocacy group through the chamber. As we reach 90 members and growing we are taking seriously the responsibility of business leadership and passing that on to our members encouraging their involvement as well. The future is a bright one if we all are moving forward.
The lineup included short talks from our Mayor Joel Fahardo, and our new City Manager Nick Kimball. Joel pledged his support for the chamber, and the chambers efforts on the BID, and he expressed his optimism that we as a city are moving in the right direction. Our newly appointed City Manger Nick Kimball mentioned that his experience as the finance director of San Fernando along with his over 7 years working in the city gives him great insight and allows him hit the ground running as city Manager. Nick understands the importance of a healthy and diverse business community and has pledged his support for the Chambers efforts. Were glad to have both of these people behind our membership and San Fernando’s businesses.
Members of the SFCCC Board receive recognition from Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg
Senator Hertzberg took the stage and gave us a great talk on the state of our Sacramento government, how it impacts us here, and some key ways he can help us in our efforts. San Fernando is the only city that is completely surrounded by his district. He sees the great possibilities and potential of our city and has recognized the rapid growth of the Chamber as a sign of our maturity as a business community. Sen Hertzberg has already provided over five million dollars in funds for the renovation of our water systems in San Fernando that will allow us to keep our Water Independence. Many in the audience were unaware that San Fernando is the only city in Los Angeles that is not purchasing all its water from the Metropolitan Water District. While we are a customer of MWD, by renovating and modernizing our water infrastructure, we can assure our future independence and reduction of total costs. He also pledged to support the BID efforts to help grow and support the business in town, and looks forward to working with the city staff and Chamber staff on building San Fernando. One of his important projects that will help us in many ways is his commitment to the homeless and helping to find housing and care for those on the streets. He sees this problem as a ‘human” issue, not a political one. Cleaning up our off-ramp leading into town, and the streets and back alleys must involve seeing that those who populate these areas are given an opportunity to transition back into society in a respectful and humane manor. In this way we have more investment in the neighborhood, we have cleaner streets, less crime, healthier conditions, and everyone wins.
After his remarks the Senator took photos and presented the chamber board with certificates of recognition, and spent time with many in the audience discussing their issues. We are truly privileged here in San Fernando to have the attention and interest of one of the states most influential elected officials. We thank him and his staff for being our guests, it was a pleasure!
Last month many of our local businesses met for an informal “Business Roundtable” discussion. As part of our breakfast education series, the chamber wanted to give business a chance to not just sit and listen to a presenter, but to be the presenter themselves. Each person brought with them specific, unique and interesting challenges they have expierenced. Everyone around the table had input to give and advice for each. This forum lent itself to lively discussions that included HR issues, hiring procedures, proper ways to quote customers for contract work, and much more.
This event was so successful that we are planning a followup for 2019 and expand on the format. The more people who attend the more advice, and unique situations we can discuss. This learn-by-doing discussion format becomes a great incubator for new ideas and business relationships. So watch your email for our next event and don’t miss it!!
Part of the mission of the chamber is to be an educational conduit for businesses and the community. To this end the chamber has pledged to support our local students through our scholarship program as they begin their journey into higher education. As the treasurer for the San Fernando City Chamber of Commerce it was a great honor and privilege to be able to disperse our first scholarship award to a young man named Fernando from San Fernando high school. Fernando is a business major looking to attend UC Santa Barbara in the fall. He was so excited to receive the scholarship at an event held at the school last week. He explained that he’s preparing to use the money to purchase a computer that he can use throughout his college years.
This would not have been possible without the growth of the chamber over the last several years. Thanks to the hard work of our board and your participation in fundraising, volunteering, and recruitment of new members, we are now able to provide these scholarships directly to the future of our community, our graduating students. With your help and the growth of the chamber through fundraising and membership, we are committed to help more students next year and the years to come.
Please remember as chamber members your donations, through sponsoring a table at an event, donating a prize basket at a mixer, or recruiting a member, helps us represent our business community in so many ways. If your inspired to help expand our scholarship program we welcome your participation and donations. Contact us through our staff at director@sanfernando.com.
