VOICE VALLEY of the Supporting Businesses Owned and Led By Women

As part of its efforts towards Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Valley, the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce encourages its Stakeholder members to give the gift of Chamber Membership to a minority or women owned business of their choosing. We appreciate the leadership of businesses and organizations like Evangelical Community Hospital, who not only give, but also take the time to meet, get to know, and support the diverse businesses in our region.

Insta-glam Salon has only been open for a few months, but is already making a name for itself. Co-owners, Jenna Matzinger and Angie Ortiz met while enrolled in Empire Beauty School and decided to go into business together. Matzinger and Ortiz worked with the Bucknell Small Business Development Center and utilized the George Bradly Scholarship in the pursuit of opening their salon at 49 Airport Road in Selinsgrove. Since opening, the pair have been busy!

In addition to a full slate of hair and nail services, the owners also look to cater to some underserved groups in the valley. Matzinger has a very personal experience in caring for a child with special needs and has taken that knowledge to help others who can benefit from customized care in a salon setting. Insta-Glam’s first “Special Needs Haircut” event was held February 4th and all available slots were taken. A second event is scheduled for March 25th and weeks in advance, reservations were filling up. The events utilize reduced sensory stimulation and private appointments, as well as accommodating other requests as needed.

Insta-Glam also has made extra effort to serve the Spanish speaking population of the valley. In addition to menus and marketing materials posted in both English & Spanish, coowner, Angie Ortiz is bi-lingual and provides a sense of home and belonging to her Spanish speaking customers.

“As an organization with a long history of success built on a foundation of working women, it is an honor and privilege to support and lift up a new business owned and led by women,” said Kendra Aucker, President and CEO of Evangelical Community Hospital.

“The richness of the owners’ bi-lingual background and sensitivity to those in our community with unique needs makes gifting a Chamber Membership even more fulfilling, knowing we are giving them resources to not only have success, but to serve our neighbors in new and diverse ways.”

It is our hope that our business & industry leaders will follow the example set by Evangelical Community Hospital, and continue to value and support the growing number of diverse small businesses and organizations in the Greater Susquehanna Valley.