TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211
COMMUNITY NEWS GROUP • JUNE 5, 2009
Norwalk Chamber of Commerce 12040 Foster Road Norwalk, Ca 90650 PH: 562.864.7785 FX: 562.864.8539
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT Susan Arthur Norwalk Toyota PAST PRESIDENT Teri Bazen Norwalk La Mirada Plumbing VP FINANCE Betty Chacon Wells Fargo Bank PRESIDENT ELECT Teri Bazen Norwalk La Mirada Plumbing VP COMMUNICATIONS/SECRETARY Rob Cazares Outback Steakhouse AMBASSADOR CHAIR Rob Cazares Outback Steakhouse EVENTS CHAIR Susan Arthur Norwalk Toyota CHAMBER DEVELOPMENT CHAIR Jesse Urquidi Norwalk Lions Club HBC/SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CHAIR Maria Grimaldo Farmers Insurance LEGISLATION CHAIR Julia Emerson So. Cal. Gas Company Richard LeGaspi TNT Fireworks Reggie Berry Coast Plaza Hospital NFL Retired Players“Goals for Life” Annette Trejo Costco Wholesale Mike Sims Sims Creditor Service Joseph Derthick AFLAC Eric Lopez Reach Local Amy Condit Community Family Guidance Center Lynda Fisher Wal-Mart Toni Grijalva Cerritos College City Council Liaison Mike Mendez
New Members VT Consulting Michael Van Tassell 14608 Benfield Ave. Norwalk, CA 90650 562-715-3768
Illusion Bridal Lourdes Chavez 11912 Rosecrans Ave Norwalk, CA 90650 562-868-5596 Brennan Signs & Graphics Jim & Judith Brennan bsp@vipmail.com 562-921-5859 DaeWoo International Betty Hwangbo 12145 Mora Dr. #10 Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 The following members renewed their membership with the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce and the services we provide are made possible by of their support. “Support the Businesses that Support Economic Growth in Norwalk”
Anniversaries 1 Year Sizzler Restaurant 2 Years AppleCare Medical Group Central Basin Municipal Water District 3 Years Wal-Mart The Node Bookstore & Café 5 Years Richmond Aircraft Products Norwalk True Value Hardware 7 Years Office Depot
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MAY 2009 L.A. CADA 9 Years TVB Holdings (USA), Inc El Taco Loco Davis Industrial Pipe 12 Years Town & Country Dentistry Norwalk Vacuum 13 Years ABC Unified School District
32nd Annual Golf Tournament The Norwalk Chamber’s 32nd Annual Golf Tournament hits the mark of a success! Golfers enjoyed the Westridge Golf Club’s many amenities and the weather cooperated. At the end of the day, a delicious dinner was served during the Award Banquet. All competed to win the contests held throughout the tournament. First Place Team winners were from Norwalk La Mirada Plumbing - Don Skala, Dean
Contest had a tie between Bob Arthur and Don Skala. We look forward to next year and thank all who participated. Sponsorships and raffle prize donations made this event top of its class! We would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to the following Sponsors! Our Platinum Sponsors, Supervisor Don Knabe and Wal-Mart. Gold Sponsors Norwalk La Mirada Plumbing and Unifirst Corpo-
25 Years NewMark Merrill Development Company Diana’s Restaurant 14 Years Chinese Taste Fast Food 28 Years Norwalk Records 32 Years Stater Brothers – Alondra Stater Bothers – Firestone 33 Years Southern California Gas Company Southern California Edison 46 Years Norwalk La Mirada Plumbing
A Message from the Chamber President “We are enjoying sluggish times and not enjoying them very much!”
Best score team Norwalk/La Mirada Plumbing’s Don Skala, Dean Stathos, Mark Wallace and Larry Gagnon with Board Member Teri Bazen and Chamber President Susan Arthur.
George Bush – Forty-first President of the USA
The current recession is as much consumer-driven as it is business-driven, which makes it more severe and far-reaching than the last two recessions. This means that both business-to-consumer companies and business-to-business concerns are negatively impacted by the recessionary demandshocks. It’s time to get bold! Now is not the time to second guess every decision you are about to make. It is time to get bold and entrepreneurial, to look at new options and opportunities and think about how you could do things better. Don’t sit idle. Now more than ever, using your Chamber membership and the power of the NETWORK is a perfect way to get things kick-started. Expand your network – there’s never been a better time. Every Chamber event is a networking event. Come out and come often. Attendance at Chamber events is at record levels. Look beyond generating business from attendees and focus on helping them understand what YOU DO so they can refer you to THEIR NETWORK! The key is to do the same for them. It really works. Talk to members about what they are experiencing. There is great value in speaking to people beyond the obvious business generation potential. Ask other business owners what they’re experiencing and what they are going about it. You’ll be surprised what you can learn. Hone your ability to communicate what you do. This strategy is prospect research at its cheapest and most direct. Using your Chamber membership to its fullest extent is arguable your most cost-effective tool to combat recessionary times. You just need to USE IT! I hope to see you at the next Chamber event. Just a note – Congratulations and THANK YOU! To our local bankers who are indeed BANKING ON THE FUTURE. See you soon… Susan Arthur President
Board Member Reggie Berry with Live Auction winner Ed Pickens from Scoreboard 2. Reggie donated a signed and framed plaque from many retired NFL football players. Thank you to Ed for bidding on this item, it will look great in your bar!ˆ Stathos, Larry Gagnon, and Mark Wallace. The winner for closest to the pin and longest drive was Mark Akin. The Putting
Putting contest winners Don Skala and Bob Arthur with President Susan Arthur. ration. Silver Sponsors Norwalk Auto Auction and Norwalk Toyota; Golf Cart Sponsors Outback Steakhouse, beverage sponsor Ramhall Corporation and our Hole-in-One Sponsor Norwalk Toyota.
CAPC Mixer CAPC is a nonprofit corporation that empowers individuals with disabilities to maximize the quality of their lives in their home communities. CAPC provides comprehensive servic-
es for adults with disabilities in the greater Whittier area. Individualized instructional and support services are based in each person’s desired lifestyle. A person who has a disability typically has minimal choices – decision such as where to work, live, and recreate are often made by others. People often have the misconception that someone with a disability has limited potential. CAPC continues to be a leader in changing society’s perception and expectations. People with disabilities are being given opportunities to live productive, fulfilling lives. Please visit CAPC’s Chamber President Susan Arthur with Board member Terry Ramey and Chamber Executive Director website at www.capcinc.org or phone them at 562-693Vivian Hansen at the 2009 Kaleidoscope mixer. 8826 for more information.
8 COMMUNITY NEWS GROUP • JUNE 5, 2009
TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211
Norwalk Chamber of Commerce 12040 Foster Road Norwalk, Ca 90650 PH: 562.864.7785 FX: 562.864.8539
MAY 2009
What's on your "to don't" list?
April Networking Luncheon
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s a business owner you may struggle with the question of how you will be able to get everything done. This is especially true for independent service professionals and solo entrepreneurs. There are only so many hours in the day, this isn't going to change. So something else has to. And if you spend almost all of your time working in your business, you don't have time for the rest of your life. Isn't it true that some of the reasons you started your own business were so you would have more freedom and fun? If you are stressed out and not able to get the right things done, then your business isn't serving you in the way you intended. The answer is to only focus on the main drivers of your business - the kind of things that are the most important to the growth of your business. I know I can hear you saying that “your business is different and you have dozens of important things you must do.” The truth is that not everything is equally important. It's really a matter of choice and you are the one who can decide how you choose to spend your time. In many cases, in your heart you may know what the most important things are, but somehow loads of other things seem to get in the way. This is where a "to don't" list can come in handy. So instead of a long list of things to do, try turning it around and focusing on what you don't want to do. This will help you stay focused on the right things by default. I would like to encourage you to consider staying focused on your prior-
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Dale Carnegie Training’s Lew McCullough with Chamber President Susan Arthur after a great presentation on Effective First Impressions. Lew McCullough from Dale Carnegie Training was our featured speaker at the April 23rd “Lunch & Learn” Networking Luncheon. Everyone in attendance was enlightened on different ways to make an “Effective First Impression” that can be expanded on to build solid relationships. Lew demonstrated proven techniques to properly introduce yourself - the biggest key to making a successful first impression. We also learned how to take control of the way others perceive us and how using body language can convey positive messages. Those in attendance learned new tools to project an image that is both professional and sincere. The Luncheon was sponsored by Ben-E-Lect. Ben-E-Lect is one of the country’s leading third party administrators (TPAs) and an innova-
tor of “employer driven” medical, dental, and vision plans for small to medium size groups. The company combines high deductible medical and dental plans with its administration and claims services, providing small employers with a seamless, turnkey health benefits solution for the rising cost of health care. BEN-E-LECT has saved thousands of employers 3050% in health care premiums since 1996. The Chamber has endorsed the BED-E-LECT Plans to all Chamber members. Let BEN-E-LECT show you how to lower your group medical and dental cost 30-50%. One of the newest restaurants in Norwalk, Western Sizzlin’ Wood Grill Buffet catered the luncheon. Gary Murphy from Norwalk Florist provided a floral arrangement for the raffle.
SAVE THE DATES! Wednesday, June 24th
Workshop program “Business Provisions of the Federal stimulus act Call 562-864-7784 for information
Thursday, June 25th
Installation of Officers and Board of Directors Installation of incoming president Teri Bazen Honor retiring board members Awards: Business of the year, volunteer of the year, president’s special award Thank outgoing president Susan Arthur
SBA loan changes may be opportunity for your small business It’s been almost three months since President Obama signed a landmark $787 billion effort to stimulate the choking U.S. economy, and many small business owners are still unclear as to how they might take advantage of loan programs, to stimulate their business or simply hold on through tough times. Here are a few ways that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), as a guarantor of loans, is supporting small business needs: 7(a) Loans: These loans can be used to start a new business or to assist in the operation, acquisition or expansion of an existing business. The SBA has raised its guarantee to 90%, meaning a loan of $100,000 would now have $90,000 guaranteed by the SBA. The idea is to reduce the financial risk to banks in hopes of stimulating more lending to small business. Additionally, the SBA guaranty fees paid by borrowers – traditionally up to 3.75% of the loan amount – are temporarily waived for most of these loans, reducing the financial burden to small business owners. (Of note, if you paid fees on a 7(a) loan approved since February 17, 2009, you may be eligible for a refund.) 504 Loans: 504 loans are structured to provide small to mid-size businesses the opportunity to purchase fixed assets, such as land, buildings and longterm capital equipment, while assuming a fraction of the risk of traditional loans. The SBA will extend this program so that if your project involves business expansion, you may use up to 50% of the new loan for refinancing of existing debt used to purchase fixed assets. For example, if you are approved for a new $1,000,000 loan through this program to expand your business right now, you may be eligible to refinance up to $500,000 of an existing fixed asset loan at the new, likely lower, interest rate. Additionally, the borrower fees for 504 loans are temporarily waived. Surety Bonds: Through its Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) Program, the SBA will now guarantee surety bonds for contracts up to $5 million. This new maximum (up from $2 million) will provide more opportunity to bid on larger contracts, to those small and minority contractors who qualify. ARC Loans: If your business is having trouble covering its current debt obligations, the SBA’s newest loan program, ARC, may be able to help. The America’s Recovery Capital (ARC) loan program will provide up to $35,000 of funding to viable small businesses to make payments on existing, qualifying loans for up to six months. With no payments required for up to 12 months after the loan is fully disbursed, these loans are designed to assist with immediate cash flow needs and help small businesses keep their doors open. Since this is a brand new loan program for the SBA, there will likely be a number of kinks to work out in the coming months as the program is introduced. While these changes to SBA pro-
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TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211
COMMUNITY NEWS GROUP • JUNE 5, 2009
Norwalk Chamber of Commerce 12040 Foster Road Norwalk, Ca 90650 PH: 562.864.7785 FX: 562.864.8539
9
MAY 2009
New Members
Cartridge World How can I reduce costs and help the environment?
Kanul Gorakshakar with Chamber President Susan Arthur
Cartridge World, The Global Ink & Toner Experts, provides ink and toner cartridges for 30-50% less then the big box offices. Most cartridges are remanufactured right in our store in Cerritos and can be delivered to your business anywhere in the United States. Cartridge World Cerritos is part of a franchise network of nearly 1,700 locations in over 50 countries! With over 650 stores in the United States alone, more and more customers are quickly learning the financial and environmental benefits of using Cartridge World's 100% guaranteed printer cartridges. With our current economic situation we need to find creative ways to reduce expenses. Today is the time to make the change. Call our office to schedule a FREE analysis of your ink and toner costs, so we can show you how much we can reduce your budgetCall us at 562-402-1035
Boneyard Drums
Patrick & Mary Cottle with Norwalk Chamber President Susan Arthur
BoneYard Drums is a growing local business. They repair, build, supply drums, drum parts & more. We also rent P.A. equipment, bass guitar amps, Band Instruments and now conduct Children Programs! Currently they make equipment available to local school students and Event Promoters in Los Angeles and Orange County for concerts, club promotions and local consumers for DJ rentals. Make your next promotion a BoneYard Success! You can contact Patrick Cottle at 562-879-2780 or www. boneyarddrums.com.
Education Fund & Lucille Colln Assistance Awards ABOUT NORWALK CHAMBER EDUCATION FUND INCLUDING THE LUCILLE COLLN ASSISTANCE AWARDS The Norwalk Chamber of Commerce Education Fund was established by the then Chamber Board Member Lucille Colln, in August 1989. She held the position as Chairperson until 2000. Lucille Colln passed away peacefully on December 31, 2005. The Education Fund’s purpose is to assist in expanding the educational opportunities for Norwalk Chamber members and their employees and students of the local Norwalk high schools/ colleges who are Norwalk residents. The fund will provide as many Assistance Awards annually as funding will permit. The amounts will vary per year, per recipient.
OBJECTIVES To provide financial aid to those who would like to further their career goals and increase their opportunities for advancement in the business community. To provide monetary assistance for education to applicants who demonstrate the need for financial aid.
ELIGIBILITY Financial Awards are available to any individual who is employed by a Member in good standing of the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce and/or a Senior High School student of a Norwalk high school or college student who a resident of Norwalk. Employment can either be full-time or part-time. Certificated employees of educational institutions are not eligible.
DONATIONS Financial contributions can be made to the Education Fund by contacting the Norwalk Chamber office.
APPLICATIONS Please contact the Norwalk Chamber office to request an application. The deadline to submit an application is July 17, 2009.
Norwalk Chamber of Commerce | 12040 Foster Road | Norwalk, CA 90650 Phone: 562.864.7785 | Fax: 562.864.8539 | Email: ceo@norwalkchamber.com
Facebook: Not Just For Fun Anymore Remember when Facebook was simply a great way to stay connected with friends and family? Perhaps you don’t. Perhaps you were never caught up in the “What are you doing right now?” age and could care less which comic hero your friends are most like or how many virtual drinks you have accumulated on your Facebook profile page. Nonetheless, Facebook can be a great way to stay connected, and not just with friends, but with current and potential customers and employees. In fact, companies large and small are taking advantage of Facebook’s instant grass-roots communication to promote their brands, market events, hire talent and, at times, provide real impact on their bottom line. To get your creative juices flowing, let’s take a look at a few examples of how various organizations have approached this relatively new medium: A small local publisher of children’s books, Megan Hearts, has been using Facebook since 2008. By using the Facebook “events” feature to announce book tour events with compelling pictures and dialogue, they have grown their fan base from just a few friends to more than 3,500. Recently, one particular event, promoted solely through Facebook, yielded sales of almost 200 books. JetBlue uses “The JetBlue Experience” group on Facebook to create a conversation among flyers about the unique combination of value, service and style the airline offers. It uses this platform to announce plans for new areas of service and to receive candid feedback on its service. A forum for back-and-forth discussion such as this takes the suggestion box concept to another level, where each user can build on each other’s comments and hopefully get to the heart of the issue or idea. MobWars, a mafia-style Facebook “application” (in this case, a game), allows players to build a mob, stockpile guns and vehicles, and “fight” other mobsters. If you have a hard time recruiting friends to your mob, you can earn “favor points” to buy mercenaries – you will just need to buy real-world products from MobWars sponsors (That’s advertising revenue to MobWars, with rumors suggesting upwards of $1 million per month.). Accounting giant Ernst & Young has found, through its “Ernst & Young Careers” page, a unique way to connect with college graduates searching for employment.
Theme Park Tickets On Sale For Members Only
Through Facebook, Ernst & Young is able to engage these potential employees in a comfortable environment, discuss the values of the company, and provide direct interaction with hiring managers. The use of videos in particular offers a great inside look into a day in the life of an Ernst & Young employee. There are a few keys to success with Facebook and other social media. First, it takes time and effort. Think of social media not so much as marketing, but as building relationships through conversation. Relationships take time – nurturing, building trust, and answering questions – and you get out of it what you put in. Because this relationship is online, you need to lighten up and show some personality to engage your audience in a dialogue that is important to them. Second, be a helper, not a salesperson. Generation Y and other social media users can smell a rat a mile away. Leave the salesperson mentality at home. Provide value first, and then you and your brand will be valued and supported virally. Third, do what you say you are going to do. In social media, the single voice can boom loudly either in support or in rejection of your claims or actions. So, always follow through in order to build trust. Lastly, remember that Facebook and other social media outlets are great tools, but should be just one component of an integrated marketing plan. For more information on using Facebook for your business, visit www.facebook.com or call the Long Beach Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at (562) 570-4574. The SBDC has knowledgeable social media advisors and has helped numerous clients in the greater Long Beach area sustain and grow. Bret O’Connor is the Director of the Long Beach Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Hosted by Long Beach City College, the SBDC is a group of successful small business owners helping fellow entrepreneurs start, sustain, and grow their business through low-cost workshops and free one-on-one consulting in business planning, finance, marketing, and various other specialty areas (Spanish speaking consultants available). To make an appointment call: (562) 5704574, or email: sbdcinfo@lbcc.edu.
(Does not include parking – some black out days) LEGOLAND All Ages: $45.00 (Save $18 adult & $8 child) AQUARIUM (Long Beach) KNOTT’S THEME PARK Adults: $16.95 (ages 12+) (Save $7) Adults: $26.99 (ages 12+) (Save Kids: $11.95 (ages 3-11) $13) DISNEYLAND Child: $18.99 (ages 3-11) (Save SoCal Resident 2fer Tickets $1) Adults: $60.00 (ages 10+) (Save UNIVERSAL STUDIOS $9) One Day Pass: $49.00 (Save $15) Child: $52.00 (ages 3-9) (Save $7) “Buy A Day-Get A Year” 1-Day Park Hopper (Annual Pass): $64.00 (Save $10) Adults: $70.00 (ages 10+) (Save Front of the Line Pass: $94.00 $24) (Save $15) (all ages) Child: $62.00 (ages 3-9) (Save $22)
10 COMMUNITY NEWS GROUP • JUNE 5, 2009
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Continued from page 10
TO ADVERTISE CALL 800-901-7211
-and the proper marketing mindset-every day, you'll soon find that you're going above and beyond your "three to five things" limit. You'll find yourself talking and thinking in terms of headlines or talking, listening and thinking in terms of your customers and prospects' benefits. And the more you think marketing, the greater the chance you'll accomplish your marketing and overall business goals.”
ities and add a marketing touch to your everyday activities. Research shows that when you do anything for 21 days it becomes a habit. Marketing guru, Al Lautenslager says, “… A marketing habit is a great thing for any business to have. So what I'm going to suggest is that you choose three to five things every day that are related to marketing for your business and do them at the SBA beginning of the day before you start Continued from page 10 fighting the daily fires--and forget all grams lower the relative risk to lendabout your planned tasks. If you work ers and reduce 08-BHP-006 ChamberAd_1.0.qxp:10x15-PRGF_PRCC 6/4/08 expenses 4:43 PM for Pageeligible 1 on this developing a marketing habitborrowers, they do not guarantee your
small business will receive a loan. In these difficult times, the same rules still apply – you will still need a sound business plan, a track record of success, and detailed, accurate financials to increase your chances of securing funding from a bank. For more detailed information on SBA loans, check out the “Services” section of www.sba.gov, or simply call the Long Beach Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at (562) 570-4574. The SBDC works closely with the SBA and has assisted numerous small business clients in the area with access to the capital needed to sustain and grow.
www.norwalkchamber.com
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