CHAMBER CONNECTION
SUPPORTING YOUR BUSINESS’S MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE HOLIDAYS
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but for many business owners and employees, it can also be a time of heightened stress. The combination of increased customer demand, year-end deadlines, and the pressure to end the year on a high note can take a toll on mental health. As we approach the busy end-of-year period, it’s important to recognize the value of prioritizing mental well-being, not just for yourself, but for your employees or coworkers as well. Here are some practical strategies to help business owners and their teams navigate the challenges of the holiday season with mental health in mind
Plan Ahead to Reduce Last-Minute Stress
One of the biggest sources of stress during the holidays is the feeling of being rushed or unprepared. To reduce this pressure, make sure you plan as much as possible in advance. Organize key tasks, deadlines, and schedules for the coming weeks to give yourself and your team a clear
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SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAMBER MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Pictured: 23rd Annual Freedom Monument Ceremony
CONTINUED - HOLIDAY SEASON
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,
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
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.
Continued from p.1
roadmap.
Set Realistic Expectations
While it’s tempting to strive for the perfect holiday sales season or to impress clients with extravagant year-end projects, setting overly ambitious goals can set you up for burnout. Be realistic about what you can achieve within the available time frame. Communicate clearly with your team and clients about what’s possible, and don’t hesitate to push back on unrealistic demands. Remember the holiday season is just one part of the year and that maintaining a balance between work and well-being is more important than hitting every target perfectly.
Encourage Breaks and Time Off
It’s easy to fall into the trap of working long hours during the holiday season, but overwork can lead to burnout and decrease overall productivity. Encourage your team—and yourself—to take breaks throughout the day and make time for rest. If your business allows for it, encourage employees to take time off to enjoy the season with their families or simply to recharge. Time away from the office can help boost morale and improve overall mental health. Taking a step back from work also allows people to return refreshed and more productive.
Stress-Reduction Techniques
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can go a long way in reducing holiday stress. Encourage your team to incorporate short practices into their daily routine, whether it’s a 5-minute meditation, a short walk outside, or simple deep breathing exercises. Many
apps and online resources offer guided meditations or stress-relief techniques that can help you and your employees unwind during the day. Mindfulness can also improve focus and emotional well-being, making it easier to handle challenges as they arise.
Lead by Example
Regardless if you’re a business owner, manager or employee, your actions can influence others on your team. If you model self-care and prioritize mental health, your team will feel encouraged to do the same. Lead by example by setting boundaries, taking time for yourself, and checking in on the well-being of others.
The holiday season doesn’t have to be synonymous with stress and burnout. By planning ahead, setting realistic goals, fostering a supportive work environment, encouraging breaks, and practicing mindfulness, you can ensure that both your business and its people stay healthy, productive, and resilient during this busy time of year.
Above all, happy holidays as we venture into this festive time with family and friends!
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 editorials.
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 Fall 2024 edition featuring organizations and groups that help promote mental health and wellness in our Santa Maria Valley communtiy!
Scan to read the Fall 2024 Magazine.
LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: KLONDIKE PIZZA
In this month’s Local Business Spotlight, Pamela Dennis, co-owner of Klondike Pizza, speaks about the longtime Santa Maria business’ path to creation and how they have become so entrenched in the community.
CHECK OUT OUR MOST RECENT SHOWCASE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KLONDIKE PIZZA!
For more information, please reach out to Romina Montemurro, Communications Coordinator via email at romina@santamaria.com
Scan to view this month’s spotlight.
Pictured: Pamela Dennis, co-owner of Klondike Pizza, speaks about the settling on the Central Coast and how they give back through not just great pizza, but community involvement.
Drones, a gun sniffing police dog, and a fire engine display were all a part of the agenda on Nov. 1. The LSMV class had the day full of lessons from subject matter experts in public safety and transportation, and how integral they play a role in our day to day lives within the city.
The day began with a visit to the Santa Maria Police Department. Police Chief Marc Schneider gave a thorough presentation about the Police Department. He elaborated on the important work police officers do every day to help people and keep the city safe, highlighting the statistics from last year to this year, and their proactive approach to mitigating all incidents. The class then went on a tour of the police station, exploring different areas and seeing firsthand what it’s like to be a police officer, and the different departments of SMPD, including forensics, dispatch, detective work, and behind the scenes of how they operate. The SMPD K9 Unit which consists of Officer Kulp and Odin, made a presentation on how important Odin
LEADERSHIP SANTA MARIA VALLEY PUBLIC SAFETY DAY
is to high circumstance operations. Odin the K9, showed his unique skill set and temperament through training videos and composure within the presentation.
After lunch, it was time for a special talk from Mark Van de Kamp, the Public Information Manager for the City of Santa Maria. He shared some of his wisdom from his experience working within the City, like being able to communicate effectively during a crisis. His presentation about servant leadership emphasized how crucial communication and teamwork play a huge role in keeping the city running smoothly.
Followning that talk, Fire Chief Brad Dandridge spoke about the fire department and its foreseeable future. Highlighting his start in the fire department, and how safety and regimen are key components that guide the actions of the fire department. A presentation from Overwatch Aero, the premier provider of aerial data acquisition and dissemination, was given too. They brought one of their unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and showed with live imagery how they are able to monitor and and respond in real time, when it comes to providing geographic data almost instantaneously, with their aerial data collection.
The class gained valuable insights into public safety and transportation as they engaged with subject matter experts and experienced
hands-on demonstrations.
The day highlighted the vital roles these services play in maintaining the safety of the city. Participants left with a deeper understanding of the dedication and innovation behind the city’s public safety services.
All of these key insights went hand in hand with the theme of the day and helped paint picture of how integral these services are. Kristin Mier highlighted the value of family. Amy Blanchard shared how change is always coming, and how overcoming adversity begins one step at a time . Sharla Simms iterated on learning how to choose your battle when it comes to important life decisions.
A special thank you to the Santa Maria Police and Fire Department for allowing an in depth tour and sharing a better understanding to the operations that it takes to run a city!
CHAMBER IN ACTION
Here’s a look at what our Chamber & our member businesses have been up to this past month. 4
1. Lots of engagement at an information session regarding Paid Work Experience in collaboration with the Workforce Development Board of Santa Barbara.
2. Thank you to all who attended our New Member Orientation this month! Welcome to the Chamber.
3. Mayor Alice Patino and Acting City Manager Chuen Wu provide updates about matters of Santa Maria during the Annual State of the City event. Issues focused on included preparing steps to correct its significant budget deficit, which may include new revenue sources, service reductions and use of one-time reserves. For those interested, a recording of the presentation will be available on the City of Santa Maria’s YouTube channel or upon
request by emailing yuliana@santamaria.com
4. Thank you to all who came out to honor our Santa Maria Valley veterans at the 23rd Annual Freedom Monument Ceremony. May we always remember the brave sacrifice these men made for our freedom and community.
5. An amazing teacher tour focused on Healthcare at Mission Hope, Family Services Agency and Movement for Life!
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 October 2024!
Director: SMI HVAC Services (805) 567-7030 www.smihvacservices.com
Investor:
Idler’s Home - Paso Robles (805) 238-6020 www.idlershome.com/locations/pasorobles
Idler’s Home - San Luis Obispo (805) 543-6600
www.idlershome.com/locations/sanluis-obispo
Investor:
Idler’s Home - SLO Sleep & Comfort Studio (805) 269-6600
www.idlershome.com/locations/sleepstudio
Member: Been There Caught That LLC (805) 348-3400 www.beentherecaughtthat.com
Central Coast Web Design (805) 354-8830 www.centralcoast-webdesign.com
Edward Jones - Troy Prober (805) 925-1304
www.edwardjones.com/us-en/financialadvisor/troy-prober
Valley View Estates Homes (805) 689-7248
www.valleyviewestateshomes.com
Member: JAYBIRD Brand + Creative + Marketing Consultancy (805) 714-9227
https://jaybird.agency/
Serendipity Event Rentals (805) 321-8541
www.serendipityeventrentals.net
DO YOU HAVE EMPLOYEES OUT ON CALIFORNIA PAID FAMILY LEAVE?
ON 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!
ATTENTION: CHAMBER CONNECTION WILL BE GOING DIGITAL
The Chamber Connection is moving digital! In 2025, the Chamber Connection will be available online, sent out in a monthly email. If you’re not already signed up for our e-mailing list, be sure to sign up available on our website www.santamaria.com or email romina@santamaria.com to put you on the email list.
email romina@santamaria.com.
