We recently welcomed FC Mortgage Consultants as a WVCBA member! Broker/realtor Graciela "Cessy" Figueroa founded the business in Oxnard in 2005 and is driven by the company's mission of "service beyond sale." Her team looks forward to assisting you with your real estate mortgage loans, prequalification to purchase, refinance and reverse mortgage needs.
What’s one thing the business is known for over its competitors? Practice of the Golden Rule, commitment and dedication to people in need of our services. This is where I live and I would love to help my community shine over all other counties. Are there any new or upcoming projects/products/events/etc. you can tell us about? I always have seminars, whether for two or 20 people. I love to give knowledge to our clients because knowledge is power. I do my projects and seminars as needed. How can the community help the business? Word of mouth is very important in all businesses. It’s more than how the community can help me; it’s how can I help my community? That is the question. Please add any additional details or information you want readers to know. I am a Peruvian immigrant. When we were little, my parents brought me and my two brothers to this beautiful country where we were told we can live the American Dream and this is the country of opportunities. And you know what? They were impeccable statements that were so true. I want to tell everyone.... si se puede! Get to know Irene Nishinaka, a Camarillo resident for over 35 years, and an independent, local business owner representing Aflac. She's our "Maven of the Month" member spotlight this week brought to you by our Women In Business committee. You can contact Irene at (805) 402-6611 or via email at irene_nishinaka@us.aflac.com.
Thank you to all those who took the time to submit nominations for the WVCBA’s 2021 Top 10 Community Awards for Camarillo! The Selection Committee met on September 15 and we are excited to announce this year’s honorees who will be celebrated Friday, November 5 during our Top 10 Community Awards evening gala.
Our Member Spotlight this week comes from our monthly Business@Breakfast networking events, which feature a guest speaker and provide attendees with an opportunity to promote their businesses. John attended our September 2021 breakfast and was selected to be highlighted in our newsletter, blog and social media.
Why did I join the WVCBA? I joined as one way to become more involved in our community and to see how my 40-plus years of senior-level leadership might be helpful to others in our community. I look forward to meeting and helping more members as our community expands. About Triad Leadership Group Maxwell has written almost 100 books and the John Maxwell Team is the largest leadership training organization in the world with 40,000 certified members. Our website www.TriadLeadershipGroup.com gives additional information about our programs and services, including our Youth Leadership program. About John Gardner In addition to my own leadership background, I became certified with the John Maxwell Team to use their content and methods for speaking, coaching and training for adults, high school students and early college youth. I am happy to be part of the WVCBA to include leading our leadership roundtables and now perhaps helping with the Oxnard Employee Pipeline. John Gardner, Executive Director Triad Leadership Group 818-292-7156 John.Gardner@TriadLeadershipGroup.com www.TriadLeadershipGroup.com Each year, our Education Committee selects six individuals within Camarillo-area schools as “Educator of the Month.” As a part of this presentation, honorees receive a plaque and custom tote bag (in their school colors) that includes donated gifts from the business community.
This year’s donation deadline is October 15, 2021. In order to fairly award each recipient, we ask for a total of 6 donations, valued at the minimum amount of $25 each. Your donation gives you the opportunity to congratulate the educators and also gain exposure to the community. You are welcome to drop off items at the WVCBA Camarillo location (4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., Suite B) during regular business hours. If you would like someone from our office to come to you, we are happy to accommodate this. The West Ventura County Business Alliance's Tax Identification Number is included, should you need it for reporting and recording purposes. TIN 95-1074180 Once awardees are chosen, the WVCBA coordinates with school principals to present the award and tote bag. Because of COVID-19, each district has different protocols for on-campus visitors. Those who donate gifts will be notified prior to the presentation if visitors are allowed to attend. On behalf of the Education Committee and entire Board of Directors, thank you in advance for your support in honoring local educators. With your contribution, we’re able to recognize educators and show our appreciation for all their hard work and dedication to Camarillo’s youth. For more information or have any questions please contact WVCBA Marketing & Social Media Manager Bailey Huerta. We recently welcomed Realtor Betcy Elie with Meridian Capital Real Estate as a WVCBA member! Based in Camarillo and servicing Ventura and Los Angeles counties, Betcy is looking forward to finding homebuyers their dream home; a house with a little 'Je Ne Sais Quoi!' that they will simply love and to sell homeowners' houses for top dollar.
What products or services do you provide? As a Licensed REALTOR, Betcy assists home buyers and home sellers with their real estate transactions from start to finish. How and when did the business get started? Betcy was in real estate for a short three months back in 2008 and returned full-time in 2017 at Keller Williams Realty, West Ventura County, where she stayed for almost four years. As of August 6, 2021, she joined the Meridian Capital Real Estate team. What is the company's mission or motto? Betcy's clients are her #1 priority. She wants to exceed their expectations and make their real estate experience totally enjoyable, rewarding and stress-free. What’s one thing you're known for over your competitors? Tenacity. Why did you choose Ventura County for its location? Betcy is a long-time resident of Camarillo (over 15 years); she is a member of the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors. The company that Betcy has recently joined, Meridian Capital Real Estate, is based in Pasadena, California; thus giving her a great opportunity to service both Ventura County and Los Angeles County. How can the community help? By keeping Betcy Elie, REALTOR in mind, when they are considering buying or selling real estate in Ventura County and/or in Los Angeles County. To know a little bit more about Betcy (with a 'c') Elie, REALTOR, feel free to visit her website at www.betcyelie.realtor. Betcy Elie, REALTOR Meridian Capital Real Estate (805) 910-6443 betcyelie@gmail.com Our Member Spotlight this week about Nancy Fujii with Arbonne International, comes from our monthly Business@Breakfast networking events, which feature a guest speaker and provide you with an opportunity to promote your business.
Why did I join the Chamber/WVCBA? I felt by joining the Chamber it would give me the avenue to meet more people so I can share my story and share my passion of helping others. I also feel the Chamber is a great way of giving back to the community. I’ve been a member for four years. I am an Alliance Ambassador and have joined various Chamber committees. The camaraderie is amazing and helping each other touches my heart. About Arbonne Arbonne is a 41-year-old botanically-based health and wellness company. My passion lies on educating people about health since both my siblings have had multiple strokes in their 40s. Currently my sister has been in a nursing facility for almost 20 years and my brother recently lost his life due to poor health. About Nancy Fujii My name is Nancy Fujii and I am an Area Manager and Independent Consultant with Arbonne International. I hope one day I can meet each and every one of you so we can unite and make this chamber even stronger. Even though my house is divided (UCLA/USC) we live in harmony and that’s what the Chamber feels like…family! Nancy Fujii, Area Manager and Independent Consultant Arbonne International 805 -217-1108 hirameki4u@gmail.com nancyfujii.arbonne.com On Thursday, August 12, the West Ventura County Business Alliance held the 2021 Oxnard Community & Business Awards. Now in its 71st year, the Community & Business Awards honors outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations that make Oxnard a wonderful community to live, work and do business in. Emceed by Oxnard City Manager Alex Nguyen, the awards luncheon was hosted at the Courtyard By Marriott in Oxnard with 100 people in attendance to help celebrate 2021's nine honorees. Last year's awards ceremony was celebrated virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nominations were submitted by the public and reviewed by a selection committee made up of event sponsors. This year's sponsors were Title Sponsor Umpqua Bank; Major Sponsor Procter & Gamble Paper Products; and Supporting Sponsors Rotary Club of Oxnard, Southern California Edison and St. John's Regional Medical Center. In addition to the nominations, the Oxnard Chamber Board of Directors selects an individual, business or organization to receive the Oxnard Trophy for bringing recognition to Oxnard and bettering the community. This year's honoree was Grammy-winning artist Anderson .Paak. The Community & Business Awards was established by the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce. This is the first year it hosted as the WVCBA, the new organization formed in 2021 when the Oxnard and Camarillo chambers of commerce united. The WVCBA is currently seeking nominations for the Camarillo Top 10, which celebrates deserving people, businesses and organizations in that community. We recently welcomed Connect Hearing in Oxnard as a member of the WVCBA community! Connect Hearing is committed to providing industry-leading hearing health care in its nationwide network of hearing centers. Its top-rated hearing care professionals provide expert advice on diagnosing hearing loss and consulting on the latest technology in hearing aids with a main goal of helping individuals have the best quality of life, which starts with better hearing health. You can schedule your free hearing test by calling (805)-485-1290. Learn more at connecthearing.com.
What products or services do you provide? Hearing Healthcare, hearing tests, hearing aid services How and when did the business get started? 2012 What is the company's mission or motto? To our patients, Connect Hearing is more than a community hearing aid provider, we are dedicated to knowing our patients in order to better serve them. To our employees, we are a diverse team of like-minded individuals with the common aim of helping people hear better. Connect Hearing provides a strong network of convenient neighborhood hearing care centers across the country that continually strive to find innovative ways to serve you better. Our Hearing Care Professionals are passionate about helping people to hear better, applying a consistent process to determine the best recommendations for your hearing health. We provide free hearing evaluations and a consultation with a professional with recommendations based upon your individual hearing needs and lifestyle. Patients can qualify for a 2-week FREE trial with hearing aids and every assurance that Connect Hearing will be there every step of the way. Headquartered in the Chicago area, we are a fast growing division of Sonova, the world's leading provider of innovative hearing healthcare solutions. What’s one thing the business is known for over its competitors? Excellent customer service and a community of support for your hearing needs. Our primary goal is to find the right solution for your hearing health needs. Why did the business choose Oxnard/Ventura County for its location? Oxnard has an amazing diverse community with such strong support for each other. Connect Hearing chose Oxnard so we can help those living in the surrounding area hear better and provide access to a high standard quality of services. How can the community help? Spread the word to come in for a free hearing evaluation. We provide affordable solutions to give you the best quality of life so those who struggle to hear don't isolate themselves and fall victim to depression. What else do you want to tell us about the business? Connect Hearing will always go above and beyond to provide the high standards we always strive to achieve. We have many locations throughout not only California but all over the nation. Our patients can attend any clinic they choose to receive our high-quality services. Hannah Younesi, M.A. HIS provides comprehensive hearing evaluations, dispenses hearing aids, and provides excellent follow up care for all her patients. She goes above and beyond when it comes to finding the right solution. Hannah earned her B.S degree at the University of Arizona and shortly after earned her Master's degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She spent 2 years working at the UCH Boulder clinic and University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. She spent time working with individuals who have balance disorders and dedicated time to hosting aural rehabilitation support groups for those that emotionally struggle with hearing loss. She also spent a summer working at the House Ear Institute conducting research on children with cochlear implants and the impact on their speech and language development. She has since worked with Connect Hearing starting in 2017 and recently re-located to southern California. Hannah is passionate about the field of audiology and looks forward to providing the utmost quality of life for each and every patient that walks through our doors. After starting in February 2020 then pausing due to the pandemic, our 2020-21 Oxnard Leadership participants passed the midway point of the 10-session program this month. Session six focused on Energy, which included meeting with leaders from Southern California Edison, Western States Petroleum Association, and SimpliPhi Power and touring the California Oil Museum in Santa Paula. For the first time in 2021, the morning began in-person at the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce for a general overview of the energy system in Ventura County with session coordinator Justin Campbell. Campbell is Director of Remediation and Environmental Compliance Service with Catalyst Environmental Solutions and is a graduate of the Oxnard Leadership Program. He now serves on the program's Steering Committee. Up next was a virtual presentation from Government Relations Manager Dani Anderson from Southern California Edison about their Wildfire Mitigation Plans. From there, the group traveled to the California Oil Museum in Santa Paula to meet with Ben Oakley, Manager of the California Coastal Region for the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA). They also toured the museum and enjoyed lunch in the museum courtyard catered by Flight 126 Cafe and sponsored by Catalyst Environmental Solutions. Their next meeting was at the Ventura County Government Center with Heather Allen and Javier Saucedo from the County's Sustainability Division, learning about the County's Green Business Program and other energy-saving initiatives. The day concluded at SimpliPhi Power, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of energy storage and management systems, where the group met with CEO & Co-Founder Catherine Von Burg and COO Sequoya Cross. Every year, the Oxnard Leadership Program leads participants through 10 unique, day-long experiences to gain a better understanding and appreciation of Oxnard and the surrounding areas’ realities, opportunities and challenges. Each session includes visits to various locations and provides participants with a unique opportunity to meet key business and government leaders who play integral roles in the region. Learn more about the Oxnard Leadership Program. Our Member Spotlight this week comes from our monthly Business@Breakfast networking events, which feature a guest speaker and provide you with an opportunity to promote your business. Why did I join the Chamber? I joined the chamber in January 2020 to get more involved in the Ventura County business community, to meet other business owners, and to be a source of information for other businesses. I joined the Oxnard Chamber Ambassadors one month before COVID started, which stopped all in-person meetings. After 18 months, I attended my first ribbon-cutting ceremony! I am excited that the Camarillo and Oxnard Chambers have joined because together we are smarter, stronger, and have a bigger voice. I am very much looking forward to meeting members of the Camarillo Chamber. Lots of familiar faces! About PrideStaff PrideStaff is an award-winning staffing and recruiting company with 85 offices around the country. I am the owner of the offices in Thousand Oaks and Oxnard. We pride ourselves on making staffing personal again. We try to build strong, long-term relations with our clients and our candidates. We provide staffing for office jobs (admin, receptionist, customer service, paralegal, legal assistants, financial staff, and medical front office) as well as light industrial jobs (manufacturing, assembly, and warehouse). About Daan Renssen I am originally from The Netherlands and moved to the USA in 2010. I opened the PrideStaff Thousand Oaks office in 2013 and the Oxnard office in 2017 to realize the American dream. I love working with the local business community. When I am not working, I enjoy our beautiful nature walking my two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, hiking, or mountain biking, and enjoy some of the amazing restaurants in our area. I am married and have three kids, but we are about to become empty nesters. A new phase in our lives...more time to travel???
A big “Thank You!” goes out to everyone who took time to nominate a person, business or organization for the WVCBA’s 2021 Oxnard Community & Business Awards. The Selection Committee met on July 15 and we are excited to announce this year’s honorees:
Distinguished Citizen of the Year – Michael Mercurio Michael Mercurio is an 80-year-old retired Marine veteran who founded Oxnard's Neighborhood Pride volunteer program. Over the last year, he has coordinated countless volunteer clean-ups across the city making Oxnard look cleaner, safer and better. He has been the organizer, field general, and worker bee providing consistent, nonstop volunteer hours, days, and weeks in his commitment to help the city improve its overall appearance. Oxnard would not have looked better over this last year if not for Michael’s dedication. Volunteer of the Year – René Corado René Corado was born in a small village in Guatemala. To help his family, he shined shoes after school starting at age 8. Because of 36 years of civil war in Guatemala, he came to the USA at the age of 21 with only a sixth-grade education and without speaking English. He has made a tremendous difference here in Ventura County, particularly through his decades of study of indigenous birds of the Santa Clara River Valley. Even during the pandemic, he continued to go to his field sites working with conservation groups doing habitat restoration. He served on the advisory board for the Extended Opportunity Program and Services for Oxnard College, and on the Art Commission of Oxnard. He is an example that education works and dreams can come true. Large Business of the Year – Goodwill Industries Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties goes above and beyond providing supportive and employment services to the Oxnard community and beyond. During the pandemic, they continued to support people with barriers to employment to find jobs and support their families. They provide services to veterans, people with disabilities, youth, single parents, people who need a second chance, and so much more. They do all this while operating as a large business that employs hundreds of people in the region. Their headquarters is right here in Oxnard. Small Business of the Year – Express Employment Professionals Express Employment Professionals was recently listed as one of the Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies in the tri-counties by the Pacific Coast Business Times. They have been in business for 15 years in Ventura County, with offices in Oxnard and Thousand Oaks. Owners and operators Neil and Janet McMillan work to supply local employers with exceptional recruiting, employment and professional staffing. They and their team support various nonprofits including Food Share of Ventura County, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Make-A-Wish, Spark of Love and Ventura County Rescue Mission. Best Place to Work of the Year – Regency Palms Oxnard To say Regency Palms Oxnard has put together a dynamic team is an understatement. It appears they all love going to work each day! Here are a few comments from their associates: "At Regency Palms, you are made to feel appreciated, you are made to feel like you add value to the business. I have been treated with gifts, accolades and praise on a consistent basis. It makes me love what I do even more because the company I do it for cares and appreciates me"; "Every employee, including management, continuously shows interest in bettering the level of care provided with training and team building to ensure a great quality of life in a free, fun, loving home environment"; and "Regency Palms gets to know you as a person and finds ways to show you they care about you based on your own interest or events occurring in your life. It's so refreshing to work for a company where you feel like you're not at work... you're home!" Congratulations to Executive Director Ken Mahler for creating the Best Place to Work. Young Professional of the Year – Brenda Heredia Brenda is a graduate of USC and a lifelong resident of Nyeland Acres. She currently works for the City of Oxnard. Brenda is a Board Member of Nyeland Promise where she provides leadership on how the organization is run, the programs that are provided, and other guidance. Ms. Heredia oversees social media for the organization and prepares its community newsletters. She developed successful social media outreach programs for the Census (2020), Covid Outreach (2021), and various food distribution events. She participated as a volunteer in "Feeding the Front Line" that started in 2020, and volunteers with Oxnard Student Success to help encourage other young Oxnard Union High School District students to continue their education by attending college. She helped develop a backpack distribution last year that provided more than 250 backpacks with school supplies to Oxnard students. She is a smart, thoughtful individual with a passion to help her community. Nonprofit Organization of the Year – Ventura County Rescue Mission The Ventura County Rescue Mission, which includes the Lighthouse for Women & Children, has been serving the county, and specifically Oxnard, for nearly 50 years. The mission of VCRM is to provide a place of refuge, recovery and restoration to our neighbors in need. The Mission offers meals, shelter and longer-term programs, including transitional housing for men experiencing homelessness, addiction or hunger. The Lighthouse is a haven for women and their children, and offers the same services. Job training, counseling and case management allows Ventura County Rescue Mission to offer a hand-up instead of a handout. Last year, they provided more than 49,700 nights of safe, warm and comfortable sleep for men, women and children. Innovative Business of the Year – SimpliPhi Power The concept of SimpliPhi Power started in 2001, when founder Stuart Lennox was working as a production designer for the film and television industry. He needed a cool-looking bicycle for a commercial shoot and thought the Lee Iacocca electric bike would be perfect. He then started wondering about its batteries and what other uses they might have. In 2010, Stuart teamed up with Catherine Von Burg, now SimpliPhi’s President and CEO, to leverage technology for use in a wide-range of business and consumer products. “Our drive was to bring the same power security and energy resiliency the film and television industry was enjoying to the residential and commercial markets. Whether on or off grid, people were expressing a desire to have more control of their own power, either for back-up security, peak-shaving, load shifting or the resultant cost-saving benefits from all the functions that efficient and safe energy storage afforded,” Catherine said. “Yet, we knew we had to keep things simple and user-friendly. So, we ensured our Optimized Energy Storage line was lightweight, non-toxic, maintenance-free and provided seamless integration with renewable power sources in conjunction with or independent of the grid." SimpliPhi Power units can be found all over the world, employed in a wide variety of applications. The company started in Ojai and is now headquartered in Oxnard. Oxnard Trophy – Anderson .Paak Grammy-winning artist Anderson .Paak has been selected by our Board of Directors to receive the Oxnard Trophy at the 71st Annual Community & Business Awards. The Oxnard Trophy is presented to a person, business or organization that has brought recognition to Oxnard and has bettered the community. From his 2018 album titled "Oxnard" to his efforts to save the Oxnard Performing Arts Center to becoming an honorary OPAC board member in May, we are sincerely thankful to him and his team for having such a positive impact on the Oxnard community. The Community & Business Awards luncheon emceed by Oxnard City Manager Alex Nguyen will be presented on Thursday, August 12, at 11:30 am at the Courtyard By Marriott in Oxnard. Registration is open and costs $60 per person, which includes lunch. Sponsorships are still available. To learn more, please visit https://bit.ly/OxCBAwards21. We recently welcomed Ryan Charlon Insurance & Financial Services as a member of the WVCBA community! From insurance for your life and home, to insurance for your cars and pets, they will ensure that you are armed with the appropriate information to make an informed decision. Learn more at www.mycamarilloagent.com.
What products or services do you provide?
What is your mission statement? Our mission is to help our State Farm customers insure against what can go wrong so they can invest in what can go right. What’s one thing the business is known for? I am a second generation State Farm Agent, proud father, blessed husband, grateful son, loyal friend, and a small business owner who wants to make a positive impact in the lives of my Customers, my Team, and my Community. I am very fortunate to say I enjoy what I do and have welcomed the personal and professional growth over my long tenure with State Farm. At the Ryan Charlon State Farm Agency we are well equipped to offer you any Insurance and Financial Services plan found in the marketplace today, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right fit for you. If you are looking for a local, State Farm office that takes the time to the understand what’s important to you, helps identify your specific goals and dreams, and arms you with the appropriate information so you can make an informed decision – this State Farm Agency is for you. We are Camarillo, Somis, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura County’s premier State Farm Agency. We are more than superior insurance protection, we are problem solvers. My Agency can help you plan and protect your family's financial future with a variety of Life Insurance options. My Team and I can ensure your Business and your Commercial vehicles are properly covered. We can assist in developing a personalized income coverage plan. Our office can insure your Cars, Motorcycles, Recreational Vehicles, Homeowners, Renters, Condo, Apartment, Boat, Jewelry, and even your Pets. We look forward to assisting you with your Insurance and Financial Service needs, whether it be in person, over the phone or online. #statefarmcamarillo #mycamarilloagent Why did you select Camarillo as your business location? Camarillo is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Ryan is happily married and has a 7-year-old son. Ryan’s wife works at the Naval Air Station, Point Mugu and their son attends a local elementary school with aspirations of becoming a sea doctor one day. Are there any new products you want to highlight? Banking: Invest in your future and help meet your goals with State Farm® Investment Planning Services. You’re offered a variety of account types and multiple investment products. Banking, your way. When, where, and how you want. When you're looking for help to achieve your financial goals, we want to be your first and best choice in Camarillo, CA. Thanks to an all-new alliance between U.S. Bank and State Farm®, now, you'll be able to apply for U.S. Bank Checking, Savings, CDs and Retirement CDs. Pet Insurance: When your pets need medical attention, the last thing you should worry about is cost. Unfortunately, many pet owners find themselves facing tough decisions about their dog or cat’s care. We’re here to help. State Farm works with Trupanion – a leader in high-quality pet medical insurance – to make it easier for pet owners to care for their furry family members. We recently welcomed Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers as a member of the WVCBA community! Located off of Rose Avenue in Oxnard, Raising Cane's is committed to being part of the community and strives to support the local schools and non-profit organizations to make a positive impact. Visit them online at www.raisingcanes.com.
What products or services do you provide? Fresh, never frozen, high quality Chicken Fingers Meals How and when did the business get started? Founded by Todd Graves in 1996 in Baton Rouge, La., RAISING CANE'S CHICKEN FINGERS has more than 550 Restaurants in 31 states and the Middle East with 75 new Restaurants and 20 new markets planned for 2021. The company has ONE LOVE®—quality chicken finger meals—and is continually recognized for its unique business model and customer satisfaction. Raising Cane’s vision is to grow Restaurants, serving our Customers, all over the world and be the brand for quality chicken finger meals, a great Crew, cool Culture and active Community involvement. In addition to being named the “Fastest Growing Chicken Chain” by Nation’s Restaurant News in 2020, Raising Cane’s was also named the #1 fast-casual restaurant for “Keeping Customers Safe.” What is the company's mission or motto? Fast, Fresh, Clean and Have Fun What’s one thing the business is known for over its competitors? High Quality, Fresh, never frozen chicken fingers, house-made cane's sauce and our fresh squeezed lemonade How can the community help the business? We would love to be connected to the community to support it and be an active participant in everything Oxnard. The Leadership Roundtable strives to achieve several goals during it's time including:
Why should a member join this committee? We encourage members to join this group as we learn from leadership expert John Maxwell’s books as well as learn from each other based on real-life business successes and struggles related to our discussion topic. We develop personal, business and referral relationships with like-minded local business leaders, and have access to local business leaders in an advisory board type format. What impact does this committee have within the Chamber and surrounding community? Maxwell’s thesis regarding leadership is that it is all about influence, so a focused roundtable discussion is an opportunity to learn, share and influence others to greater personal and business success and greater involvement and influence in our community. Another Maxwell thesis is that in order to grow our businesses, we need to grow ourselves which is the fundamental goal of our discussion roundtable - as we grow ourselves we grow our businesses, Chamber and community. Any upcoming events that a member or the community shouldn't miss? The Leadership Roundtable meets every third Tuesday of the month at 8am. Their next meeting is July 20. Register here: Leadership Roundtable One of our signature publications is our annual Business & Community Guide, a valuable resource for visitors, residents, and those interested in relocating to our area.
Advertising sales are open for the West Ventura County Business Alliance's 2021-22 Business & Community Guide. One of the many benefits of uniting the Oxnard and Camarillo Chambers of Commerce is that our two guides will become one publication that includes Oxnard and Camarillo, and will be distributed throughout both cities. From full-page ads and advertorials to enhancing your directory listing, there are options for every budget. Advertising sales are open until July 2 for the 2021-2022 edition and there are options to fit every budget. Ensure your business stands out in the directory by enhancing your listing, or put the spotlight on your business with a full-page color ads. There also are a limited number of "advertorials" available for which our team will work with you to develop a full-page feature article to advertise your business. Learn more about advertorials and view examples>> Prime advertising spots go fast, so don’t delay. Contact Cece Adame today to reserve your space. One of the exciting benefits of uniting the Oxnard and Camarillo chambers is opening up more committee opportunities for members. For many years, the Camarillo Chamber has had a Latinos in Business Committee, and members from the Oxnard Chamber are invited to participate.
The chair of the committee is Yaretd Alcantara of Glamour Studio and the vice chair is Heaven Luna of Luna Beauty & Wellness. The committee meets the first Wednesday of every month at 9:00 am. For now, you may visit the Camarillo Chamber's website to view the event calendar and register for upcoming meetings. What are the goals of this committee? The purpose of our committee is to provide education, mentorship, and networking in order to prompt the growth of business and foster entrepreneurship. Why should a member join this committee? According to the 2019 estimates by U.S. Census Bureau, about 43% of Ventura County and about 26% of the 70,000 population of Camarillo are Latinos. It is important to broaden our networks and knowledge and be involved with our community. You do not have to be Latino or speak Spanish to join. We welcome all! What impact does this committee have within the Chamber and surrounding community? We provide education, mentorship, and networking in order to create a bridge amongst members and our local Hispanic Market. At its meeting on Monday, April 12, the Oxnard Chamber's Business Advocacy Committee (BAC) received an update from with lobbyist Fred Main on California politics and legislation straight from Sacramento. Main is a partner with Clear Advocacy LLC and provides services to the Tri-County Chambers Alliance, which covers Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Despite the focus on reopening the state, legislators are busy processing about 2.000 bills that were introduced this year. Legislation seems to be moving faster through the Capitol this year, according to Main.
Other items of discussion included:
The next virtual BAC meeting is Monday, May 10, at noon. All members are welcome to attend; those who want to advocate for the rights of local businesses are invited to join the committee. Contact Nancy Lindholm for the meeting dial-in information. One of the exciting benefits of uniting the Oxnard and Camarillo chambers is opening up more committee opportunities for members. For many years, the Camarillo Chamber has had a Women in Business Committee, and women professionals from the Oxnard Chamber are invited to participate.
The chair of the committee is Jay Ziebart of Plant Based for Life and the vice chair is Erin Samaniego of Mind Master. The committee meets the third Wednesday of every month at noon. For now, you may visit the Camarillo Chamber's website to view the event calendar and register for upcoming meetings. What are the goals of this committee? The Women in Business Committee is dedicated to empowering women to thrive professionally and personally and to create opportunities for women to work together and build relationships that will improve the economic vitality and quality of life in our region. Why should a member join this committee? To connect with women professionals in the community and participate in planning and discussions for fulfilling the WIB committee mission. Women are a powerful force when they work together. Supporting other women in their path to success helps all women succeed! What impact does this committee have within the Chamber and surrounding community? The Women in Business Committee is focused not just on networking, but in elevating women business owner’s knowledge. An increase in knowledge benefits everyone through increased efficiency and effectiveness in serving the community. We continued to connect women professionals throughout the pandemic from the very beginning and did not miss one month of networking. Our events provide connection and information that fulfill our mission. We recently welcomed B & B Mensch Security, Inc. as a member of the Oxnard Chamber community!
The Thousand Oaks-based business is a veteran-owned consultant and management security company that is fully insured and licensed in California. They provide unarmed/armed uniformed agents and plain clothes agents, and specialize in Executive Protection, Estate/Residential Protection, Religious Institutions, Corporate Offices/Property, and Events. Visit their website to find out more. What products or services do you provide? Unarmed and armed uniformed or plain clothes security agents How and when did the business get started? Our security company initiated at the end of December 2019 but our cadre has an extensive 30+ years of experience in the security sector and military background which we have transition our expertise into the civilian security sector. What is the company's mission or motto? Our commitment is to surpass your expectations with transparency and we are determined to protect the livelihoods you cherish with little to no disruptions. So, you can focus on what matters to you most. What’s one thing the business is known for over its competitors? We believe in quality not quantity. We provide trained and certified security agents. Not discarding the fact that we are an equal opportunity company that also provides training or commits to keep their guards trained year-round and as a result our clients receive quality services for a hassle-free lifestyle. Are there any new or upcoming projects/products/events/etc. you can tell us about? Our CEO is currently taking extensive training on surviving, being proactive and reactive to an active shooter situation. By the beginning of July 2021, we should have an established training to offer our clients and any other facilities that are interested in this type of training. How can the our community help the business? The community can help us by making everyone aware that we will soon offer active shooter training and it’s very difficult to promote this because no one likes to think of the fact that this could happen, but we need to be proactive not reactive. But, if needing to be reactive, what is the proper way to do so. We won't be able to save lives that could have been saved if this training would of been taken by more individuals prior to being in this type of devastating events. What else should potential clients/customers know? The purpose of our company is to help others by providing security services but also help those who are less fortunate and cannot afford security. As a supplement, we can give educational trainings for survival in case they are in a life-threatening situation. On March 22, the membership of the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce voted (nearly unanimously) to unite with the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce and form the West Ventura County Business Alliance (WVCBA). WVCBA will be the voice for the interest of business with government, promote economic development, work to improve the regional economy, and protect the interests of the two communities.
Talks of the two organizations joining forces have been ongoing for many years, but not so earnestly until 2020. "We came very close to an agreement last year, and then one of the pieces didn't fit correctly in the overall puzzle," says Oxnard Chamber CEO Nancy Lindholm. "We were able to adjust a few details in the first quarter of 2021, so now we are very close to finalizing the unification of the two chambers. We are excited about the strong, united voice we will be for business as the WVCBA." With nearly 1,000 members that employ more than 60,000 individuals, WCVBA will provide a much larger audience for its members who rely on networking and word of mouth advertising to grow their businesses. Other entities that find display advertising beneficial will also see an increase in exposure. Collectively, there will be many more opportunities for involvement, and some members will benefit by investing only in one organization, versus two chambers. Operationally, members will not see immediate changes. Both chambers will continue to operate "as is" for the foreseeable future. The combined boards of directors will guide the WVCBA as it evolves over time. "Our vision is to reduce duplication of overhead and operating costs so we can service our member investors at a higher level," adds Lindholm, who will assume the position of President and CEO of the Alliance. Joining her team are CeCe Adame, Director of Membership; Jovie Baclayon, Communications Manager; Bailey Huerta, Marketing and Social Media Manager; and Sharen Strong, Director of Member Services. Details will be worked out in the coming months, including overlapping memberships, integrating databases, boards of directors, signature events, and more, and logo and website development. Members of both organizations will be informed of progress along the way. OPCF will support community outreach and programs for OPD’s personnel and family members A group of community members have come together with the Oxnard Police Department to form the Oxnard Police Community Foundation (OPCF). The goal of the independent 501(c)(3) non-profit is to enhance public safety in the City of Oxnard by providing financial support to the Oxnard Police Department. The OPCF will support critical programs that are not funded by the City of Oxnard, such as community engagement events and peer support following traumatic work-related incidents. “I’m very excited to partner with the Foundation to make Oxnard safer and stronger. With the Foundation’s support of our community events, we will continue to increase trust and respect,” said Police Chief Jason Benites. “The Foundation’s support for officer wellness will allow us to better care for our officers, dispatchers, and support staff that protect and serve in this difficult and challenging profession.” Policing through community engagement and partnerships is one of the ways the Oxnard Police Department is helping to reduce crime while making lasting connections between law enforcement and the public. Many communities across the country are forming nonprofit foundations to bridge funding gaps and assist law enforcement in acquiring the tools not covered in the regular budget. “We hope the Foundation will help improve the quality of life for everyone in our Oxnard community by encouraging positive contacts between the police and residents and fostering programs and initiatives to enhance public safety in Oxnard,” stated Stacy Miller, Chair of the Board of Directors. We hope the community will consider becoming a partner today and supporting this worthwhile effort. - Chief Jason Benites The OPCF is guided by a Board of Directors composed of community members and sworn police personnel. The Board works with the leadership of the Oxnard Police Department to ensure the Foundation’s priorities and objectives align with those of the Department. The Board Executive Committee includes Stacy Miller, President, Carey Everhart, Vice President and Delia Campbell, Chief Financial Officer. Board Members include Jason Benites, Chief of Police and Luis McArthur, Police Commander.
For more information about the Oxnard Police Community Foundation please contact Paul Carganilla at (805) 385-7631. To donate please visit us online at OPDFoundation.org. Donors can also send a check made payable to: Oxnard Police Community Foundation 3600 South Harbor Boulevard #152 Oxnard, CA 93035 The Chamber’s Business Advocacy Committee met yesterday (March 8) to address a plethora of issues. The BAC examines issues in depth and makes position recommendations to the Chamber Board when applicable. This month’s agenda included hearing about the Ventura County Airports master plan process, an update on Oxnard’s Navigation Center (homeless shelter and services), an update on the city’s cannabis permit processing, and a status report on the city’s 5-year priorities setting process.
Ventura County Airports The County of Ventura Department of Airports in embarking on a master plan study of what should happen with the Camarillo and Oxnard airports. The planning project will take place over the next 12 to 18 months with plenty of input from the public. Ventura County’s airports contribute nearly $3 million to our economy every year. Oxnard’s Navigation Center The city of Oxnard is moving forward with the development of a 5-story Navigation Center in downtown Oxnard to provide services, shelter, and transitional housing for our homeless population. The city has owned the property at Second and B Streets for many years. Funding for redeveloping the site will come from a number our sources, but not from the city’s general fund. Retail Cannabis Last week, the city released the successful retail cannabis applicants list. There are 16 “winners.” Of the 16, three are local equity applicants. Each successful applicant will have one year to obtain their operating permit. The Chamber has been a strong advocate for the city to establish and maintain dedicated staff to process the cannabis permits as swiftly as possible. This will not only assure the retailers can commence business, but will benefit the city’s coffers as they begin to collect fees from those businesses. Oxnard's 5-year Priorities Finally, the BAC got a status report on the city’s 5-year priorities setting process. The city launched a survey for residents and businesspeople to complete. The results were shared with the city council at a special meeting on February 25. The council members added specific projects to the categories that were established. (see image below for results about economic development). The process will continue at the March 16 council meeting. Participation on the Business Advocacy Committee is open to all Chamber members. To receive meeting notices and the logon information, please contact Nancy Lindholm (n.lindholm@oxnardchamber.org). By Curtis Dubay, Senior Economist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce In a year full of economic data outliers, personal income stands out. It is supposed to fall during periods of economic contraction and remain down for some time after. And yet, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ release of income in January, it is now more than 12% higher than it was pre-pandemic. Keep in mind, the economy was doing really well back then. The tremendous rise in income is stunning. By the numbers: Driving the year-over-year increase was a 10% increase in January alone. That is the second highest monthly increase on record, coming in behind only a 12.4% increase in April 2020. The economy is doing well, all things considered, and the underlying data show that. Wages and salaries of workers rose $7.2 billion, or 0.7%, in January compared to December. In normal times, this would be a large increase. The overwhelming reason income jumped so much last month was government transfers though. They rose $140 billion, representing more than 86% of the total monthly increase. The government transfers were almost all the latest round of pandemic relief payments, the $600 per person checks that mostly went out in January. Supplemental unemployment insurance benefits also contributed to the rise in income. They increased about $20 billion in January. Higher income lead to a 2.4% increase in spending, after consecutive declines in November and December. Spending should continue to rise because Americans were unable to spend all the additional income last month. Savings increased $328 billion in January alone. Americans have compiled more than $1.8 trillion in savings above normal in the last 11 months. Those savings are available to boost spending in the coming months. Looking ahead: February is likely to see a pullback in income because of the end of the relief payments, but March could see another strong rebound if Congress passes another round of payments it is considering now. The economy is poised for major growth starting in earnest when vaccines drive the virus to levels that allow close-to-full reopening. Last month, the Chamber's Business Advocacy Committee finalized its 2021 legislative issues policy, which was subsequently adopted by the Chamber's Board of Directors. This policy is intended to be a guide for the Chamber's positions on various legislative and policy matters. It is not intended to cover all issues that the Chamber may address.
Jobs: Support a commitment to pursuing policies that create and retain a balance of job opportunities for a variety of businesses and employees, including encouraging high-paying jobs that strengthen the local economy. Economic Development: Support local, state and federal proposals to provide jobs via infrastructure projects and encourage government to utilize local contractors and suppliers. Support the city of Oxnard's efforts to assure fiscal responsibility, and to fill any financing gap resulting from the elimination of state and federal funding. Support federal legislation to decriminalize cannabis or reclassify it as a lower than "Schedule I" drug to allow the industry to establish normal banking relationships. Employment:
Health and Public Safety: Support federal, state and local programs that provide services, clean shelter and transitional housing for the homeless population. Support funding and programs to enhance disaster planning and responses. Housing: Support strategies that include promoting a full range of housing in all communities; support federal and state incentives for providing workforce housing; and reform the regulatory framework to eliminate unnecessary barriers to providing housing. Support efforts to assure neighboring communities provide adequate housing for their workforces. Support housing strategies and projects that maintain a healthy jobs/housing balance. Governance: Support significant reforms to California's political process as well as the state's revenue structure; support state and local governments' efforts to achieve or maintain balanced budgets.
Infrastructure: Support policies that encourage continuing improvement in California and local infrastructure, which supports stronger businesses and job growth.
Immigration Reform: Support reforms of federal immigration laws that assure an adequate workforce while addressing border security and the status of undocumented workers. Local Initiatives: Support a healthy business growth and land use environment and oppose local initiatives that would unduly constrict business attraction, development and expansion. International Trade: Support trade and tourism initiatives to spur commerce and to maximize our region's position in the global economy. Public Safety: Support enhanced public safety efforts and preserve funding for existing programs and staffing. Public safety should be a top priority for local government. |